The Gilfillan Family Massacre
Once they were able to legally buy land in New Zealand, people from England were attracted to the idea of finally being able to afford large estates where they could raise their families. The New Zealand Company facilitated these exchanges, divvying up land that once belonged to Maori tribes, clearing it out, and preparing it for English families.
John and Mary Gilfillan chose to settle in the Whanganui colony in 1842. They had six children, so they wanted plenty of space. They were able to purchase 100 acres of land for a great price, especially compared to England. The New Zealand Company gave them a temporary house in the center of town until their new house and farm was ready to move to in 1845. For two years, the family lived in peace, minding their own business, and only taking a trip to the main town of Whanganui when it was absolutely necessary, because it was a four-hour journey on foot.
Two years later, in 1847, a naval cadet named H.E. Crozier shot and killed a Maori man in the face, near the main town of Whanganui, and tried to say it was an accident. When the Maori people demanded that Crozier should go to trial for the man’s death, they refused to release him into their custody. Yet again, the English broke the promises they had made for equal treatment, considering the fact that the English were entitled enough to put Maori people on trial for murdering an Englishman, but they would not allow them the same courtesy when the shoe was on the other foot. The Maori threatened the government that if they did not give up H.E. Crozier, they would take their revenge on a random European family. When the English did not comply with their demands, they found a target- The Gilfillan Family.
A group of six Maori men were floating through a river on their property, and charged towards the house. John Gilfillan knew that he was no match for the Maori warriors, so he ran away without trying to take his wife and children. He later claimed that he thought the men were only after him and that if he ran, they would chase after him and leave his family alone. It took four hours for him to walk to the center town of Whanganui, where he told the authorities about the attack. By the time they returned to the property, the house was on fire. His wife, Mary, and three of their children were dead. Three survived, but one daughter was very badly wounded, clinging on to life.