Margaret Colthart

Biographical information provided by Briar Barry for the He Tohu exhibition:

Margaret was born in 1846 in Ireland. She immigrated to New Zealand with her sister in 1863. Three years later she married Scotsman, Robert Colthart in Christchurch. The couple went on to have nine children together. 

Robert and Margaret owned and lived at a series of properties in Canterbury. By the time that Margaret signed the Petition the couple were living at 'Roecombe' in Sheffield where Margaret was a keen supporter of the local Presbyterian church.

Robert was looked upon as the 'father' of Canterbury Tennis. He encouraged the game in Canterbury, importing the first tennis racquet and tennis ball and building a full sized tennis court on his lawn which was always available to the local residents. He played regularly until his eightieth year and occasionally into his nineties.

Related images:

Margaret and Robert Colthart with their youngest son James.