William Williams

A DigitalNZ Story by Sienna Latham

Welsh-born Williams (1859-1948) was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. After immigrating to New Zealand, he lived for a time as a bachelor with friends in a Cuba Street dwelling nicknamed 'The Old Shebang.' He married Lydia Myrtle Devereux in 1887 and the pair moved to Napier and, later, Dunedin. They had two sons, Owen and Edgar. Edgar donated his father's photographs to the Alexander Turnbull Library. For more on Williams, see this post: http://clerestories.com/2012/10/16/interdisciplinarity/

photography, wellington, napier, otago, southland, catlins, cuba street, fiordland, otorohanga, napier, hawkes bay, piha, lower hutt, whakaki, castlepoint, plimmerton, auckland

Image: Two young men wearing bathing costumes, diving from a log in the Owaka River, Catlins District, Otago Region

Two young men wearing bathing costumes, diving from a log in the Owaka River, Catlins District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group including photographer William Williams, Wainuiomata

Group including photographer William Williams, Wainuiomata

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Elsdon Best, Tom Wyatt and William Williams, the Old Shebang, Cuba Street, Wellington

Elsdon Best, Tom Wyatt and William Williams, the Old Shebang, Cuba Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia and William Williams seated in a garden with two others

Lydia and William Williams seated in a garden with two others

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: William Williams with camping equipment - Photograph taken by an unknown photographer

William Williams with camping equipment - Photograph taken by an unknown photographer

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: William Williams and Lydia Myrtle Williams in their vegetable garden, Carlyle Street, Napier

William Williams and Lydia Myrtle Williams in their vegetable garden, Carlyle Street, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: L H Duval and William Williams sitting outside a tent with a gun, camera and other equipment

L H Duval and William Williams sitting outside a tent with a gun, camera and other equipment

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Boys, including Edgar Richard and Owen William Williams, playing with toy sailboat on river, Woodhaugh Gardens, Dunedin, Otago Region

Boys, including Edgar Richard and Owen William Williams, playing with toy sailboat on river, Woodhaugh Gardens, Dunedin, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Men, including photographer William Williams (left), outside log cabin set in bush, Southland Region [Fiordland?], including canoe paddles and guns

Men, including photographer William Williams (left), outside log cabin set in bush, Southland Region [Fiordland?], including canoe paddles and guns

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Small sail boat on Catlins River [Lydia Myrtle Williams, Edgar Richar Williams, and Owen William Williams?], Clutha District, Otago Region

Small sail boat on Catlins River [Lydia Myrtle Williams, Edgar Richar Williams, and Owen William Williams?], Clutha District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of Maori men, women and children with William Williams and Fred Byrne outside a thatched whare, Te Kauri, Otorohanga District

Group of Maori men, women and children with William Williams and Fred Byrne outside a thatched whare, Te Kauri, Otorohanga District

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: An unidentified woman, Miss Rowbottom of Shakespeare Terrace (seated on right), and Lydia Myrtle Williams (in hammock), all of whom are holding banjos, in the garden of Lydia and William Williams' Carlyle Street home, Napier, Hawkes Bay Region

An unidentified woman, Miss Rowbottom of Shakespeare Terrace (seated on right), and Lydia Myrtle Williams (in hammock), all of whom are holding ban...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Timber being loaded off the wharf at Whatipu, Piha tramway in foreground.

Timber being loaded off the wharf at Whatipu, Piha tramway in foreground.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A Stereograph of the Benevolent Institute, Caversham, Dunedin

A Stereograph of the Benevolent Institute, Caversham, Dunedin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cannibal Bay

Cannibal Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wellington Harbour, semi-moonlight

Wellington Harbour, semi-moonlight

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gun emplacement at Fort Ballance, Wellington

Gun emplacement at Fort Ballance, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A group of Maori carvings and textiles, Napier

A group of Maori carvings and textiles, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Four boys, fishng off the rocks, Catlins, Otago

Four boys, fishng off the rocks, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coast, headlands, Catlins, Otago

Coast, headlands, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Myrtle Williams, and members of the Mountfort family, at afternoon tea

Lydia Myrtle Williams, and members of the Mountfort family, at afternoon tea

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Surf beach, Catlins, Otago

Surf beach, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Devereux sisters, Margaret Ellen (Nellie), Lydia Myrtle, and Marian Amy, on the back steps of their family home, Lower Hutt, Wellington Region

The Devereux sisters, Margaret Ellen (Nellie), Lydia Myrtle, and Marian Amy, on the back steps of their family home, Lower Hutt, Wellington Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sandspit, Catlins, Otago

Sandspit, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Man, sitting on a stump and looking out at fields and the settlement beyond, Catlins, Otago

Man, sitting on a stump and looking out at fields and the settlement beyond, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two boys on a beach, Catlins, Otago

Two boys on a beach, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two men at a beach, Catlins, Otago

Two men at a beach, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Family with seven young children, Catlins, Otago

Family with seven young children, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Owaka River, Catlins, Otago

Owaka River, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A lake with a circular floating island, including two men in a dinghy, Whakaki, Wairoa District

A lake with a circular floating island, including two men in a dinghy, Whakaki, Wairoa District

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Nellie Devereux playing piano, location unknown

Nellie Devereux playing piano, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Man, launching a boat, rowed by a man and woman with a woman and child in the rear, Catlins, Otago

Man, launching a boat, rowed by a man and woman with a woman and child in the rear, Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tuhara Flat, Whakaki

Tuhara Flat, Whakaki

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified man firing a gun while standing in the shallows of the Clinton River, Southland Region

