William left England on the HMS Alumbagh in 1875, with his Eldest son William and pregnant wife Matilda. The HMS Alumbagh arrived in Auckland on August 18th 1875. He worked as a teacher, After teaching he became a farmer in Frankton and Hamilton and after farming became editor of "The Waikato Times". He worked as chief clerk at the Defence Office during the Boer War retiring from there on a pension. He father 8 sons and 1 daughter.
In New Zealand he changed the name from Caselton to Castleton the original family name.
Alumbagh
Ship: 1137 tons
Captain: Lowe
Surgeon Superintendent: Dr Warren
Sailed London May 9th 1875 - arrived Auckland August 18th 1875One of the early charters of the New Zealand Shipping Company, before it had a fleet of its own, was the fine ship Alumbagh, a vessel of 1138 tons, which in 1875 brought out over 400 passengers to Auckland. Sailing from London on May 9th, in command of Captain Lowe, she crossed the Equator on the 10th June, rounded the Cape on the 16th July, sighted the Three Kings on the 13th, and arrived at Auckland on the 17th August. Two severe gales were encountered during the passage - the first on the 27th May, when the ship suffered considerable damage. The second occurred shortly after rounding he Cape, and heavy weather continued until the New Zealand coast was sighted on the 13th August.
The immigrants arriving by the Alumbagh consisted of 283 English, 109 Irish, 13 Scotch, and 9 of Welsh nationality. During the voyage there were 16 deaths, mostly children. On the 24th June the Alumbagh passed an abandoned ship, that had evidently been burnt out, as her name was illegible.
1881 Electoral Roll: William Charles Caselton, Property Type: Residential, Electorate: Franklin South, Residence: Maungatawhiri, Occupation: Teacher.
Obituary for Mr W C Castleton: Mr William Charles Castleton who died at Kerepaehi on March 9 at the age of 78 years, was born at Crayford, Kent, England in 1853. The family to whcih he belonged had been for several generations large gardeners, supplying Covent Garden Markets, London. Mr Castleton sailed for New Zealand in the ship Alumbagh and arrived in Auckland in 1875 and was for a short time employed in Mason's Nursery Gardens. He afterwards joined the Education Department and became assistant teacher at Newton East School, later taking charge of Hunua School in 1878. He was transferred to Maungatawhiri Valley School and thence went to Pokeno. He resigned from the teaching profession to take up farming and fruitgrowing at Frankton and Hamilton. He then turned his Attention to Journalism and was for serval years editor of the "Waikato Times" at Hamilton and later managing Editor of the "Te Aroha News". Afterwards he was appointed to reorganise the Parliamentary Library at Wellington. He possessed a remarkable knowledge of English Literature and was a facile writer of graceful verse. At the beginning of the Boer War Mr Castleton was appointed chief Clerk and Paymaster in the Defence Office at Auckland and held that position until the close of the Great War, when he retired on Superannuation.
Mr Castleton is survived by 8 son's and 1 daughter, Mrs E J Williams of Kerepeehi. The son's are Messrs William Arthur Castleton of Mt Albert, born in England. Horace J A Castleton of Manunui born on board the "Alumbagh". W H Castleton of Rangiriri, L E Castleton of Birkenhead, P H Castleton of Rotorua. W S Castleton of Warkworth, E O Castleton of Vancouver, and L C Castleton of Birkdale. There are 28 Grandchildren and eight Great Grandchildren.