Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Sturm was born in 1809 in Austria.
1,2,3,4 He and
Hinerakau (Henriette) Pakapuka Tiarere were married in Wairoa, NZ. He died on 23 May 1896, at age ~87, in West Clive, Napier, NZ, senility bronchitis.
1 Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Sturm was a naturalist, interpreter, nursery owner, botanist.
1 Tutor to J W STACK 1845 DNZB 411
Am trying to track down information regarding Maria Sturm the daughter of Frederich and Henriette. Maria married a Benjamin Glass(my g g uncle). If you have any information regarding this couple please advise by return email. Many thanks Rose transportpyne@xtra.co.nz
settled in Mahia, initially as a supervisor of a whaling station. He moved to Napier in 1865.
DNZB Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Sturm was born in Germany or Austria, probably in 1810 or 1811, the son of an army officer. His mother's name was Eliza Kuhne. According to family tradition Sturm received his education at court and became an apprentice gardener. In the 1830s he was a member of a botanical expedition to England, South Africa, India, China and Australia. After visiting the Swan River in western Australia, Sturm left the expedition in Sydney in 1838. He came to New Zealand on the Harlequin in 1839, calling at Nelson and Wellington before landing at Ahuriri (Napier) on 2 August.
Sturm soon went to Nukutaurua on the Mahia peninsula, where he lived on and off for some years. About 1840 he formed a liaison with Ani Hinetai, a high-born Maori, who died giving birth to their daughter, Elizabeth, in 1842. From Nukutaurua Sturm 'wandered about', making various journeys 'in search of curiosities'. He collected botanical specimens and planted seeds as he travelled.
In the late 1840s or early 1850s Sturm settled at Nuhaka with Henriette Puke Puke (or Tiarere). They had four sons (two of whom died as children) and one daughter. Sturm imported five cows and a bull from Sydney, and leased 1,000 acres. He planted orchards and vineyards, but had no liking for pastoral farming. By 1851 he was acting as an interpreter in the Native Land Court and travelled frequently to Napier. Henriette died in August 1859 and Sturm moved his family to Napier. He immigrated to from Sydney to Napier via Nelson and Wellington on the Harlequin arriving 2 aug 1839 in 1839.
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