Born in Truro, Cornwall. As a boy he was apprenticed to the printing trade. Showing evidence of preaching ability he became a local preacher and in 1830 was accepted for the Methodist ministry and appointed to the Friendly Islands mission. He arrived in Bay of Islands on the 'Lloyds' in Jan 1831 enroute to Tongatabu. Woon's work was mainly in connection with translation and printing of the scriptures in Tongan. In 1833 he resigned and returned to Mangungu, in the Far North District. He set up the recently arrived printing press and gave practical advice to John Hobbs. In Nov 1834 he was appointed to open the mission in the Waikato. He went to Kawhia and was soon joined by John Whiteley and James Wallis in adjacent stations. In 1836 all were withdrawn by direction of the London committee and Woon was sent to Manukau and soon afterwards to assist Hobbs and to supervise the printing press. He remained in Hokianga for 10 years and did a vast amount of printing. In Feb 1840 he witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Hokianga. In 1846 Woon and his family were removed to Auckland for safety, and then sent to south Taranaki to minister to Ngati-Ruanui and Taranaki tribes. Stationed at Heretoa Woon carried on this work till 1853. Known as Te Wunu amongst the Maori he was a man of gigantic stature and greatly admired. He retired to Wanganui in 1854 where he acted as postmaster and ministered to the military and civil population. He died on 22 Sep 1858.
Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Woon, William (Rev) 1803-1858 : Letter to John Whiteley and James Wallis
Date: 7 Jan 1840
By: Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Reference: MS-Papers-1161
Description: Describes death of John Williams at the New Hebrides; discusses events at Mangungu where Woon was stationed and at other Methodist Missionary Society stations Quantity: 1 folder(s) (4 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph Processing information: Letter found in the end-papers of Williams, John. A narrative of missionary enterprises in the South Sea Islands... London: John Snow, 1837
Notes on the Wesleyan printing establishment under Woon at Mangungu
Date: 1836-1845
From: Parkinson, Philip Granger, 1950-: Collection
Reference: 2003-105-113
Description: Notes from various sources, with photocopies from Micro-MS-0612. Also includes a copy of `Hokianga's first printing press' by Chris J. Parr in Northland, a regional magazine no. 28 (October 1964) Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Wesleyan Missionary Society : Letters of the Wesleyan Missionary Society missionaries i...
Date: 1844-1863
By: Wesleyan Missionary Society
Reference: qMS-2178
Description: Quantity: 1 volume(s) (16 pages). Physical Description: Typescript
Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858: Letter from John Mead
Date: 9 Aug 1831
By: Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Reference: MS-Papers-2996
Description: Re church matters Rev William Woon was a Wesleyan Methodist missionary based in Tonga from 1830 to 1833. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (3 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph
Huegel, Karl Alexander, Freiherr von, 1795?-1870 : Journals
Date: 1833-1834
By: Hügel, Carl Alexander Anselm Freiherr von, 1795-1870
Reference: MS-Papers-9870
Description: Journals of von Huegel's travels in New Zealand and Australia while serving as a guest scientist for the British Admiralty. Comprises a microfilm of the original journal held at the Mitchell Library, a photocopy printout, and a copy of a typescript translation, probably by Ruel Lochore. Source of title - Supplied title Other - Another copy of the translation, with additional pages 570-640, is in the Reuel Lochore papers, at 90-389-6/18 and 90-389-6/19. Notes about the process of translation are in 90-389-5/04. Quantity: 2 volume(s). 1 microfilm reel(s). 0.30 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescripts, photocopies
Copies of letters relating to J H Bumby
Date: 6 July 1840-15 July 1840
From: Ellott, Gerald James, 1926- : Papers relating to John Hewgill Bumby
Reference: fMS-Papers-12712
Description: Comprises copies of letters collated as a single bifolium manuscript (one folded sheet of paper with four pages). The letters, copied by an unidentified person, relate to the sudden death of John Bumby on 26 June 1840. The auction catalogue entry identifies the copy as "handwritten contemporary text". The document header reads "Mangungu, New Zealand, July 15 1840", while dates copied from the original letters range from 6 July 1840 to 12 July 1840. Correspondants include Reverends Richard Taylor, William Woon and John Hobbs, George Clarke, and William Thomas Fairburn. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Ink on wove paper, bifolium, 44 x 28.5 cm. Transfers: Separated for storage reasons from Library reference MS-Papers-12712.
Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858 : Journal
Date: 1830-1859
By: Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Reference: qMS-2292-2293
Description: Deals mainly with the years 1830-1853 when Woon was a Wesleyan missionary in Tonga, in the Hokianga area, at Kawhia, Manukau and Heretoa. The journal which concludes with entries by Woon's wife Jane, is especially concerned with Woon's missionary work, domestic matters, his translation of the scriptures into Tongan and Maori, and with their printing. Included are transcripts of some letters sent to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and reports received on Heke's war Quantity: 2 volume(s). 0.06 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (33 cm; brown buckram, marbled boards, brown calf)
Inward letters from Rev William Woon
Date: 1841-1844, 1846-1848
From: Mair, Gilbert, 1799-1857 : Inward letters
Reference: MS-Papers-10823-2
Description: Comprises 6 letters to Mair at Wahapu and Wangarie [Whangarei?], written from Mangungu Hokianga between May 1842 and Aug 1844. Gives Mission news and personalities, deaths and illness in the family, detailed accounts on economic and social conditions in the Hokianga, comments on the Wairau Affray and his concerns about the unsettled condition of the local Maori. Also, 3 letters from Auckland and Waimate, South Taranaki Apr 1846-Nov 1848 re his posting to Taranaki; returns chest-of-drawers to Mair at Waihapu; gives impressions of his new station and local rivalry between Methodist and Anglican missions Quantity: 1 folder(s) 9 letters.
