Te ua haumene biography of williams brothers

He was an infant when his father died, and at the age of three he was captured with his mother at the fall of the pa of Rimupiko and carried off to Kawhia, where he was brought up as a slave. He did not attend the mission schools, but from his Maori protectors he learned to read and write and could understand the New Testament. On the declaration of British sovereignty the released slaves returned to Taranaki, where Te Ua found that his brother and sister were dead and that the Wesleyan missionaries Creed and Skevington had commenced work.

Māori king

He became an assistant monitor under them, was baptised by Whiteley with the name of 'Tamati Horopapera' Zerubbabel , and studied the Bible diligently. He acted for some time as a kai karakia, occasionally conducting service when the missionaries were absent. Through the early land feuds in Taranaki Te Ua lived quietly, taking no part in the hostilities though he was later an adherent of the King movement.

When Te Rangitake q. He took up arms only when Wi Kingi was finally engaged with the soldiers. When the Lord Worsley was wrecked Te Ua tried to persuade the natives not to plunder. Depressed by his lack of success, he became ill and saw visions. Parris, who met him a few months later, considered he was definitely insane. Having violently assaulted a woman of his own tribe, he was beaten and tied up by the husband.

While in this position the angel Gabriel appeared again to him and ordered him to break his bonds, which unaccountably he managed to do. He now studied deeply the Revelations, and developed therefrom the Paimarire cult, which swept the tribes in the King confederation and even spread to friendly districts. He himself was the high priest, with Hepanaia and Rangitauria as assistants.