Unidentified man firing a gun while standing in the shallows of the Clinton River, Southland Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Overlooking Thorndon, Wellington

Overlooking Thorndon, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Stormy coastal scene, featuring kelp and cliffs, and including an unidentified boy standing on a rock, Black Head, Dunedin, Otago Region

Stormy coastal scene, featuring kelp and cliffs, and including an unidentified boy standing on a rock, Black Head, Dunedin, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified woman and small child walking in the Remarkables, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region

Unidentified woman and small child walking in the Remarkables, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dunes, native forest, and coastal inlet, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Dunes, native forest, and coastal inlet, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Yacht race on harbour, location unknown

Yacht race on harbour, location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coastal area featuring dunes and beach, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Coastal area featuring dunes and beach, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coastal scene including man with camera and dog, with dunes in the foreground and a distant ship offshore

Coastal scene including man with camera and dog, with dunes in the foreground and a distant ship offshore

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Coastal scene, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Coastal scene, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Napier

Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Nellie Devereux holding [viola? violin?], location unknown

Nellie Devereux holding [viola? violin?], location unknown

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Broad Bay, Dunedin

Broad Bay, Dunedin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Otago Harbour, including Quarantine Island, Goat Island, and Port Chalmers

Otago Harbour, including Quarantine Island, Goat Island, and Port Chalmers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Thorndon, Wellington

Thorndon, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay

Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Shotover River, Otago

Shotover River, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Williams and unidentified men on a horse-drawn wooden sled, at Whakaki, Wairoa District

Lydia Williams and unidentified men on a horse-drawn wooden sled, at Whakaki, Wairoa District

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Castlepoint, Masterton District, Wellington

Castlepoint, Masterton District, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified group of men at Plimmerton Beach, Wellington Region, including Porirua Harbour in background

Unidentified group of men at Plimmerton Beach, Wellington Region, including Porirua Harbour in background

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Man seated on a rocky precipice looking at the view from Mount Cargill, Waikouaiti County

Man seated on a rocky precipice looking at the view from Mount Cargill, Waikouaiti County

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fred Byrne with unidentified Maori woman, Te Kauri, Otorohanga District

Fred Byrne with unidentified Maori woman, Te Kauri, Otorohanga District

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two men standing beside a hose-drawn cart on a road in the Catlins District, Otago Region

Two men standing beside a hose-drawn cart on a road in the Catlins District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rock arch and waves at Tunnel Beach, Otago Region

Rock arch and waves at Tunnel Beach, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Bluff Hill, Napier

Bluff Hill, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Onehunga Wharf, Auckland

Onehunga Wharf, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Napier breakwater under construction

Napier breakwater under construction

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Broad Bay, Dunedin, with jetty and boats

Broad Bay, Dunedin, with jetty and boats

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Nichols Creek, Dunedin

Nichols Creek, Dunedin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Myrtle Devereux, Lower Hutt

Lydia Myrtle Devereux, Lower Hutt

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Bedroom in "The Old Shebang", Cuba Street, Wellington

Bedroom in "The Old Shebang", Cuba Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Kaiwharawhara, Wellington

Kaiwharawhara, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Soldiers in the Armed Constabulary redoubt at Kawhia

Soldiers in the Armed Constabulary redoubt at Kawhia

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pukehou swamp and Napier railway line

Pukehou swamp and Napier railway line

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pohutukawa tree, Maketu Pa, Kawhia Harbour

Pohutukawa tree, Maketu Pa, Kawhia Harbour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Four pou tokomanawa from the meeting house at the Waiohiki marae

Four pou tokomanawa from the meeting house at the Waiohiki marae

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Catlins, Otago

Catlins, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Five chain curve, Onepoto-Napier

Five chain curve, Onepoto-Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Edgar Williams with a cockatoo

Edgar Williams with a cockatoo

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fog on the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula District, Canterbury, with cabbage tree

Fog on the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula District, Canterbury, with cabbage tree

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: George the fisherman, Moka Moka, Catlins

George the fisherman, Moka Moka, Catlins

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Old Shebang, Cuba Street, Wellington

The Old Shebang, Cuba Street, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Williams holding a puppy at the door of her house in Carlyle Street, Napier

Lydia Williams holding a puppy at the door of her house in Carlyle Street, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lockwoods' house, and group outside, Taieri Mouth, Otago

Lockwoods' house, and group outside, Taieri Mouth, Otago

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Williams

Lydia Williams

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Otago Museum interior

Otago Museum interior

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Taradale road bridge, Napier

Taradale road bridge, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rocky cliffs and T W Brebner on horse, near Cape Kidnappers

Rocky cliffs and T W Brebner on horse, near Cape Kidnappers

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Interior of William and Lydia William's house in Napier, with framed pictures

Interior of William and Lydia William's house in Napier, with framed pictures

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sir Joseph Ward laying the foundation stone of Dunedin Railway Station

Sir Joseph Ward laying the foundation stone of Dunedin Railway Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mr Murdoch asleep, picnic at Cliffs, Kew, Dunedin

Mr Murdoch asleep, picnic at Cliffs, Kew, Dunedin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lydia Myrtle Williams in a hammock, Napier

Lydia Myrtle Williams in a hammock, Napier

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: View from Mount Cargill, Dunedin, featuring an unidentified man standing on a rocky outcrop amongst dead trees

View from Mount Cargill, Dunedin, featuring an unidentified man standing on a rocky outcrop amongst dead trees

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified man on horse on beach with dead trees, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Unidentified man on horse on beach with dead trees, Catlins area, Clutha District, Otago Region

Alexander Turnbull Library