Samuel Williams, (1819-29/6/1883). "the oldest inhabitant"

Samuel Williams, the oldest inhabitant of Timaru, died yesterday afternoon. It was understood that he was ill, but no one believed the end to be so near.  -South Canterbury Times, 30/6/1883.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THB Friends of the late Samuel Williams are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave his late Residence, William street, on MONDAY, the 2nd July, at 3 p.m. 

J. B. BBECKINGHAM, Undertaker.  -South Canterbury Times, 30/6/1883.

"THE OLDEST INHABITANT."

This afternoon the remains of Samuel Williams, the oldest inhabitant of Timaru, were consigned to the grave. He was an American by birth, and came to the colony a great many years ago, and was for some time in the employ of Messrs Rhodes in North Canterbury. Coming down to this district he established a whaling station in the vicinity of Dashing Rocks, afterwards shifting his quarters to Patiti Point. Returning to his former employers he described the district as so excellent a field for settlement, that the Messrs Rhodes immediately came down and secured depasturing licenses for large tracts of country. Other stockowners followed, and the country was very soon numerously occupied. The Messrs Rhodes did not fail to assist their old servant who assisted so largely in founding their fortunes. They gave him more than one good start in the world, building for him the Timaru Hotel, and afterwards the Club, and placing him on the high road to prosperity. He married a second time, and his domestic relations not turning out happy, be became somewhat reckless in his mode of life, and of late years lived on the verge of destitution. He died on Friday last, of general break-up of the constitution. Mr Renshaw, a well-known resident, immediately collected among such of the old identities as were inclined to assist, a sum of money sufficient to defray the expense of burial, and everything was done that the long services of the settler seemed to demand. Deceased resided of late in a hut in William street.  -South Canterbury Times, 2/7/1883.

Timaru Cemetery.