Arthur's Stone (Kerikeri) facts for kids
Arthur's Stone is a special monument located near Kerikeri in New Zealand. It's known as the very first memorial built in New Zealand for a Pākehā (which means a person of European descent). This stone was put up in November 1840 by a man named Reverend Richard Taylor. He built it to remember his 10-year-old son, Arthur, who sadly died at that spot after falling from a horse.
Arthur's Stone is considered a very important historical site. On May 14, 2008, it was officially added to the Heritage New Zealand list of historic places. It's listed as a Category 1 site, which means it has "outstanding" historical significance.
The Story of Arthur's Stone
Why Was the Stone Built?
The story of Arthur's Stone begins with a sad accident. On October 12, 1840, ten-year-old Arthur Taylor was riding a horse with his father, Reverend Richard Taylor. They were on their way to meet Arthur's mother in a place called Waimate.
During their journey, something startled Arthur's horse. A report from that time says the horse was touched by a switch and suddenly bolted, meaning it ran off very fast. Arthur fell from the saddle, and tragically, his foot got caught in the stirrup. He was dragged by the horse, and this terrible accident led to his death.
How Was the Stone Put Up?
Reverend Richard Taylor was heartbroken by the loss of his son. He decided to build a memorial right where Arthur died. The stone was put up on November 9, 1840, less than a month after the accident.
Reverend Taylor wrote about this in his personal journal. He mentioned that he stayed that evening to watch the stone being put into place. He described it as a "basaltic column" which means it was a tall, pillar-shaped stone made of basalt rock. It was about 7 and a half feet tall (which is about 2.3 meters). The heavy stone had to be carried all the way from Kerikeri to the spot where it stands today.
The very next day, Reverend Taylor returned to the site with a person named Steele. Together, they made the memorial look even better. They whitewashed the stone, which means they painted it white. They also cleared a circle around the bottom of the stone and planted clover there. This made the area around the monument neat and tidy, honoring Arthur's memory.
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