Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Caroline Perry was born in 1859 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia– the daughter of George Perry and Bridget Managel.
She married Thomas James Tucker in 1877, this marriage did not appear to be a happy one as, in 1878, Thomas placed an advertisement in the Williamstown Chronicle saying that he would not be responsible for any debts contracted by his wife.
The following year she was living with her parents 'apart from her husband'.
Once again, in 1885, Thomas placed an advertisement regarding debts contracted by Caroline. She retorted with a letter to the Editor saying that 'I have never asked or attempted to ask' for credit. 'I hold the position of cook in a first class Sydney hotel'.
Thomas 'the beloved husband of Caroline Tucker' died at the Kew Asylum, Victoria in November 1887.
Caroline moved to New Zealand and married George William Lenz on 21 August 1891 in the Waitahuna Parish.
When Caroline signed the suffrage petition she gave her address as Filleul St although her residence in the electoral roll was given as Waitahuna.
She worked as a dressmaker and had a few disputes in the courts regarding work done.
George died in the Stratford Hospital in 1912 and Caroline disappears from the records after this time.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
BDM Victoria https://online.justice.vic.gov.au
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au