Thomas Bevan was born 1801 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, England

he married Mary BEAVEN, also born about 1801 when thy were 20

They had 8 (known) children in Whitchurch and on Saturday the 10th October 1840 they all set sail on the LADY NUGENT and emigrated to New Zealand.

After three months at sea, on the 6th January 1841, Mary gave birth to a boy whom she name Nugent. He lived for only 9 days.

Six weeks later, on the 27th February, the ship ran short of water so put into the Port at Hobart, Tasmania - it was anchored for 19 days.

During that time, on the 4th March 1841 her son Henry died, he was 12 years old - not known why he died, but there were cases of Typhus on board..??

Just 3 days before the ship again set sail on its final leg to New Zealand, Mary died.

Thomas was to live for another 40 years
As his trade was rope making, Thomas set up a rope walk at Te Aro.
In 1844 some of the immigrants took doubtful possession of land in the upper Hutt Valley.
The Maori owners resented this, so, led by Rangihaeata, resisted and the Hutt Valley War began.
This created a shortage of flax so Thomas went to Waikawa and set up his rope walk there, leaving the children in Wellington, apparently in the care of his capable daughter Margaret ... read more at his link above