These pages together tell the story of the Hassall family in Australia and New Zealand. It is a collection of stories and photos of our Hassall ancestors.
Some pages are reprints of articles that have been in a newsletter and some include sections from The Hassall Book.
We have tagged photos and blog posts so these items can be linked from the ancestor’s page. If you want, you can start reading with Rowland and Elizabeth and then click NEXT through all the pages. Alternatively, you can easily search for the family member you want to read about.
Rowland and Elizabeth – early days
1760s
Coventry in the 18th Century
In the 1760s, Coventry was a centre for the silk weaving industry. The Hassall family lived in Spon St, and the Hancox family lived a few miles away in Brandon.
When Rowland was 17 years of age, there was an epidemic of black measles, of which his brother (Ralph) died. Rowland was also seriously ill with this and he was presumed dead, but they realised at the last moment that he was still alive and he eventually recovered. This incident caused him to devote his life to the service of God.
1793
Rowland and Elizabeth Marry
Rowland and Elizabeth were married on the 15th July 1793 at the Holy Trinity Church, Coventry.
1794
Thomas is Born
Their first child, Thomas, is born in the afternoon of the 29th May, 1794 in Coventry.
Read more …
1795
LMS Established
The London Missionary Society (LMS) was established by Rev Burder and started to plan a ministry to the South Seas.
It was around this time that Rowland became involved in preaching and met Rev Burder.
While he had trained as a silk weaver, he needed to expand his skills prior to a mission on Tahiti. Initially he trained in carpentry but as there were others with this skill, he became a blacksmith.
1796
Samuel Otoo is born
Samuel Otoo Hassall was born 13-May-1796.
This was only a couple of months before sailing to Tahiti, and so they gave their baby a middle name in an attempt to honour the Tahitian King.
1796
The Duff sets sail
The Duff leaves London on 10-Aug-1796.
Initially it waited off the coast of England in order to join a convoy of other ships. They went via Brazil to add to their supplies and then headed to Cape Horn. The weather proved inpossible and they turned around and went via Africa and the Cape of Good Hope. This added many weeks to their very long journey.
1797
The Duff arrives Matavai Bay in Tahiti
The Duff finally arrived at Tahiti on 5-Mar-1797.
more details …
1797
Almost a year in Tahiti
Read more about the Hassall’s year in Tahiti …
1798
Jonathan is born in Tahiti
Jonathan Hassall is born on 31-Jan-1798 in Tahiti.
1798
Escaping Tahiti on the Nautilus
Leaving Tahiti in a hurry and boarding the Nautilus heading for Australia.
1798
Arrive in Sydney
The Nautilus limped into Port Jackson six weeks after leaving Tahiti, arriving on 14-May-1798
