Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. 1826 June to Dec 1829 was a pupil at Ackworth. Then went to Wakefield, probably with father to work with relatives in drapery business. 1834 Mentioned in fathers Will 1836 Returned to Sunderland 1837 Resigned from Friends. 1837 Late October set up as bookseller, stationer and newsagent at 9 Bridge St, Sunderland with James Williams 1839 Arrested with colleague James Williams on 22 July. Bailed on charge of sedition 1840 Feb 1 The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser; Sunderland:- Rapid Progress of Co-operative Societies:- There are four co-operative societies in this place. The first was established by a few Owenites, two years ago, and has increased its numbers to nearly 500, and was previously well supported by the Chartists when the Convention issued their manifesto recommending exclusive dealing. I suggest to Mr Williams the superiority of establishing a joint-stock company of the working people, which he has since done, upon the most equitable principles, when Mr Williams called a public meeting for the above purpose. He wished the old society to alter its rules, that the Chartists might join them, and become one society. After much discussion, the managers of the old Owenites society, would not alter their rules, so Messrs Williams and Binns, with the consent and approbation of the public generally, have now established one for the good of all the people that will purchase at their own shops; the only difference between the two societies is as follows:- The old society gives the whole profits of the business to the shareholders or capitalists, who may buy £50 share, for himself, wife, and all his children whether they be consumers or not. Now the Social Institution established by Mr Williams, holds out superior advantages, viz. any poor person who is not able to buy a share, if they go and buy at this institution, they will get one half of the profits arising from their own consumption; and if they leave it in the hands of the manager, it will form a share for them upon which they will get profits also. I am authorised by some of the members to say that there is a disposition on the part of many members of the old society to join the good new one, next door to Messrs William and Binns’s shop, Bridge Street. 1840 Mar 14 The Northern Liberator; Trial of Williams and Binns Tried and found guilty in July. Sent to Durham Jail for 6 months. 1840 May 8 The Northern Liberator: Letter from George Binns in which he describes the events in Darlington, his removal to Durham gaol and the conditions in there. Dated Bishop Auckland, April 30, 1840 1840 Jun 6 The Northern Liberator and Champion (Newcastle): Bishop Auckland:- We rejoice to announce that Mr George Binns has been induced by the Chartist bodies of South Durham, to devote his whole time to the GOOD CAUSE. 1840 Aug 15 The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser: Full account of Williams and Binns trial including list of Jurors. 1841 Released from jail on 25th January 1841 Jan 30 Northern Star: The Council of the National Charter Association of Sunderland, beg to inform the various associations that their tried, talented, and indefatigble friend Mr George Binns, is desirous of accepting the office of Missionary in any part of the country for two months. Early applications must be made to secure his services. The Charter Association, Bridge Street Store, Sunderland. 1841 Feb 2 London Gazette: Partnership between James Williams and George Binns, stationers, booksellers, and newsagents at Sunderland is dissolved by mutual consent 1841 Census at residence of J. Kilvinton in High St.,age 25, draper. 1841 Elected to the executive of the National Chartist Association 1841 Sep 23 The Morning Chronicle; Dinner at Sunderland to Lord Howick; Speech by Lord Howick praising George Binns as well as criticising his approach 1841 Nov 27 The Oddfellow: Open letter to Mr Sinclair, Secretary of the Charter Association of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, protesting about unfounded accusation of desertion and seeking apology. Letter from George Binns turning down nomination as Chartist representative for Newcastle 1842 Went bankrupt due to failure of bookshop. Imprisoned for debt in May. 1842 May 27 Letter to 3rd Earl Grey seeking employment overseas 1842 Jun 6 Letter to 3rd Earl Grey seeking employment overseas 1842 Jun 14 London Gazette: In debtors prison to be brought up at Durham Court House on July 4, George Binns, late residing in lodgings at Woodbridge Street, Bishopwearmouth, in partnership with John Kilvinton at No 66 [sic] High Street, Sunderland, as linen and woollen drapers, hatters, hosiers, and haberdashers, shoe merchants, and Mechant tailors. Also; John Kilvinton, late of Woodbine Street, Bishopwearmouth, in partnership with George Binns, at No 55 [sic] High Street, Sunderland, as linen and woollen drapers, hatters, hosiers, and haberdashers, shoe merchants, and merchant tailors. 