Trader, Pakeha-Maori, sailor, showman, lecturer. Burns, born in Liverpool, probably about 1806 or 1807, was a sailor who came to New Zealand in 1827, married a Maori woman, Te Amotawa, and settled for a time among East Coast Maori, having himself tattooed. One son, Hori Waiti, survived to adulthood. He left New Zealand in 1834 and made public appearances in Australia and England, relating his experiences; he had returned to England by 1836. Rev T Nott and Thomas Morgan, both of Southampton, heard Burns lecture in 1836 and E J Wakefield heard him in London in Sep 1845. He lectured in York around December 1849 and January 1850. He also married Rosina Crowther in England in 1841. See DNZB (Vol 1, 1769-1869, entry B50). Died in Plymouth 26 December 1860, according to his death certificate.
Burns, Barnet, 1807?-1860
The White Chief - Newspaper cuttings
Date: 1926
From: Craig, Elsdon Walter Grant, 1917-1980 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-7888-171
Description: Newspaper cuttings concerning the cases of John Rutherford of the brig Agnes, who in 1816 was captured by East Cape Maori, and of Barnet Burns in 1829, both of whom claimed to have been made chiefs. The cuttings have been taken from the `Gisborne Times'. Includes articles on early Pakeha/ Maori relationships and cannibalism and some handwritten notes on Hongi. The volumes are labelled `7' and `8', but no other volumes in this sequence have been found. Quantity: 1 folder(s) 2 items.
Wakefield, Edward Jerningham 1820-1879 : Diary
Date: 1 May 1845-4 Sep 1846
By: Wakefield, Edward Jerningham, 1820-1879
Reference: MS-2210-2211
Description: Diary kept by J Wakefield in London after his return from New Zealand Diary refers to a public address by Barnet Burns, an English sailor who lived among East Coast Maori, 1827-ca 1836, in London on 6 Sep 1845. Source of title - Transcribed title Relationship complexity - Typescript available at MS-2209 Arrangement: MS-2211 is a photocopy of MS-2210 Quantity: 2 volume(s) (160 pages). 0.04 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (25cm)
Drafts, proof sheets, clippings, and maps
Date: 1906
From: Cowan family: Collection
By: Messenger, Arthur Herbert, 1877-1962
Reference: MS-Papers-11946-143
Description: Holograph drafts, proof sheets, clippings, and maps, mainly relating to Kimble Bent, Gustavus von Tempsky, and Barnet Burns. The maps are ink drawings by A H Messenger and comprise a 'Sketch showing attack on Katikara Entrenchments June 4 1863'; 'North Island of New Zealand "Te Ika a Maui" Scenes of principal engagements in Maori Wars 1845-1872'; and 'Map showing the lines of Military posts between the Thames Gulf & the Waikato River. 1863'. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Folder of holograph drafts, printer's proofs, clippings, and maps drawn in ink.
Artist unknown :Pahe-a-Range / of the Orong Ewero tribe, the / New Zealand [portrait] C...
Date: 1842 - 1843
Reference: B-032-016
Description: Shows full-length portrait of Barnet Burns, in Maori dress, holding long spear in left hand. In right background is a grass dwelling, and in left background is a sailing ship. Another copy held in Rex Nan Kivell Collection, National Library of Australia, Cat. no. U/35. Extended Title - Lecture Room, Nelson Street. Extraordinary attraction. Inscriptions: Recto - above image - Lecture Room, Nelson Street. / Extraordinary attraction. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Broadside, black and white 505 x 190 mm.
Sutcliffe, J, fl 1840s-1850s :Pahe-A-Rance, the New Zealand chief. B Burns. [Drawn] fro...
