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Local historian Bryan Jackson has just completed his latest book, The Morrisons Fruit & Family 1842–2026, after eight months of research, writing and production.
It documents one of Warkworth’s most significant early settler families – the Morrisons.
“I’m a member of Heritage Mahurangi Inc and Bevan Morrison came and gave us a presentation. I was looking for a new book to write and thought wow that family’s interesting, so I approached him with the idea and he invited me to meet his family,” Jackson said.
He interviewed several branches of the Morrison family and undertook extensive archival research, covering properties at Hepburn Creek Road and Auckland Road.
The book starts in Scotland with the birth of Donald Morrison in 1751, and follows his grandson John Morrison, who emigrated to NZ in 1842 aboard the Jane Gifford, then his son Edward, who established the original Morrison orchard and nursery, buying 386 acres at Red Bluff in 1873.
Jackson then details how World War I, fire blight and changing markets led to the decline of large-scale orchard operations in the area with land later converted into dairy farming and mixed agricultural use.
The book also examines the long-debated spelling of the Morrison surname, which has often appeared with one ‘R’, and he draws on original marriage records, land grants and personal correspondence to make his case.
Jackson describes his prolific output as a long-running personal hobby rather than a commercial enterprise, one he fits around other commitments and ongoing involvement in local heritage projects.
This book was produced as a small print run of 50 copies, with 35 pre-ordered by members of the Morrison family before publication.
The Morrisons Fruit & Family 1842–2026 is available from Paper Plus in Warkworth. Jackson’s next book, Warkworth Landmarks, is expected later this year.
Book Giveaway
For your chance to win a copy of The Morrisons, email editor@localmatters.co.nz with the Subject heading, ‘Book Competition’. Competition closes 27 January.
