Biographical information provided for by Christa Hopkinson for the He Tohu exhibition:
Ellen Peacock was born in England in 1841 shortly before her family moved to Napier. In 1862, she married Gavin Peacock. Together, they had 6 children and lived on a 2000 acre farm called Brookefields. Gavin worked as a sheep farmer and the family were involved in the business. Gavin died in 1881, leaving Ellen a widow with six children and a large farm to manage. Ellen donated money to causes such as the New Wing and Children’s Ward at Napier Hospital as well as the Hawke's Bay War Fund. She died aged 86 in 1927. Her grandson, H.B. Peacock, described her as a down to earth woman who encouraged her grandchildren to be independent.
Ellen's daughter, Florence Peacock, signed the same sheet of the suffrage petition.
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