The 1893 electoral roll confirms Annie Barry married woman Feilding
Biography contributed by Sharlene Rumney
Anne Barry Vaughan was born in Great Sutton, England in 1858 and along with her parents and siblings arrived in Napier in 1876 aboard the Mataura. Anne worked as a teacher at a private girls’ school before marrying Charles Adnam Mountfort (born in Christchurch in 1854) in Feilding on 22 December 1879.
Charles Adnam Mountfort was a Government Surveyor and his biography can be read at https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2m60/mountfort-charles-adnam
During the first years of marriage Anne accompanied Charles on surveying jobs in Okata, Opunake and Waitara before permanently settling in Feilding. She further travelled with Charles to Nelson, Napier and Wanganui and painted landscape scenes during their travels.
Anne and Charles had seven children.
Anne’s obituary noted that her artistic temperament and her oil paintings would be remembered by Feilding residents. Anne also taught drawing classes and was noted for her philanthropic work and for opening and managing a Sunday school on the east side of town.
Anne had also signed the 1892 suffrage petition as Annie B Mountfort. Her sister-in-law Emily Kate Retemeyer also signed sheet 508.
Anne and Charles celebrated their golden wedding anniversary over Christmas 1929 with a quiet family gathering and received many good wishes and congratulations. At this time they were both in excellent health.
Anne died on 21 February 1938 and Charles on 11 May 1941, they both died at their residence on East Street, Feilding and are buried at Feilding Cemetery.
Sources
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/womens-suffrage/about-the-petition - 1892 suffrage petition Excel spreadsheet
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2m60/mountfort-charles-adnam
https://www.mdc.govt.nz/Services/Cemeteries/Cemetery-Search
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers (all newspaper articles below from Papers Past)
Feilding Star (issue 176, 25 January 1898)
Manawatu Standard (issue 32, 4 January 1930)
Manawatu Standard (issue 73, 23 February 1938)
New Zealand Herald (issue 22973, 26 February 1938)
Manawatu Standard (issue 139, 14 May 1941)
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