RAWSON, THOMAS EDWARD (1810-79) was born at Windsor, in Leicestershire, and received his medical education at King's College, London, of which he became an associate in 1841. After practising for some years at Kegworth, in his native county, and at Notting Hill (London), he came to New Zealand in the Mary Ann (1858) and settled on a farm at Tataraimaka, in Taranaki. There his wife died. Native troubles caused him to retire to New Plymouth with his family, but he was appointed surgeon to the militia and volunteers (Jun 1859), and was present at Waireka and other engagements. At the close of hostilities in 1861 he resigned his commission and moved with his family to Auckland, but being disappointed there he returned to Taranaki and was gazetted coroner (1862). He acquired an extensive practice. In 1863, on the renewal of hostilities, he was appointed provincial and hospital surgeon, and he held both appointments until retiring from practice in 1878. Rawson enjoyed the confidence of settlers over a wide district on whom he conferred a great benefit by the publication of his 'Medical Hints' in the Taranaki Almanac. He was a deeply religious man. While in England he was an adherent of the Congregational Church, being deacon of the Horbury chapel in Notting Hill. After coming to New Zealand he was a staunch Wesleyan. Rawson's second wife (d. 10 Nov 1907) was Sarah Hannah, daughter of the Rev J. Whiteley (q.v.). Rawson died on 14 Dec 1879.

Skinner, Pioneer Medical Men of Taranaki (p); Taranaki News, 20 Dec 1879.

Reference: Volume 2, page 103

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