Eugenie Beckett

Biography contributed by Clare Cramond

Eugenie Beckett was born to Mary and Feliz (sic) Goullett in 1866. They were listed as Mary Christina and Felix Goullett on her brother Felix’s birth registration four years later. It is likely that Frances Rigby who also signed the Petition is Eugenie’s older sister. There was a newspaper report from 16 March 1869 describing the family’s escape from their home during the Hauhau disturbances and walking miles to safety.

There were many variations to the spelling of Eugenie’s name throughout her life. Her marriage registration to Harry Beckett in 1887 gave her name as Jennie Goulett. She was also given variations of Isabel as a middle name.

Harry’s mother Mary Ann Hayden and sisters-in-law, (married to his older brothers George and William; Jane Hallett Beckett and Elizabeth Beckett) were also signatories to the Petition. Harry was a carpenter and is likely to have worked with his younger brother Albert who became a hotelier in Frasertown.

Harry and Eugenia had five daughters between 1890 and 1901, Olive Lavinia, Eva Eleanor, Gladus Edna, Linda, Daisy Mearl and Clara Hazel.

Harry died in 1933 in Frasertown and Eugenie in 1956, aged 90 years. Both were buried at Wairoa.

Sources

Births Deaths and Marriages Online https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18690316.2.13 Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1031, 16 March 1869, Page 2

Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205709206/harry-beckett

New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95V-89V7-7?cc=1865481&wc=4BVZ-DQD%3A1045248401%2C1579320701 : 15 October 2015), Wellington Court > Probate records 1933 P52532/33-P52590/33 > image 108 of 802; Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office.

The Cyclopedia Company, Limited; 1908, Christchurch http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d25-d10.html