PEACOCKE, STEPHEN PONSONBY (1813-72) was the son of Colonel Stephen Peacocke, of the 3rd Scots Fusilier Guards. Born in England, he entered the army in 1833 in the 25th Regiment, with which he served in India. Promoted captain (1839), he went on half pay in 1844. He afterwards exchanged into the 59th, from which he retired as major in 1853. He married Anne Louisa (1816-72), daughter of Sir John Brydges, Wootton Court, Kent.

About 1858 Peacocke sold out and came to New Zealand. He stayed in Canterbury a few months and then moved to Auckland and bought land near the Pensioner Settlement at Howick (1859), where he lived until his death (on 29 May 1872). On the outbreak of the Waikato war Peacocke was given command of the 3rd battalion Auckland militia and of the district from Wairoa south to Otahuhu. This line, defended by Galloway's and St John's redoubts, was practically the front at the outset. He represented Pensioner Settlements in the Auckland Provincial Council (1865-69) and was commissioner of crown lands (1867-68). In 1866 Peacocke was called to the Legislative Council, where he was a polished and effective speaker.

A son, PONSONBY JOHN RALEIGH PEACOCKE, was a member of the Provincial Council for Pakuranga (1873-75). He was an inspector of schools for Auckland province and later of Catholic schools, and died in Jan 1918.

Parl. Record; Auckland P.C. Proc.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 31 May 1872.

Reference: Volume 2, page 81

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