Jackie Marmon was one of the earliest settlers to the Hokianga, commonly known as "Cannibal Jack" he appears at different times in the history of Hokianga as a renegade, cannibal, tohunga, prophet, scoundrel, pioneer, husband and father. Marmon arrived in Hokianga sometime in the early 1820’s and upon landing was adopted by the chief Muriwai, quickly becoming a very valuable middle man helping to negotiate between the Settlers and Maori.Between 1881 – 1882 Marmon's story ran in the Auckland Weekly News (and later the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Star) in an exciting series running over a month. The actual papers in which Marmon tells his story can be viewed at Auckland City Libraries. It is a fascinating tale, giving a fresh view of how Hokianga looked in a much simpler time, with fantastic stories of the people and places he experienced first hand.The full truth of Marmon and his story may never be told. What we do have is a rousing blend of fact and fiction, one thing that is beyond doubt is that he integrated fully with Maori, he himself is quoted as saying “That is the last time I put faith in my own race – the Pakehas, henceforth I am Maori in thought, word and deed since among the savages I have found more true faithfulness man to man then in the boasted European; there is no honour in them”. Jackie Marmon died in 1880 after living as a recluse for years, but lives on in his decendants, and the story he has left behind.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
In the spotlight 4: Jacky Marmon
Jackie Marmon was one of the earliest settlers to the Hokianga, commonly known as "Cannibal Jack" he appears at different times in the history of Hokianga as a renegade, cannibal, tohunga, prophet, scoundrel, pioneer, husband and father. Marmon arrived in Hokianga sometime in the early 1820’s and upon landing was adopted by the chief Muriwai, quickly becoming a very valuable middle man helping to negotiate between the Settlers and Maori.Between 1881 – 1882 Marmon's story ran in the Auckland Weekly News (and later the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Star) in an exciting series running over a month. The actual papers in which Marmon tells his story can be viewed at Auckland City Libraries. It is a fascinating tale, giving a fresh view of how Hokianga looked in a much simpler time, with fantastic stories of the people and places he experienced first hand.The full truth of Marmon and his story may never be told. What we do have is a rousing blend of fact and fiction, one thing that is beyond doubt is that he integrated fully with Maori, he himself is quoted as saying “That is the last time I put faith in my own race – the Pakehas, henceforth I am Maori in thought, word and deed since among the savages I have found more true faithfulness man to man then in the boasted European; there is no honour in them”. Jackie Marmon died in 1880 after living as a recluse for years, but lives on in his decendants, and the story he has left behind.
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Kia Ora whanau
just got back into the country from attending the 5th International Indigenous Librarians Conference in Brisbane which was excellent. Anyway, on my way through customs I saw a cuzzie bro wearing a Hokianga T shirt which was awesome and it had all the hapu of Hokianga on the back..I wasn't able to catch up with him. But, if anyone out there knows where I can buy one, please post back. Hokianga pride!
Go to the Otara Market, which is were I bought one for my son.
I was wondering if he married a Maori woman and had any descendants...It seems there were alot of intermarriage going on in Hokianga i suppose it was to get the land
One of the amazing things about working on this exhibition has been the taonga we see, I have to say some of the photographs of Maori women I have seen it is no wonder there was intermarriage. The beauty, strength and mana these women carry comes through just as strongly now. In real life they must have been forces to be reckoned with.
do you have info on the Cochrane family? Thats my line, i come from one of those intermarriages but i don't very much about them
Kia Ora Terry,
Although I don't have any information personally, I do remember reading about the Cochrane line over at Maori.org. :) Under the whakapapa section, just do a search for Cochrane and you should find it. :)
Good Luck! :)
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