Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Catherine McBeath was born about 1840 in Sutherland, Scotland – the daughter of John Gordon McBeath, a ploughman, and Williamina Lisk.
Catherine married, tailor, Hugh McLeod on 8 July 1864 in Edinburgh, for some reason her name is recorded as Catherine Gordon in the marriage record. Catherine and Hugh emigrated to Otago shortly after their marriage and they had five children.
Hugh died in 1877 and for a few years Catherine provided accommodation 'for Two Gentlemen; single bedrooms, parlour; 20 minutes’ from Post Office' at her home in Melrose, Roslyn. When she signed the suffrage petition with her daughter Annie (See 114 Annie McLeod) she was still living in Melrose.
She died at her home on 11 February 1910 and is buried with Hugh in the Northern Cemetery.
Her obituary said she 'was the oldest resident of Melrose'. She had 'gained the warm affection of all who knew her. She was a devoted member of Knox Church and was a Dorcas in the preparation of material for church sales of work'.