Descendants honour ‘free person of colour’
Whangape Marae hosted an unveiling over Anniversary Weekend.
No ordinary unveiling, as the person honoured had died more than 102 years before.
Not one of those attending had known Isaac Henry Johnson, but so many knew of him.
He, like others, began life in a distant land. Many of those who arrived in the 1860s were seeking a better life, or were simply encouraged to leave their homeland. Enticement was not uncommon, but this was not the case for Isaac Henry Johnson.
As a young man he was taken on as an articled seaman. He sailed from Gravesend, London, in September 1862 aboard the sailing ship Cairngorm, under the command of Captain Hugh Auld.
The journey was not uneventful, as Isaac found himself serving a sentence of seven days’ hard labour in Auckland’s jail after arriving on January 6, 1853. His crime was ‘refusal of duties’. The reason for his failure to obey orders was that he was being picked on, simply because he was “coloured”. That is what he believed. His descendants now number more than 460, and while they may have some sympathy for his plight they are also be grateful, for his trials and tribulations led them to a free life.
It is believed that Isaac was a citizen of the UK because of England’s involvement in the slave trade. The defeat of the Spanish by the English meant slave numbers increased dramatically as the sugar industry boomed.
Vast numbers of Africans were captured and transported to the plantations, as the industry was reliant on free labour.
Isaac was born on the Fontainbleau plantation in Portland, Jamaica, around 1848. In New Zealand he was classed as “negro” — “a person of colour” was a more delicate description.
Much of his life is well documented, but there are gaps. His early years are unknown, but he never returned to his homeland.
It cannot be assumed that his parents were of slave stock. Were his parents/grandparents transported? We don’t know.
It is common knowledge that many children were born of mixed parentage. It is possible too that he was one of those whose parents were “free people of colour”. Before slavery was abolished, some slaves were given their freedom.
Where did Isaac
fit? His background can be romanticised, but no one knows. Some of his life remains a mystery.
After his death in 1915 it was realised just how little was known about him. Five years’ research produced some amazing facts that eventually led to the need to pay tribute to this stranger to our country.
He made his home at Whangape, and that is where he died.
Tribute must be paid to the willingness of the many Whangape locals who wholeheartedly embraced the concept of honouring Isaac, who became one of them simply by being there. The community’s involvement was so humbling, and his descendants came to understand so much more as they listened to those who spoke with passion and sincerity, not only about Isaac but also about their little patch of New Zealand, and above all memories of their tupuna.
It is little wonder that Isaac chose to live out his twilight years in a place surrounded by all he could have wished for. None of those who attended the unveiling knew what sort of send-off he received in 1915, but the hakari that marked the end of his journey, to finally say “Well done Isaac, rest easy,” was beyond compare.
There were many memorable moments, like wading through cool water to climb aboard waiting craft to fizz to the other side, and the very moving service conducted by Bev Smith, whose parents, Rangi and Ann Smith, lived at Manukau. Like many others she had left the district, but is now back home.
Heartfelt thanks to those who travelled great distances, contributed in so many ways, spoke with such passion.
And let’s not forget the tireless workers who gave so willingly and with such amazing results. Judy, Lon, Rob, Rex, Manu, Allan and so many others, thank you.
Isaac is at rest in the place he chose to call home.