WILLIAMS, EDWARD MARSH (1818-1909), the eldest son of Archdeacon Henry Williams (q.v.), was born at Hampstead, London, and in 1823 with his parents arrived at Bay of Islands by the Brampton. Ill-health later interrupted his medical studies in England. Becoming a proficient Maori linguist, he helped to translate the Treaty of Waitangi into Maori, and later acted as native interpreter to Major Bunbury (q.v.), who was commissioned to obtain signatures to the Treaty in the south. Williams was made government interpreter in 1840, and clerk of the court and postmaster at Auckland. Retiring in 1842, he took up farming at Pakaraka. In 1861 he was appointed resident magistrate for Bay of Islands and northern districts, and in 1880 judge of the native land court, from which he retired in 1891. He married (1843) Jane Davis, and died on 11 Oct 1909.

Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Buick, Waitangi.

Reference: Volume 2, page 258

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