Date: 1849 - 1850
By: Sutcliffe, J, active 1840s-1850s; Monkhouse, W, active 1840s
Reference: B-110-061
Description: Shows Barnet Burns, a European, in Maori costume and with his head heavily tattooed. He wears a feather cloak, short fringed skirt, and laced sandals, and has an axe tucked into his belt. His shoulder length hair is partially bound in a topknot, with feathers standing up from it. He wears a tiki around his neck, and holds a taiaha in his right hand. At the left a dog sits on the ground beside him. Dating: This lithograph has been dated 1844, probably on the basis of Barnet Burns' booklet, A brief narrative of a New Zealand chief ... printed in Belfast, in 1844. However the lithograph is 'drawn from life' and published in York. Burns visited York to lecture only once, in December 1849 to January 1850. The publication date of 1849 or 1850 appears to be more likely than 1844. Barnet Burns gave lectures in Britain during a visit from New Zealand. The first lecture mentioned on NZBN was in 1842. A book reproducing a version of this portrait, was published in 1850. Other Titles - Pahe-A-Range Inscriptions: Verso - top left - R 180 - Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Tinted lithograph, 383 x 266 mm, on sheet 506 x 379 mm. Provenance: Previously from an Australian source. The inscription R 180 on verso, may indicate an Indian or Russian provenance.
Nott, T (Rev) fl 1836 : Journal
Date: 25 Jan-31 May 1836
By: Nott, T (Rev), active 1836
Reference: MS-1724
Description: Includes account of Maori life and customs as related by Barnet Burns, a sailor who left England for Australasia in 1827, married a Maori woman and lived for some time among East Coast Maori. He left New Zealand in 1834 and later made public appearances in England and Australia describing his experiences; Thomas Morgan also heard him in Southampton in 1836, and E J Wakefield attended his lecture in London in 1845. Also contains material for sermons and other religious commentary Source of title - Supplied title Reverend Nott was a Southampton minister of religion Quantity: 1 volume(s) (356 pages). Physical Description: Holograph (20 cm; marbled boards, in phase box)
Copy of public lecture advertisement for "Pahe-a-Range"
Date: [1990s?], ca 1843
Reference: Eph-C-MAORI-1843
Description: Copy of an advertisement for a lecture by Barnet Burns, a Pākehā-Māori man also known as Pahe-a-Range. Photocopy made circa 1990s. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Artist unknown :Pahe-a-Range, of the Orong Ewero tribe, New Zealand chief [who has had ...
Date: 1840 - 1842
By: Bull & Turner (Firm); Webster, Kenneth Athol, 1906-1967
Reference: A-059-007-a
Description: Portrait of tattooed Pahe-a-Range (Barnet Burns) clipped and glued to paper backing along with the title of the broadsheet on which it appeared and part of the associated text for Burns' first lecture Bagnall item no. 795. Ferguson copy has bottom line: A beautiful panoramic view of New Zealand will be exhibited. Ferguson copy also lacks bottom border. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Broadside, black and white, trimmed and glued to sheet 230 x 102 mm Provenance: Purchase: Collection of K A Webster, London, 1970. Includes stamp on recto: Webster Collection, with inked number 2044
Artist unknown :Pahe-a-Range,/ of the Orong Ewero tribe,/ the/ New Zealand chief / who ...
Date: 1840 - 1842
By: Bull & Turner (Firm); Webster, Kenneth Athol, 1906-1967
Reference: A-059-007
Description: Portrait of a tattooed European man Pahe-a-Range (Barnet Burns) at the head of a broadsheet advertising two lectures in England on 'the manners and customs of the New Zealanders' (Maori). Bagnall item no. 795. Ferguson copy has bottom line: A beautiful panoramic view of New Zealand will be exhibited. Ferguson copy also lacks bottom border. Another copy held at A-059-007-a, but this is fragmented, and mounted on broadsheet. Bull & Turner engraved similar image of Barnet Burns - see A-059-002. Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Broadside, black and white 340 x 185 mm. Provenance: Purchase: Collection of K A Webster, London, 1970
Notes on early settlers in Poverty Bay (pages 18-97) : (G D Babbington - R Byrne)
Date: [194-]
From: Mackay, Joseph Angus, 1882-1952 : Notes on early settlers in Poverty Bay
Reference: MS-Papers-1006-02
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Morgan, Thomas fl 1836 : Copy of narrative and suggestions of Barnet Burns, with introd...
