Milly Don

Surname:

Don

Given names:

Milly

Given address:

Dunedin

Sheet No: 151

Town/Suburb:

No suburb given

City/Region:

Dunedin

Notes:

Milly also signed sheet 65 of the petition.

Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley

Amelia/Milly Ann Don was born about 1861 in America – the daughter of Francis Warne, a miner, and Amelia Pryor Hodgess.

Milly’s parents were both born in Devon, England - they had emigrated to America with their first child about 1857. Milly and her brother Francis were both born in America before the family returned to England shortly after Milly’s birth.

In 1870 the family emigrated to Victoria, Australia on the Nineveh.

Milly apparently met her future husband Alexander Don, a Presbyterian minister and missionary, in Australia.

She sailed for Otago in 1883 and they were married at Warepa, near Balclutha, on 14 April 1883.

Milly and Alexander spent time in Riverton and Lawrence before moving to Dunedin.

They had seven children and when Milly signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Lees St, Dunedin.

After a short time in Palmerston North they returned to Dunedin before retiring to Ophir, in Central Otago.

Alexander died in 1934 and Milly died at her daughter’s home in Green Island on 20 March 1937. They are buried together in the Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.

Her obituary said 'in many ways Mrs Don gave valuable assistance as her husband followed the missionary campaign which led to the initiation of work in Canton by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mrs Don, who was the possessor of a rich and powerful contralto voice, gave freely of her services at various public functions, at which her singing was greatly appreciated. During the Great War, with four members of the family absent on active service, Mrs Don’s health was greatly impaired and she was no longer able to take part in public functions...She was loved by all who knew her for her Christian gentleness and thoughtfulness for others.'