James Kemp

James Kemp (7 September 1797 – 21 February 1872) was a missionary for the Church of England, co-founding the second Church Missionary Society (CMS) station in New Zealand at Kerikeri. Born in England, he came to New Zealand with his wife, Charlotte Kemp, in 1819 and settled in Kerikeri where the CMS station was founded. He taught at the station's schools and conducted services in nearby villages. He also supervised the building of the Stone Store in Kerikeri. By 1840, he and his wife were the only missionaries in Kerikeri and during the Flagstaff War, were two of the few Europeans to remain in the area during the conflict. He died in Auckland at the age of 75. Early life Born on 7 September 1797, James Kemp was the son of Richard and Ann Kemp, of Wymondham in Norfolk, England. He was working as a blacksmith when he met his future wife Charlotte Butcher. The couple married on 16 November 1818 at Wymondham Abbey and then emigrated to New Zealand. Missionary work After sailing aboard the Baring to Sydney, in Australia, Kemp and his wife transferred to the General Gates for the trip to the Bay of Islands, their final destination. Arriving on 12 August 1819, they initially lived at Hohi before moving a few months later to a settlement in Kerikeri, where Charlotte Kemp was one of the first European women in the area. A Church Missionary Society (CMS) station had been built there, the second to be established in New Zealand. A blacksmith's shop had been built at the station and Kemp was kept busy making fittings for the buildings being erected and goods for trading. Other missionaries who accompanied the Kemps included Thomas Kendall and John Gare Butler. However, the latter two were soon in argument, making it difficult for the Kemps. At the time of their arrival at Kerikeri, the Musket Wars was a constant presence. Nearby was the main pā (fort) of Hongi Hika, a Māori rangatira (chief) of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe). Hika often raided neighbouring tribes and brought back slaves, to the dismay of the missionaries. They witnessed acts of cannibalism, and Kemp was offered human flesh for consumption. They also had to deal with the threats to their wellbeing and property. Enemies of Hika would raid Kerikeri, for example seizing blacksmith tools and pigs from the missionaries in November 1819.