suffrage_petition
Surname: 
Townly
Given names: 
E.
Given address: 
Gisborne
Sheet No: 457
Town/Suburb: 
Gisborne
City/Region: 
East Coast
Notes: 

The 1893 electoral roll confirms Townley Gisborne

Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.

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Bryan Davies

Posted: 13 Feb 2020

Biography contributed by Bryan Davies - great great grandson.
Elizabeth Peers was born in Chester 06 April 1837. She married John Townley in Shrewsbury 05 Febuary 1863
On 26 March 1863 the Townleys left from Gravesend on the " Telegraph " landing in Napier in July 1863 where they stayed until 1873 when they moved to Gisborne.
John was a cabinetmaker by trade but established in Gisborne a large furniture manufacturing and house furnishing business.
From 1890-1908 he was Mayor of Gisborne ( as well as Chairman of the Harbour Board and Chairman of the Fire Brigade )
Elizabeth and John had 4 children and Elizabeth was Mayoress of Gisborne for 18 years in a period of rapid growth and development. She was particularly interested in improving the conditions of women and children. The maternity home was named the Elizabeth Maternity Home.
She died 23 November 1930 at the great age of 93 and is buried with John in the Taruheru Cemetery Gisborne