POYNTON, THOMAS (1801-90) was born at Bellivor, county Meath, and educated in France. He married in Sydney Mary (1812-91), daughter of Thomas Kennedy, of county Wexford, and in 1828 crossed to New Zealand to take charge of a store and sawmill at Hokianga. In 1835, hearing of the appointment of Dr Polding as Bishop of Sydney, Poynton went to Port Jackson to ask that a priest be sent to New Zealand, and returned with a letter of instruction for Catholics (the first document connected with the Catholic Church in New Zealand). On the arrival of Pompallier's mission at Hokianga on 10 Jan 1838 they were welcomed by the Poyntons at Totara Point and given the use of a house until one could be built for the priests. Poynton had a vessel trading with Sydney. He raised a considerable number of cattle, and during Heke's war drove them through hostile territory to feed the troops. He was an enthusiastic advocate of the Irish nationalist cause, and was visited by John Dillon at Hokianga. He died at Takapuna on 9 Mar 1890, his wife having predeceased him on 15 Oct 1891.

N.Z. Catholic Centenary Souvenir, 1937; N.Z. Herald, 17 Oct 1891; Auckland Star, 10 Mar 1892; Marist Messenger, 1 Mar 1938 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 94

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