Isabella McIntyre

Isabella McIntyre (aka Isabella Ponton McIntyre) daughter of Hugh McIntyre and Grace Young was born 25 November 1851 at Fox Hall Station, which was located in present day Dorodong, Victoria, Australia. Hugh had taken up the lease at Fox Hall in 1849 and held it until 1855 when the family moved to Hamilton, Victoria. Hugh purchased 595 acres on the Muddy Creek, south-east of Hamilton in 1857, named the property Hopetoun, and farmed there until around 1866.

Isabella was 15 when in 1867, the McIntyre family moved to New Zealand where Hugh took up the lease on Merino Downs station, located near present day Merino Downs, Clutha, Otago.

Isabella was 42 when she signed the petition in 1893. She was listed in the 1893 electoral roll living in Gore and designated as a lady. She continued with that designation until 1908, after which she was designated a spinster – Isabella never married.

By 1907 Isabella is operating a boarding house and from 1910 she is known to be living in Crombie Street operating a boarding house until around 1919. Isabella then moved to Traford Street and is listed in the electoral rolls at that address until 1935, when she was 84.

Isabella was 90 when she died on the 12th of July 1942 at the Orokonui Home in Waitati, near Dunedin. She was buried 2 days later in the Tapanui cemetery, with her parents Hugh and Grace, brothers Donald and James, and James’ wife Isabella.