James BULL [2394]

  General Notes:

James Bull arrived in N.Z. as a carpenter on the Indian Queen in 1856/7, subsequently banker and storekeeper and gave his name to the town of Bulls. Married Christina Scott daughter of Thomas Scott, one of the earliest pioneers of Rangitikei; arrived in N.Z. in 1837, subsequently of Scotts Ferry.

Name: James Bull
Marriage Year: 1859
Marriage Place: New Zealand
Spouse: Christina Scott
Folio Number: 59/228

Bulls Founder Recalled
The 69th anniversary of the death of one of the most remarkable men in Rangitikei's memory fell the other day. On July 13, 1920, James Bulls died in his 88th year in London. He was the founder of township of Bulls who first made his work in the Rangitikei in 1858. Bulls owed a lot to its founder. Not only James Bull set up the first business in area in 1859, but he also employed many local residents in the varied enterties he founded, as well as serving on the s Town Board and Rangitikei County Council. And after he returned to England to live he donated land in his township for several important local facilities.
James Bull was 26 when he left Plymouth in November 1856 to sail for New Zealand. Back home in Chelsea he had been a carpenter, who was so skilled that he was engaged to carve much of the panelling in the new Houses of Parliament at Westminster. At the time he landed from the Indian Queen in Wellington early in 1857 he had capital of only a few shillings, but most importantly he owned a jack plane and immediately he found a job as a carver in the new Provincial Government buildings in Wellington, where his first task to build the Speaker's chair.
At this time Thomas Scott, the ferryman the mouth of the Rangitikei River, needed to build a new ferry house and James Bull gained the contract, in 1859 he and his mate, Richard (Dick) . . . . ., set out for Scott's Ferry
To start with in those days the only routes to the Rangitikei district from Wellington were by foot along the coastal beach. Bull and . . . . . joined the many foot travellers trekked the "beach highway" along the beachs. On their arrival they built Tom Scott's new accommodation house, the Fern Hotel [?], on the Wanganui side of the Rangitikei River. While working on the ferry contract Bull met Tom and Annie Scott's daughter, Christina and married her in the same year,
He and Dick . . . . . moved inland where Bull was very impressed by the fine stands of native timber on the "Kilieymoon" property of Captain Edward Daniell, from Cornwall, who had settled in the area in 1855. He promptly leased a piece of land on the edge of the bush from the Cornishman, and built a whare, which he turned into a general store. At that time the nearest store was that of his father-in-law, Tom, at his ferry house, and there was another operated by George Franklin at Turakina, opened in 1857. So Bull's first commercial enterprise was soon rewarded. As his first intention had been to mill timber near Captain Daniell's land, he set up a mill behind his shop. This store was on the site now occupied by Clifton House Furnishing Ltd in High St. Bulls
James Bull's store became the local Post Office on July 1, 1861, named Middle Rangitikei by the PO authorities. It was also a liquor store. Marton historian J W (John) Marshall noted that in 1862, "At one end of the store you bought grociers, boots, etc, at the other a glass of rum or beer". 1866 was another landmark year for James Bull. In October Captain Daniell subdivided part of "Killeymoon" as a town-ship. The sections sold for "fabulous prices", according to one report at the time. The price was 30 pounds each. Bull bought widely on the section, market. One figure quoted was 100 acres. With plenty of timber available Bull became a building contractor, and soon his teams were busy constructing homes in Bulls and the nearby district. In 1866 he built the first Rangitikei Hotel, and Fred Green became the first hotelkeeper. In the same year he built the Tutaenui Hotel, later to become the White Hart when Tutaenui's name was changed to Marton in 1869. Bull's timber was in high demand in and outside the district, so he set up a staging station at Turakina and sent large quantities of milled timber to Wanganui, where building was moving fast. At the start of the settlement it was known as Daniell's Bush, though later going under the postal name of Middle Rangitikei. By the middle 1860s the name of Clifton was being bandied about because some settlers wanted to commemorate the immigrant ship of that name, which had arrived in New Zealand in 1841.
James Bull had a leading hand in many enterprises in the settlement. By this time he was postmaster, storekeeper, victualler, timber miller and wagoner. James Wilson (later Sir James) commented in 1910: "Mr Bull's business became much extended, and as the road was completed to Wanganui he was able to send great quantities of timber into Wanganui and bring back loading. "For a Cockney", said Mr Wilson, "Mr Bull must have soon acquired a wonderful eye for a horse, for it was a fine sight to see these teams driven by Dan Coughlin and Billy Poad start for Wanganui." More names for the growing township came in vogue, including Taumaki and Bulltown. Some residents favoured Rangitikei in 1871, and sent this choice to the Government, which replied by asking the locals to select another name. Since James Bull owned so much property and controlled so many business operations it was inevitable that the village was referred to as "Bull's", as if it were his possession. So this name was proposed, found acceptable by the Government, and was officially adopted in 1872. James Bull also became a farmer, leasing a large acreage at Ohakea, across the river, where he established "Pukenui" farm. In later years this property was bought by Bert Vile, and in the late 1930s was purchased by the Government for an airfield. It's now known as Ohakea RNZAF Base. In spite of his wide business interests and growing affluence James Bull was a generous man, with a fine community spirit. At various times he donated valuable areas of land for public use. These included three acres overlooking the Rangitikei River as a site for the Rangitikei Hospital, which was built in 1875. Also in the early 1879s he gave land for the Bulls Town Hall; After he disposed of his "Pukenui" farm James Bull decided to return to England to live around 1900, and made his home in London. He retained his affection for the town he had founded. He had already donated. land for the town's Post Office, and in 1908 another land gift was made for the Bulls Public Library. In 1919 he gave a house and land for the Bulls Bowling Club green In Criterion Street. After his death was announced in 1920 a public memorial service was held in Bulls to honour him, for which a large congregation gathered in the Town Hall. Acknowledging James Bull's generosity of spirit and character, the Chairman of the Bulls Town Board, J E (Johnny) Walker said: "The late gentleman was a Britisher first and always. He was one of that splendid band of pioneers of whom we cannot think but with pride. . . he set an example that might be well emulated by all of us and we who had the privilege of knowing him regret his demise. Even earlier, at the opening of the present Bulls Town Hall in 1910, Jamie Wilson said: "After all his strenuous life I never heard anyone say that Mr Bull had ever attempted to take advantage of any one. He was a white man in every sense the word, and many a lame dog he had helped over the stile."
Ref: Unidentified newspaper article.

