
So here is my connection to the Bowater family of Clent and more accurately the family of William and Charlotte Bowater nee Rutter. As the will mentions several brothers came to New Zealand and Joseph Bowater was one of them.
He was born on 26 January 1841 in Cabbage Hall Dudley, he and his brothers came to New Zealand in the 1860 aboard the Coleroon. While aboard the ship he met Mary Ann Hills daughter of Charles and Harriate Hills nee Jenkins from Guernsey and after arriving in Wellington were married on 13 April 1867.
He worked as a carpenter/joiner and they had 7 children, their daughter Annie Deibitah Bowater was born on 01 August 1869.
Annie Bowater married Andreas Hans Thompson son of William Thompson (Wilhelm Tomasen) and Catherine Thompson nee Yorston 05 August 1890. Joseph had died in Wellington on 07 January 1883.
Andreas and Annie had 5 children, one whom was Robert Yorston Thompson who was born on 01 October 1897, he would marry Frances May Edkins on 07 April 1917 daughter of Sydney James Edkins from Birmingham and Emily Maude Edkins nee Cook from Johannesburg.
Robert and Frances were my Great grandparents, there are a few second marriages and generations if anyone is interested, also any on researching these lines should consider getting access to "Bowaters to the Antipodies" by Louise Bowater.