Biographical information provided by Jared Davidson, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Charlotte Lydia Dierce (nee Land), later known as Charlotte Lydia Rivers, was born on Christmas Day 1865, the oldest child of Archibald and Henrietta Land.
On 5 June 1890 Charlotte married William Henry Dierce, the son of John and Margaret Dierce (Margaret aslo signed this Sheet of the Petition). William was a farmer from Woodend. Together they had six children.
In 1919 Charlotte applied to the Supreme Court to have her surname and that of her six children changed from Dierce to Rivers. The deed was granted. Four years later Charlotte and William divorced.
Charlotte died on 8 July 1939 in Hawarden.
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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