Biographical information provided by Stefanie Lash, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Annie Johnstone was born in Tasmania in 1844 to Scottish parents James Johnstone and Janet Hislop. Her father was the carpenter for the Canterbury Association, and the family came with other carpenters on the ‘Rebecca’ in 1850.
In 1864 Annie married Captain William Henderson Meikleham, a seaman who later became an advertising agent, and they had seven children, six daughters and one son. One daughter, Elsie, died as a baby. The family was active in their Sydenham community in sports clubs, music and school boards.
Captain Meikleham died in 1914, and Annie four years later.
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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