TONGA

The Tupou Dynasty
GENEALOGY
1845 - 1893 H.M. Sia’osi Taufa’ahau Tupou [George Tupou I], By the grace of God, King of Tonga. b. at Niu‘ui, Lifuka, Ha’apai, 4th December 1797, as Maeakafa Nginigini Ofolanga, only surviving son of H.H. Tupouto’a, 17th Tu’i Konokupolo, by his first wife, Taufa Ho’amofaleono, daughter of Malu’otaufa, 4th Ma’afu-‘o-Tukui’aulahi, of Vaini. Given the name of rsquo;ahau, after he was saved from a serious illness by the deity Taufa’itahi, of ‘Ahau. Appointed as Tu’i Ha’apai by his father in 1820, and continued to hold that territory after his death. Defeated Laufilitonga, Tu’i Tonga, at the battle of Velata in 1826. Baptised with the name of Sia’osi (George), in honour of the late King George III, 7th August 1831. Succeeded his father-in-law as Tu’i Vava’u 1833. Proclaimed the end of serfdom in his domains in 1835. Published the Vava’u Code 16th May 1838, and publicly promulgated at Pouono, Neiafu, Vava’u, 20th November 1839, the first written laws in Tonga. Succeeded on the death of his uncle as the 19th Tu’i Konokupolo, 19th November 1845 (confirmed by the chiefs 2nd December 1845). Installed at the Pangai Green, Kolovai, Tongatapu, taking the title of Tupou, 4th December 1845. Recognised as ‘O Tu’i Tonga thereafter. Established his capital at Nuku’alofa. Removed the capital to Lifuka in 1847 but returned to Nuku’alofa in 1851. Defeated the last of his opponents at Bea and consolidated his position as undisputed ruler of all Tonga, 10th August 1852. Visited Australia and New Zealand in 1853. Concluded a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 9th January 1855 (thereby securing the first recognition as King of Tonga as well as Tongan independence by a world power). Abolished serfdom throughout Tonga (the Edict of Emancipation) and established the first Parliament 4th June 1862. Installed at Vava’u as the 40th Tu’i Tonga, 1865. Confirmed as ‘O Tu’i Tonga (King of All Tonga) on the establishment of the first written constitution, 4th November 1875. As King-in-Parliament, declared himself Tu’i Ha’atakalaua 1895 (thus uniting all three ancient kingly titles in his person). General and C-in-C of the forces 4/11/1875-1893. Entered into treaty relations with France (1855), Germany (1876), Britain (1879) and the USA (1886). Established the Wesleyan Free Church and made it the state church of Tonga, 1885. Founder and Sovereign of the Royal Order of King George Tupou I in four classes after 1882. Rcvd: Knt of the Order of the Red Eagle of Prussia 1st class (18.7.1878). m. (first) ca. 1823 (repudiated 1834) Finau Kaunanga, eldest daughter of Finau-‘Ulukalala-‘i-Pouno-Tuapasi’i Sefaria, Tu’i Vava’u and 3rd Finau-‘Ulukalala, by his first wife, Tupouto’a, daughter of H.H. Tupou Lahisi’, 10th Tu’i Konokupolo. m. (second) 1833 (pagan rite) and 27th March 1834 (Christian rite), H.M. Queen Salote Lupe Pau‘u [H.M. Queen Charlotte] (b. 1815; d. at the Royal Palace, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu, 8th September 1889, in her 75th year, bur. Mala’e Lahi, ‘Uiha, Ha’apai), former wife of H.H. Samuelio Fatafehi Laufilitonga, 39th Tu’i Tonga, younger daughter of Tamatau’hala, Makamalohi, by his wife Hala‘evalu Mohe’ofo, daughter of Finau-‘Ulukalala-‘i-Feletoa, Tu’i Vava’u and 2nd Finau-‘Ulukalala. He had previously married several secondary wives (a) ca. 1823 (repudiated 1834) Kalolaine Fusimatalili [‘Caroline Fusi the bad tempered’] (m. second, Tu’ia Pakai, by whom she had further issue), daughter of ‘Ufimatamoana, Fusitu’a, by his wife, Tu’imatamoana, daughter of Kamoto. m. (b) ca. 1826 (repudiated 1834) Selia Pasikole, daughter of Sione Hikehika’imoa To’imoana, by his wife, Fielea Tofilau, daughter of Sosifa Tokolahikovi. m. (c) 1824 (repudiated June 1832) Salata [Charlotte] (b. at Monono, Samoa, ca 1812), daughter of High Chief Tuilaepa Matetau, of Monono, Samoa. He d. at the Royal Palace, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu, 18th February 1893 (bur. Mala’e Kula, Tongatapu), having had issue, four sons and a daughter:
Copyright© Christopher Buyers, May 2001 - June 2024