Catherine Campbell

Biography contributed by Dr Nicola Francis

Catherine McINNES was born on 15 May 1858 at Waipū to Ewen McINNES (c1821-1897) and Mary McBAIN (c.1831-1918). Ewen McInnes arrived in New Zealand on the Gazelle in 1853, having sailed to Australia on the Margaret, as part of the migration of Highland Scots-Nova Scotian migration to the Waipū area in Northland.

On 26 March 1878 in Parnell, Auckland, Catherine married Neil Hugh CAMPBELL (1844-1923), who arrived in Auckland on the Ellen Lewis in May 1860.

Catherine gave birth to seven children between 1879 and 1902: Alexander Hugh 1879, Lachlan Bain 1882, Owen Neil 1884, Mary Innes ‘Polly’ 1885, Annie Catherine 1888, Gladys Olive 1896 and Beulah 1902. The family, who ran the local store at The Centre, was actively involved in Waipū Central School where Neil served on the school committee for several years and Chair in 1900. He was secretary of the Waipū Racing Club in 1887.

Catherine was 35-years-old and the mother of five children when she signed sheet 399 of the Women’s Suffrage petition at Waipū in 1893.

Neil died in Waipū on 24 May 1923.

At the time of her youngest child Beulah’s wedding in Auckland in 1933, Catherine lived in Auckland. She died at her home, 3 Empire Road, Epsom, Auckland on 27 April 1943. After a short service in her home on 30 April, Catherine’s funeral travelled to Waipū where a service was held at Waipū Presbyterian Church. She is buried in Waipū Cemetery.

Image

Catherine Campbell née McInnes with her husband and five of her children, circa 1910. Back row from left: Owen, Polly, Lachlan, Annie. Front row from left: Gladys, Catherine, Beulah and Neil Hugh. Alex is absent (Waipū Museum)

Thanks to Polly’s grandson Alistair Robinson for providing the names.