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me JAMES BULL at present residing at No 1 Albion Road Clapham in the county of London 20 January 1919.
1. I appoint Arthur Kinton Green Herbert Everard Green and Rudolph Klickman all of Clapham (who and the survivors of whom and the executors or administrators of such survivor are hereinafter called "my trustees") to be the EXECUTORS AND TRUSTEES of this my will I give the following pecuniary legacies videlicet three thousand pounds to such of the daughters of my late sister Margaret Green namely Polly Sarah and Alice as shall be living at the date of my death and if more than one in equal shares Three hundred pounds to the said Arthur Kinton Green two hundred pounds to the said Herbert Everard Green and I release and forgive to him or to his representatives if he should die in my lifetime all and every principal sums or sum of money and interest whatsoever which may be owing from him or them to me at my decease two thousand pounds to such of the daughters of my late sister Sarah Walters namely Florence and Ada as shall be living at my death and if more than one in equal shares Five hundred pounds to Maud Baker another daughter of my said late sister Sarah Walters now in New Zealand eight hundred pounds to Henry Walters a son of my said late sister Sarah Walters two hundred pounds to William Walters the younger (Nigger) another son of my said late sister Sarah Walters and I release and/forgive to the said William Walters the younger or to his representatives if he should die in my lifetime all and every principal sum or suns and interest whatsoever which may be owing from him or them to me, at my decease One hundred pounds to Arthur Walters (now in Canada) another son of the said Sarah Walters Five hundred pounds to William Walters Senior One hundred pounds each to the widow and three daughters of my late brother Alexander Bull Two hundred pounds to James Bull son of my said late brother Alexander Bull Five hundred pounds to Jane Stevens a daughter, of my late brother George Bull and in the event of the said Jane Stevens predeceasing me then I give the said sum of five hundred pounds to such of her children who being sons attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters shall attain that age or marry and if more than one in equal shares live hundred pounds to Susan Johnston daughter of my said late brother George Bull three hundred pounds to William Bull and Henry Bull sons of my said late brother George Bull in equal shares and in the event of either or both of them predeceasing me then I give the share of any such deceased nephew to such of his children who being sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters shall attain that age or marry and if more than one in equal shares Six thousand pounds to Alice Elisabeth Bull a daughter of my late brother Edward Bull and all the principal moneys and interest which shall be due or owing or accruing due to me at the time of my death on I J Martins mortgage and three hundred pounds to Doris Irene Bull of Sydney New South Wales three hundred pounds to each of the following persons namely Kitty wife of the said Arthur Kinton Green Annie wife of the said Herbert Everard Green Hepsibah wife of the said Henry Walters and Elizabeth wife of the said William Walters the younger One thousand pounds to Edith Walters widow of the late Harold Walters Three hundred pounds to Mrs Mary (Polly) Glidden living at Plymouth. and in the event of her predeceasing me then I give the said sum of three hundred pounds between such of her children who being sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters shall attain that age or marry and if more than one in equal shares Two hundred pounds to Louey Brace the daughter of Jane Saunders one hundred pounds to Miss Annie Mandell of Tywardwreath Cornwall five hundred pounds to Dr Barnardos Homes five hundred pounds to the Church of Englard Incorporated Society for providing Homes for Waifs and Strays Five hundred pounds to the Clapham Pensions Society Three hundred pounds Home of Rest for Horses at Acton Five hundred pounds to the Young Women Christian Association Five hundred pounds to the Young Mens Christian Association Four hundred pounds to the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital three hundred pounds to the Crippled Boys Home Kensington Five hundred pounds to the Salvation Army Five hundred pounds to the Hospital for Sick Children Great Ormond Street Five hundred pounds to the East London Hospital for Children Shadwell Five hundred pounds to the Charing Cross Hospital Five hundred pounds to the Church Amy Two hundred and fifty pounds to the Training Ships "Arethusa" and "Chichester", Two hundred pounds to the Infants Asylum Wanstsead two hundred pounds to the Dunford Cottage Homes Reigate two hundred and fifty pounds to St Dunstans Institute for Blinded Sailors and Soldiers and two hundred and fifty pounds to Lord Roberts Workshops
