Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Agnes Blyth was born in 1867 in New Zealand, the daughter of George and Agnes Fanny Bowman. The Bowmans were married in Sussex, England in 1866 and immigrated to NZ the next year. They settled in the Dome Valley, near Warkworth and farmed there for many years.
Agnes was the eldest of five children. She lived all her life in the Dome Valley area. In 1912 it was reported that, 'the residents entertained Miss Bowman at a farewell recently, when she was the recipient of a souvenir in the form of a silver backed brush and comb.'
Agnes’ father died in 1913, and in his will, he left the cattle off his farm to be sold and the proceeds to be shared between Agnes and her unmarried sister Isabella. The week after George made his will, he added a codicil leaving a further 50 pounds to Agnes. He died the next week.
Agnes Blyth died October 1927 in Warkworth, aged 50 years. She left all her effects to her unmarried sister Isabella or if she predeceased her, then brother Arthur, valued at 475 pounds. Isabella lived on until 1955. Agnes is buried in the same plot as her parents in the Warkworth Anglican Church Cemetery.
Agnes is the daughter of 378 Fanny Bowman
Sources
Archway probate Agnes Blythe
Archway probate George
PAPERS PAST Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 October 1927, Page 4
PAPERS PAST: Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 6 March 1912, Page 5