In a newspaprer eulogy for their son there is reference made to the family of John and Nancy Ann Maxwell, it said they took their family and lived on land in Pietermaritzburg,Natal,Africa circa 1840-1850, leaving there due to the Kaffir uprising The son recalled meeting and being patted on the head by that famous explorer,Dr Livinstone The family then returned to John Maxwells native homeland Edinburgh,Scotland before their premanant departure for New Zealand