And I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or other proper official for the time being of the said respective societies and institutions shall be a sufficient discharge for the said respective legacies And I declare that if owing to any error or negligence or ambiguity in the names or descriptions in my will of any of the said societies or institutions or from any other cause any question shall arise as to what particular society or institution is intended by me to be benefited by any of the said charitable legacies the decision of my trustese shall be absolutely final and binding on all parties concerned I give to each of my trustees who shall prove my will and act in the execution of the trusts thereof the up of fifty pounds I give to James Bull Junior my shares in the Mirimar Land Company give to my trustees who must communicate with my present attorney Norman St George Gorton of Fielding Wellington New Zealand and my agents the Bank of New South Wales at Bulls all the rest of my property in New Zealand upon the following trusts namely to call in or transfer all outstanding mortgages to sell my shares in the Wellington Meat Company also the house lately occupied by Mrs John Scott and the two adjoining plots of land and any other property in New Zealand And out of the moneys to arise thereout after paying paying all duties and expenses in connection with the winding up of my New Zealand property to pay the following legacies videlicet To Mrs Atty Fitz Herb two hundred pounds and to each of her three daughters who shall survive me one hundred pounds To Miss Hilda Higgie of Wanganni one hundred pounds which I desire the said Hilda Higgie to apply for the use of Mrs Mackay nee Elisabeth Scott To E Lovett twenty pounds and to his daughter Patsy five pounds and I declare that my trustees shall hold the residue of the said moneys upon such and the like trusts as are hereinafter declared of and concerning my residuary estate I give devise and bequeath all the residue of my property of whatsoever nature or kind unto the use of my trustees upon trust to sell call in and convert into money the same or such part thereof as shall not consist of money and with and out of the moneys arising from such sale calling in and conversion and my ready money to pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and the legacies bequeathed by this my will or any codicil thereto and all duties on all the foregoing legacies which I declare Shall be paid free of duty And I direct that my trustees shall stand possessed of the residue of the said moneys Upon trust as to one third equal part thereof to divide the same equally between and amongst the legatees other than the charitable legatees hereinbefore named and as to one other equal third part thereof to divide the same equally between and among the charities to which legacies are hereinbefore given and as to the remaining one equal third part thereof to pay and divide the same to and between such charitable institutions as my trustees may in their absolute uncontrolled discretion without being answerable for the exercise of such discretion think fit but especially among charitable institutions for helpless and incurable persons and for the welfare of children I express a wish but without creating any trust that the said Alice Elizabeth Bull will if she survives me leave as much as possible to charities as those persons who have food raiment and households will not require more than they have
I revoke all wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last will
IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January one thousand nine hundred and nineteen JAMES BULL
Signed by the testator the said James Bull as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
H GAMBRER HOWE 101 Leadenhall St E C Solr
A E BRUCE Clerk to Waltons & Co 101 Leadenhall Street London E C 3 Solicitors

