Biography contributed by Caitlin Meynell
Sarah Ann Kier/Kear was born 16 June 1827 in the town of Goodrich, Herefordshire, England. She is the second of seven children to Jane (Ann) Evans and John Kear, both from the Herefordshire area.
She lived most of her English years in the town of English Bicknor – it is likely Bicknor St in Templeton is named after this town, as many other Templeton families also came from the area.
On 5 November 1851, she married Samuel Bailey at St Mary the Virgin Church, English Bicknor. Between 1852 and 1869, they had 12 children, 10 of which survived childhood.
In 1863 Sarah, Samuel and their seven children, travelled to Lyttelton on the Brother’s Pride, though this was not a happy trip. Sarah’s child Joseph (aged 2-4 years-old), was the first of 44 to die during the journey and the vessel had to be quarantined on arrival.
The family settled in Templeton, Christchurch and in 1902 lived at Barton Farm. Samuel set up a blacksmith shop alongside farming his land. Samuel served extensively on the Templeton School Committee, Templeton Road Board and was a founding director of the NZ Farmers’ Co-operative Association and the NZ Farmers’ Fire and Marine Association.
In 1901, Sarah and Samuel celebrated their golden wedding anniversary (50 years) with a party – where the attached photos were taken. At this point, they had eight children, 41 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, living.
Sarah outlived her husband who passed in 1906, and she herself passed in 1919. They are buried together in the St Saviours Anglican churchyard in Templeton, alongside many of her children.
Of her children, at least two went on to become farmers and all remained in the Templeton or Christchurch area. Another petition signatory is Agnes Bailey (214) – this is likely Mary Agnes Bailey (nee Powell), who married Sarah’s youngest son, Arthur and lived in Templeton as well.
Sources
NZ Births, Deaths and Marriages
Family Search, ID: L4TQ-JP8
Samuel Bailey biography: http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d6-d22.html
Images
Samuel and Sarah Bailey (Canterbury Museum, Standish and Preece collection)
Samuel and Sarah Bailey with their living children at their golden anniversary party, 1901 (Canterbury Museum, Standish and Preece collection)
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