BARTON, RICHARD (1790-1866) was born at Newport, Isle of Wight. He was well qualified in estate management and for some years was employed as a superintendent on the estates of the Duke of Sutherland, from whom he leased quarries at Brora. In 1839 Barton became interested in the New Zealand Company's project and enlisted a considerable number of young Highlanders as recruits for the settlement. He persuaded more than 40 to emigrate, and arranged dances to be held during the winter in the hope of getting them married. Barton arrived in Port Nicholson by the Oriental (1840) and took up land on the Hutt river, where he formed a settlement and was able to employ a number of the Highlanders when they arrived by the Blenheim (1841). They were settled on the river bank between two tribes. In 1843 he married Hannah (1817-94), daughter of the Rev J. G. Butler (q.v.). He formed a sheep station at White Rock before 1847 and afterwards extended his holdings. He was M.P.C. for Hutt (1861-65). Barton died on 20 Sep 1866.

N.Z.C. (emigration papers); Christ's Coll. Sch. List; Col. Gent.; J. A. Thomson; Ward; N.Z. Times, 18 Jul 1879; Wellington Independent, 4 Jul 1862, 23 Aug 1866.

Reference: Volume 1, page 39

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