VARNHAM, JOHN (1818-68) was born in Bembridge, Isle of Wight. He was in the East India Company's service before coming in 1844 to Wellington, where he was in business as a merchant, shipping agent and shipowner. He married in 1850 E. Marshall (Sydney). In 1857 Varnham was gazetted a lieutenant in the militia, in which he served in the war. He represented Wellington City in the Provincial Council (1857-61). About the latter date he went to live in Wairarapa, first at Taueru and later at Papawai, where he died on 18 May 1868. Varnham wrote a pamphlet on the History and Troubles of the Early Mail Service.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Ward; F. S. Varnham (information); Wairarapa Mercury, 23 May 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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