Note that the three names on Sheet 265 also appear on Sheet 268
Biographical information provided by Briar Barry, Alexander Turnbull Library, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Mary Ann Allfrey migrated to Canterbury from Sussex with her father, George Allfrey, stepmother Arabella, and her brother Alfred.
Mary Ann married James Anderson, a blacksmith at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Christchurch on 22 April 1857. James had emigrated from Musselburgh, Scotland. James set up his smithy in Kaiapoi, first on the North Road and then at 8 Charles Street. Mary Anne and James had four boys and three girls.
Mary Anne was employed on the Charlotte Jane as a nursemaid for the family of Dr A. C. Barker and his wife. She was a keen member of the Canterbury Early Settlers’ Association and was involved with the women’s suffrage movement.
Related images:
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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