1842 Aug 9 London Gazette: Insolvent No 59,653 C; Assignee George Moore [John Kilvinton No 59,654 C] 1842 Embarked at Deptford on 30 July aboard the Bombay. Sailed 1 August from Gravesend. Arrived at Nelson, New Zealand 14 December. 1842 Aug 27 Carlisle Journal: Mr George Binns of Sunderland has emigrated to New Zealand 1843 Jan 4 New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume III, Issue 208: We the undersigned, passengers on board the ship “Bombayâ€, beg to express our approval of JAMES MOORE, its commander. Francis Brady, George Binns, et al 1843 Jan 3 New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator: List of jurors for Nelson; George Binns, clerk 1843 Sep 2 New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator: George Binns signatory of letter from inhabitants of Nelson, regarding the Wairau massacre 1843 Sep 16 Leicestershire Mercury: NEWS FOR EMIGRANTS. The following interesting extracts are from letters just received from Mr. George Binns, late of Sunderland :— Port Nelson, Feb. 10,1843. " What would I give to wander " Where my old companions dwell."—Bryan " You will all be anxious to know how I progressed towards my adopted country. We sailed from the West India Docks on the lst of August, 1842, and arrived in the downs a day or two after. We were about a week in the Channel, encountering adverse winds one day, and a gentle and favourable breeze the next when the broad Atlantic opened to our view and left behind us the dim and distant outlines of my fatherland. We arrived in sight of New Zealand, after traversing 20,000 miles of water in about five mouths, and were landed (after having two for the night) in Tasmas's Gulph. The country is very mountainous. With almost a topic sun scorching us we have mountains covered with everlasting snow. Immense forests of trees, some 150 feet high, extend for miles over mountains and valleys ; and the climate is delightfully pleasant, with skies clearer than in England, and the winter milder. The natives are a tine race oi people, but in danger of corruption from the influence of a pseudo civilization. Tall, stately looking people, they carry on a traffic with our colony, and trade in potatoes, onions, melons fish &c„ all of which they catch, rear, or grow themselves. 1843 Sep 30 Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser: Poem titled Lines by George Binns, written on board of the Bombay, on a passage to New Zealand, August 1842 1844 In N Z Annual List of Jurors described as accountant 1844 Poem by James Vernon about Williams and Binns published in 'The Northern Star' 13 Feb 1844. Appears to have been written at South Molton, Feb 2nd. 1844 May 18 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle: James Williams and George Binns sign letter denying accusation by A Perry that James Williams has breached an agreement about whaling and the sale of whale oil and bones. 1844 Jun 15 Northern Star: A piece of poetry from George Binnses Doom of Toil, illustrative of the miners case was read and rapturously received at a London meeting of workers in support of striking miners 1844 Jun 15 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle: George Binns, clerk among those inhabitants of Nelson, petitioning Parliament for due processes of law to be applied to the parties, and especially the natives, involved in the massacre of whites at Waikanai 1845 In N Z Annual List of Jurors described as clerk. 1845 Jun 28 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle:Advertisement for a weekly general market to be held in Nelson, on Town Acre No 220, in Bridge Street, nearly opposite the shops of Mr Binns and Mr Alder. 1846 Feb 7 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle: Jury List for Nelson includes George Binns, baker, Bridge Street 1847 Apr 10 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle: On Monday 5th inst at Bridge Street, Nelson, after a lingering illness, sincerely regretted by all his friends, George Binns, aged 31, son of the late George Binns, of Sunderland 1848 Death reported in Sunderland Herald 21 Jan 1848. Many of our readers will notice with regret the death (recorded in our obituary this week) of Mr. George Binns, late of this town, who expired at Port Nelson, New Zealand, on the 5th April last. Mr Binns left England in August 1842, was seized with severe cold some time after reaching the above place, which settled on his lungs and carried him off after an illness of upwards of three years. He was much respected in the Colony, his remains being followed to the grave by nearly all the respected settlers. We need not here attend to the part Mr. Binns took in public matters within this Country, suffice to say that the political principles which he adopted, he always unflinchingly and constantly advocated. He was a young man of considerable ability and promise and his death will be much regretted by a number of sincere friends in this neighbourhood. 