No 1 Albion Road Clapham Surrey CODICIL to my will dated 20th January 1919
First I devise two hundred pounds to Margaret Green and fifty pounds each to the three daughters of Arthur Kinton Green of Clapham and fifty pounds to May Perrin, now of Clapham I desire upon my demise that the mortgage from James Bull Junior of Hunterville New Zealand to myself be annulled upon payment by the said James Bull Junior of the sum of six thousand pounds in total liquidation of the said mortgage the said sum of six thousand pounds to be paid to Bank of New South Wales for remittences to the bank of New South Wales London England for the use of my executors to defray all Legacies and liabilities incurred by my will of above date but should a less sum than six thousand be sufficient then James Bull to have the benefit of such sum I desire that my executors use their own Judgment in regard to any legacy to Susan Johnson my idea is to invest the sum in some institution so that she could get the interest and also draw part of capital nearly say £25. 0 .0 the first year and increase as the interest becomes less
Signed by James Bull and two witnesses we being all three together
JAMES BULL
March First 1920
MARGARET MARY GREEN 1 Albion Rd Clapham SW
ALICE ELIZABETH BULL 1 Albion Rd Clapham
Affidavit of due execution filed
On the 6th day of OCTOBER 1920 Probate of this will with one codicil thereto was granted to.Arthur Kington Green Herbert Everard Green and Rudolph Frederick August Klickmann the executors

Bull James of 1 Albion Rd, Clapham Surrey died 13 July 1920 Probate London 6 October 1922 Arthur Kington Green builder Herbert Everard Green of no occupation and Rudolph Frederick August Klickman of no occupation.
Effects £50,144 16s 9d
National Probate Calendar.

  Research Notes:

Township of Bulls
For quite some time the site destined to become Bulls township was known as "Daniell's Bush". In 1855 Captain Edward Daniell established "Killeymoon Homestead" in the middle of the area which encompassed the future Bulls and up to Curls bridge. In 1870s early settlers gave the name of "Bulls" to their town, named after James Bull, the carpenter from Chelsea in London who made his way to New Zealand in 1857 and progressed from leasing a 5 acre section from Daniell to founding a whole town. Mr Rangi Reweti was the first Maori member elected in 1968, to the Bulls County Town Committee, although Bulls became a township in 1873 nearly 100 years earlier.
Ref: https://www.rangitikei.govt.nz/district/about-rangitikei/history-1

James spouse unknown Christina SCOTT [28085] [MRIN: 789], daughter of Thomas SCOTT [28090] and Ann WILSON [28091], on 8 Jun 1859 in NZ. (Christina SCOTT [28085] died on 10 Apr 1878 in NZ.)