Robert Stokes junior

Eldest son of Robert Stokes and his wife Martha Frances nee Barker (both q.v.). Inherited a quarter share in the proceeds of the sale of the lease of Abbey Court pen in St Andrew, Jamaica, and 33 enslaved people on the death of his father in 1819. Moved with his widowed mother and younger brother John Milbourne Stokes (q.v.) to Britain where they lived in Chelsea. Became an architect in Cheltenham. Married Margaret Pughe in 1832. Emigrated to New Zealand in 1840. Worked as a surveyor in the Wellington-Hutt district where he gave his name to Stokes Valley. Member of the New Zealand Legislative Countil 1862-1879. Member of the Senate of the University of New Zealand 1871-1878. Returned to England in 1878 where he married Jane Rutherford. Owned 30,000 acres in New Zealand jointly with his brother John Milbourne Stokes by the time of his death in 1880.

Will of Robert Stokes senior PROB 11/1623.

Fully sourced article on Robert Stokes junior in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Stokes_(politician) [accessed 16/12/2016]. See also 'Robert Stokes, Pitt's architect', http://pittvillehistory.org.uk/bios/RobertStokes.html.

We are grateful to James Hodsdon for his assistance with compiling this entry.