1848 Feb 5 Northern Star: DEATH OF GEORGE BINNS, THE SUNDERLAND CHARTIST, (From a Correspondent) Probably you have heard that George Binns is dead. Notices of his decease have appeared in the papers of this locality all written in terms of respect for his memory, and of esteem for his talents. From the active and noted part which he took in the people's cause, he became known to many of the- readers of the STAR, and admired by thousands who heard of him through its pages. It is, therefore, probable you will feel disposed to insert a notice of his death. Mr Binns was a native of Sunderland, one of a family of sixteen children, members of the Society of Friends His father was a draper, in an extensive line of business, and was much esteemed in this town for his intelligence,integrity and usefulness in local affairs, particularly in all movements of a benevolent character. His mother, too, was a most exceLlent woman. Mr.G Binns was himself brought, up to the drapery business with his father, but left it about 1837, when he was between twenty-one and twenty-two years, of age, and entered into partnership with Mr Williams, in the newspaper and bookselling business. Previous to quitting the drapery business, he had taken a very active part In the promotion of the temperance cause, and had engaged in several public meetings of a political character, in which he early proved himself possessed of a high talent as a speaker, and his enthusiastic nature made him most popular wherever he appeared. About this time Mr Binns lost both his parents, and the management of the business for the maintenance of the younger members of the family, devolved upon him; but as his inclinations were for public 1ife,the trustees of the family property were dissatisfied with his attention- to the business he had in charge, and, therefore he quitted it,as stated, to join Mr Williams. From 1837 to 1840 he was incessantly engaged in the advancement of his views of political and social reform. He joined the Chartist body at the earliest period, and remained in connexion with them until he quitted England for New Zealand, in 1842. In July, 1839 he was arrested at Sunderland. along with Mr Williams on a charge of sedition,,appeared, in answer to the charge,at the following Durham assizes, when his trial was postponed and he was liberated on heavy bail. His trial ultimately came on in August, 1840, before Judge Coltman, when the usual verdict of guilty was found, and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment in Durham prison. Comparatively speaking, he had not to complain of the privations which others had to suffer at that time, in other prisons, for similar alleged offences. He was treated, in every respect-as were his fellow prisoners, Mr. Williams and Mr Byrne, of Newcastle with-the greatest liberality. In January, 1841, he was liberated; when he was honoured with a triumphal entry into his native town, thousands upon thousands taking that means of testifying their esteem for his character,and their disapproval of the unjustifiable prosecution which had been got up against him. Shortly after his liberation, he re-entered the drapery business joining a Mr John Kilvinton,, who was established in business himself at the time. This was a most unfortunate connexion. From the conduct of his partner he became involved in debt. No longer able to feel that self-respect which be prized so highly, he resolved to emigrate, and endeavour, by care, industry, and enterprise to save as much as would enable him to return to England pay all whom he owed, and resume again that career of public usefulness in which he had acted so distinguished a part. Shortly after his arrival in New Zealand, he became assistant to a Mr James Williams, merchant and ship owner of Port Nelson,for whom he superintended a whale fishing establishment. With this gentleman he continued doing well until the disturbances with the natives took place, when the affairs of his master became involved, and that person left the colony, Mr Binns sustaining a considerable loss by him. This new reverse of fortune, interfering as it did with Mr Binns's ardent hopes of return to his native country, produced a sad effect upon his spirits, and probably strongly contributed to cause a severe cold, caught about that time, to become fixed and to terminate as it did, in consumption. He died after an illness of upwards of three years. I omitted to mention that when In prison he composed a small poem- 'The Doom of Toil' It was highly popular, and had a large sale. Of his talents as a speaker and writer,you are as well able to judge as myself I will only add what I, from most intimate knowledge of him can best say, that he was a thoroughly trusthearted man. He inspired all who knew him with sentiments of warm attachment, and his death has led to expressions of regret and sympathy from men of all ranks and of all opinions in this town. 1909 Said by brother Frederick "The family looked down on him because he joined the Chartist agitation. One of the family went so far as to say that he deserved transporting."
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John Binns and Abigail King Family
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