Date: 1836 (transcribed Aug 1911)
By: Morgan, Thomas, active 1836
Reference: qMS-1396
Description: An attempt to enlist the sympathy of the British government in the colonising schemes of Burns. Contains much biographical information on Burns, an English sailor who lived among East Coast Maori between 1827-1834, returning to England afterwards and giving lectures in Southampton and London, and also Australia, on his travels and experiences. Original documents at the Public Record Office, London; CO 208/2 New Zealand, 1836 and 1837. Transcriber is unknown. Source of title - Title page Thomas Morgan was a Southampton (England) resident Quantity: 1 volume(s) (28 pages). Physical Description: Holograph (34 cm; ½ green morocco, light green boards; by Riviere and Sons) Provenance: Acquired by A H Turnbull.
Cuttings from various newspapers
Date: 1904-1906 [n d]
From: Cowan, James, 1870-1943 : Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-0039-73
Research material on Barnet Burns
Date: 1989
From: Starke, June, 1923-2006 : Research papers
Reference: 2001-060-25
Description: Research notes toward an essay on Barnet Burns Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Wakefield, Edward Jerningham 1820-1879 : Diary
Date: 1 May 1845-4 Sep 1846 (1953)
By: Wakefield, Edward Jerningham, 1820-1879
Reference: MS-2209
Description: Diary kept by E J Wakefield in London after his return from New Zealand Mentions hearing address by Barnet Burns, an English sailor who lived among East Coast Maori between 1827 and ca 1836, in entry for 6 Sep 1845 Source of title - Transcribed title Quantity: 1 volume(s) (57 pages). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Typescript (25cm, red linen)
Photographic prints relating to Māori people, whare, pā, and landscapes
Date: [1907-1915]
From: Cowan family: Collection
By: Andrew, Thomas, 1855-1939; McDonald, James Ingram, 1865-1935
Reference: PAColl-10460-19
Description: Photographs relating to Māori people, whare, and landscapes, taken by various photographers including Thomas Andrew, between circa 1907 and 1915. Some of the images are photographs of artworks including paintings and sketches. Includes: - Images of Kipa Hemi Wharo and his mother Haromi - An image of Lieutenant H. S. Bates [?] - An image of a Māori battle scene (possibly from the filming of 'Rewi's Last Stand') - A whare in Ruatoki - Tamasese photographed by [Thomas?] Andrew - A photograph of a sketch by S Percy Smith dated 1858, of Rotomahana - A photograph of a painting of Ruapekapeka dated 1846 - James McDonald dated 1925 [unclear whether he is the photographer or subject] - A photograph of a painting of a young [Sir] George Grey - Te Rauru wharenui, Whakarewarewa, dated 1886, by J. M. - A photograph of a sketch of Te Rauparaha "during his visit to the College June 6th 1847" which also includes an inset of his mark - A photograph of a sketch of an [unknown] stockade - An unknown Māori man dressed in a pākē (rain cape) and pōtae tauā (mourning cap) - A whale surfacing - A photograph of a sketch of an unnamed pā near Te Rore and Te Rangiawhia drawn by E. Brooke - A photograph of a sketch of Te Whiti - A photograph of Lindauer's painting of tā moko, the annotation on the back says that Tupotahi is chanting in the image - The interior of an unknown carved whare - Images of Kauri trees in Waipoua Forest - The carved door of Te Puea's meeting house 'Te Paki o Matariki' - Interior of "the Maori War Memorial Church at Kahukura, Waiapu Valley, East Cape" - A photograph of a sketch of Barnet Burns - Images of Māori men performing haka with both Māori and European style weapons - Te Arawa chief Kiharoa of Rotorua and Maketu - Three Māori women whitebaiting on the Waikato River - A pātaka - Tupotahi wearing European style clothing - A kōtuku (white heron) Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 40 b&w original photographic print(s). 2 Other printed ephemera item(s). Transfers: Drawings removed for storage reasons. See A-472-026, 027, 034, 038, and 039..
