Christopher's grandparents, William Rowlands (b: 27 Aug 1791 in Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales, occ: Goldsmith;  d: 22 Sep 1868 in Hastings Sussex) and mother Emma Cobden (b: 1796 in Chichester, Sussex, d: Dec 1829 in Clerkenwell, London - they had mar: 04 Jul 1816 in Chelsea St Luke, Middlesex, England)  1841 Census:

Their children; William Rowlands (b: Jan 1821 in Clerkenwell, London Died: 06 May 1879 in Melbourne 58Y Burial: Melbourne, Victoria, London)   and  Ann Emma Rowlands (b: 24 Nov 1822 in Clerkenwell, London)

Early Dec 1841 Wm Rowlands (Jnr) came to NZ arriving at Wellingtonaged 21 and d: 05 May 1879 in Melbourne where he is buried, aged 58Y. Wairarapa Standard; 31 May 1879: "We regret to notice the death at Wellington of a very old Wellington settler, Mr William Rowlands, aged 50 years. Mr Rowlands left Wellington a few months ago in consequence of failing health. He leaves a a widow and a large family, all resident in Wellington."

William Rowlands married 01 May 1847 in Wellington to Mary Bell - her parents were William Bell (b: 31 Oct 1801 in Wakefield, Yorkshire; Died: 02 Jan 1855 in Porirua, Wellington) He mar: (1) 10 Jul 1825 in Birstall, Yorkshire  to Margaret Dove (Born: 1802; Died: Bef. 1835) Their children were: 

Mary's father William Bell remarried 06 Sep 1835 in Birstall, Yorkshire to widow Hannah Furness nee King (b: Abt. 1800; d: 02 Jan 1855 in Porirua, Wellington) Her daughter was  Sarah Jane Furness (b: 01 May 1835 in Halifax Nth Gate End, Yorkshire, England

William and Hannah were 39Y when the family joined 234 immigrants  at London leaving on 13th Oct 1841 on the barque, the "Birman" to NZ with Mary aged 13Y and siblings Ann, 16Y, Sarah Jane Furness 12Y, George 10Y and Sarah 7Y;  They arrived at Wellingon 1st Mar 1842 and the family lived at Johsonville and by 1852, landowner on the Porirua Road where his dairy herd supplied milk to settlers.. 

 Newspaper: July 12 1849 - Notice All persons indebted to the Undersigned, are requested to settle their accounts forthwith; and persons having claims against me, are desired to hand them in for liquidation. William Rowlands, Lambton Quay Wellington, July 12, 1849

Harris V Rowlands Tues 23rd Dec 1879. Under writ of Firei Facis

F H Wood & Co have been favoured to sell by public auction at their rooms Greytown, on above date at 2 pm sharp.
All right and title and interest of WILLIAM ROWLANDS of Wellington, settler, in all that piece or parcel of East Coast District, containing 268 acres, more or less, bounded towards the North-East and the North - West by Section numbered 171, 3050 links and 1800 links; and towards the North - East byt the Mangaopari Creek, towards the East by Section numbered 174, 6400 links; towards the West by other part of the undermentioned Section numbered 173, 5729 links; and also all those pieces of land in the said block, contining togeher 311 acres, more of less, being the two sections lastly undermentioned, subject nevertheless to the Crowns right of road, 100 links wide, reserved through the above lands by the Crown grant, which said pieces of land comprise part of secion 173 and the whole of Sections numbered 174 and 180 delineated on the public map of the said Awhea block.
For further articulars apply to Buckley, Saffard and Fitzherbert, Solicitors, Wellington
Terms at Sale, F H Wood and Co Auctioneers

CLEARING SALE. TO THE TRADE, COUNTRY SETTLERS AND THE PUBLIC. CLEARING SALE. In consequence of the departure of Mr. WILLIAM ROWLANDS for England, the whole of his WELL SELECTED STOCK-IN-TRADE will be disposed of at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. This Establishment was opened by the present Proprietor twenty-three years ago, in the earliest stage of the Colony, and has always enjoyed the reputation of selling none but FIRST-CLASS GOODS. THE STOCK COMPRISES:— JEWELRY, The greatest and best selection in Town of GOLD AND SILVER WATCHES, Ladies' Gold Rings, Wedding Rings and Keepers, all guaranteed. SILVER AND PLATED WARE. Cruet Stands Table, Tea, and Dessert Spoons Coffee and Tea Pots Services Candlesticks. CUTLERY, Consisting of — Balance-handle Knives and Forks Pocket Knives, in endless variety. Scissors, Glazier's Diamonds, Steels, &c., &c. SILKS, HOSIERY, FLANNELS, AND HATS, CAPS, AND GLOVES. MEN'S CLOTHING OP ETEBY DESCRIPTION, FROM ONE OF THE FIRST HOUSES IN ENGLAND. SUNDRIES. Desks, Work-boxes, Pipes, Stationery, Eye and Opera Glasses, Musical Instruments, Cigars, Telescopes. SALE TO COMMENCE ON THURSDAY, 11th INST. Open from 10 a.m. till dusk. N.B.— OLD GOLD AND SILVER BOUGHT FOR CASH. October 10, 1866.

1 Mary Elizabeth Rowlands (b: 20 March 1848, bapt: 7 April; d: 1932 in Wellington.) She  mar: 1876 Rev John Moir. In 1851 a group of Wellington Scots petitioned the Free Church of Scotland asking an ordained minister be sent and the Rev John Moir arrived 3 Nov 1853 to be minister of the second Presbyterian Church (now St Johns).