Originally mistranscribed as 'Ameli'
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Amelia Martha Sherwin was born about 1856 in Australia – the daughter of Peter Sherwin, a wheelwright, and Matilda Myers.
She came to New Zealand with her family as a young child and settled in Dunedin.
Amelia married bootmaker George Oates Crowther on 14 February 1877 and they had 13 children, one who was stillborn and four who died in infancy.
When Amelia signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Main St Maori Hill.
Amelia died at her home on 27 December 1919 and George died in 1939 – they are buried together in the Andersons Bay Cemetery.
Her obituary said she 'was of sterling character, and will be missed by those who had the privilege of her acquaintanceship.'
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Presbyterian Research Centre https://www.presbyterian.org.nz/archives/
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
Community contributions