Correspondence - Volumes 26 (continued) to 27 WAT - ZUC; Supplementary correspondence; ...
Date: 1830-1887
From: Australian Joint Copying Project : Miscellaneous Series microfilm
Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-20-2282
Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).
Minutes of the Meeting of the Northern Wesleyan Mission
Date: 22 August 1842 - [ca 1990s s- 2020s]
From: Frankcom, Margaret, active 1991-2023: Collection of New Zealand missionary and pioneer mail
By: Hobbs, John (Rev), 1800-1883; Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Reference: MS-Papers-12917-2-7
Description: Lot description from Spink Auction House: "1842 (22 Aug.), part 2 of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Northern Wesleyan Mission, written by Missionaries John Hobbs and William Woon at Mangnunu Mission House, Hokianga Harbour to London. [...] Carried by the Bristolian to Sydney and by the Olinda to England via Ascension. The minutes include lots of queries on the progress on the constructions of chapels and other church matters." Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Delivered to Library in a Spinks Auction House folder labelled with lot number "2029". Quantity: 1 folder(s) contains letter, and supporting research documentation.
Mair, Gilbert, 1799-1857 : Inward letters
Date: 1841-1848
By: Mair, Gilbert, 1799-1857
Reference: MS-Papers-10823
Description: Letters to Gilbert Mair on a variety of topics from Rev Richard Taylor, William Woon, William Powditch, Charles Baker, John Warren Source of title - Supplied by Library Quantity: 5 folder(s). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss
Letters
Date: 1835-1838
From: Wesleyan missionary letters
Reference: MS-Papers-2624-05
Description: Letters mostly written by Nathaniel Turner and concerned with Wesleyan missionary activity at Tonga and New Zealand. Letter from James Watkin to Turner, 30 October 1835, is critical of William Woon ('a poor printer - every book he carried through the press was a burlesque upon printing') and several contain comments on the affairs of William White and the arrival of the Catholic mission. There is also a transcript of the 1822 deed of the Baron de Thierry and a draft of a letter to Henry Williams over the dispute between the missions over the Waikato stations, 23 November 1838. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Piece level inventory available.
Letters
Date: 1836-1849
From: Wesleyan missionary letters
Reference: MS-Papers-2625-1
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Wesleyan Mission Papers Vol 3
Date: 1866-1879
From: Wesleyan mission papers relating to New Zealand
Reference: qMS-2175
Description: Letters of Thomas Buddle, 1866-1878: Covers period when he was occupied succussively in the Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington & Nelson circuits and finally took charge of Wesley College, The Three Kings. Circuit work and finances are described in detail; the murder of Brother Whiteley by the Maori is fully described. Comments on NZ secular affairs; mention of Rev George Brown, Rev Shirley Baker & Dr Fitchett Letters and papers of Revs Aldred, Allsworth, Harding, Kirk, Reid, Swales and Simmonds, mostly addressed to the General Mission Secretary in Sydney, 1855-1878 Letters and papers of Revs Turton, Wallis and Warren addressed usually to the general Mission Secretary in Sydney, 1856-1875 Miscellaneous letters and papers, 1856-1879 Quantity: 1 volume(s).
Letters and other papers
Date: 1856-1859
From: Wesleyan missionary letters
Reference: MS-Papers-2625-3
Description: Letters between various Wesleyan missionaries. Also includes minutes of a meeting of the Missionary Committee, 12 Aug 1856. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Portrait of William Woon
Date: [ca 1830]
From: Simpson, Mīria, 1922-2002: Collection
Reference: PA12-3296
Description: Portrait of the Rev. William Woon taken from a miniature held in the Taranaki Museum (now Puke Ariki), New Plymouth. Quantity: 1 colour original transparency/ies.
Letters
Date: 1840-1844
From: Wesleyan missionary letters
Reference: MS-Papers-2624-07
Description: Contains a series of letters between Whiteley and Maunsell July 1840 to March 1841 (in continuation of those in the previous folder)re the dispute over whether the Wesleyans or the Church Mission would control the Waikato. There is also one letter from James Stack to William Woon (1842) and a printed circular with annotation from Elijah Hoole to James Buller relating to financial problems at the WMS. There are several further letters from James Watkin to James Buller, 1842-1843. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Finding Aids: Piece level inventory available.
Primitive Methodist Itinerant Preachers' Friendly Society records; Individual collections
Date: 1818-1925
From: Australian Joint Copying Project : Miscellaneous Series microfilm
Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-20-2974
Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).
Schnackenberg, Cort Henry, 1812-1880: Papers
Date: 1846-1886
By: Schnackenberg, Cort Henry (Rev), 1812-1880
Reference: 82-174
Description: Twenty volumes of letterbooks, including letters in German and Māori giving detailed accounts of his own work and mission progress as well as local Māori politics. Quantity: 1 box(es). 0.30 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (photocopies). Finding Aids: Partial listing available..
Woon, William (Rev) 1803-1858 : Journal (Photocopy of qMS-2292-2293)
Date: 1830-1859
By: Woon, William (Rev), 1803-1858
Reference: fMS-263
Description: Quantity: 1 volume(s) (429 pages). Physical Description: Holograph (photocopy) (47 cm; ¼ brown calf, brown buckram hinged-lid box)