Artist unknown :Barnet Burns. [London, R. & D. Read, 1844]
From: Burns, Barnet, b.1807 :A brief narrative of a New Zealand chief. Being the remarkable history of Barnet Burns, an English sailor, with a faithful account of the way in which he became a chief of one of the tribes of New Zealand ... Belfast, Printed by R & D Read, 1844.
Reference: PUBL-0074-front
Description: Head and shoulders three-quarters frontal portrait of English sailor Barnet Burns, with his face fully tattoed. He is wearing European clothes Extended Title - From The same image also appears on a broadside published England, 1842, advertising Barns' lecture at the Lincoln Mechanics' Institute, in May and June 1842. Copy at A-059-002 Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Wood engraving, 95 x 155 mm
Artist unknown :B. Burns, a New Zealand chief. Lincoln Mechanics' Institution. Syllabus...
Date: 1842
By: Bull & Turner (Firm)
Reference: A-059-002
Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Barnet Burns within text. Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - Bull & Turner Sc. Quantity: 1 photograph(s). Physical Description: Photograph of broadside. Text area 350 x 100 mm (same size as original).
Artist unknown :B. Burns. A New Zealand chief. [London, R. & D. Read, 1844]
From: Burns, Barnet, b.1807 :A brief narrative of a New Zealand chief. Being the remarkable history of Barnet Burns, an English sailor, with a faithful account of the way in which he became a chief of one of the tribes of New Zealand ... Belfast, Printed by R & D Read, 1844.
Reference: PUBL-0074-26
Description: A standing full-length portrait of Barnet Burns, an Englishman who, after being shipwrecked, lived amongst the Maori in 1829, and had himself tattooed. He is wearing feathers in his hair, a fur or feather cloak, a flax skirt, a weapon (probably meant to be a patu) in his belt, a taiaha in his left hand and neck adornments, including a version of a tiki. He has a full facial moko and moko on his calves. Beside his left foot lies a human leg-bone and beyond that is a small hut. In the background, at sea, a European ship is foundering. Below the portrait, a range of Maori spears, bludgeons and clubs forms a decorative pattern Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Wood engraving, 120 x 105 mm
Sutcliffe, J, fl 1840s-1850s :Pahe-A-Rance, the New Zealand chief. B Burns. [Drawn] fro...
Date: 1849 - 1850
By: Sutcliffe, J, active 1840s-1850s; Monkhouse, W, active 1840s; Webster, Kenneth Athol, 1906-1967
Reference: B-110-061-a
Description: Shows Barnet Burns, a European, in Maori costume and with his head heavily tattooed. He wears a feather cloak, short fringed skirt, and laced sandals, and has an axe tucked into his belt. His shoulder length hair is partially bound in a topknot, with feathers standing up from it. He wears a tiki around his neck, and holds a taiaha in his right hand. At the left a dog sits on the ground beside him. Dating: This lithograph has been dated 1844, probably because Barnet Burns' booklet 'A brief narrative of a New Zealand chief ...' was published in Belfast in 1844. However the lithograph was 'drawn from life' in York, and Barnet Burns visited York only once, in December 1849 to January 1850. The publication date of 1849 or 1850 seems more likely than 1844. Barnet Burns gave lectures in Britain during a visit from New Zealand. The first lecture mentioned on NZBN was in 1842. A book reproducing a version of this portrait, was published in 1850. Other Titles - Pahe-A-Range Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s). Physical Description: Tinted lithograph, 383 x 266 mm, on trimmed sheet 400 x 288 mm.