Biography contributed byu Katherine Blakeley
Hannah Fox was born in the registration district of Dudley, England in 1860. On 24 Dec 1862 her family arrived at the port of Lyttleton on the Echunga. The family settled in the Waimate area and in 1878 she married Alfred Walker, a carpenter.
They had seven children. Hannah died in 1937 and is buried in the Waimate Cemetery beside Alfred who died five years later.
Sources
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Waimate District Council www.waimatedc.govt.nz
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Additional biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Hannah Walker was born Hannah Fox on 25 September 1860 in Tipton, Dudley, Staffordshire, England to Benjamin Fox and Ann Roberts.
On 2 September 1862 Benjamin, his wife Ann and children James 6yrs, Joseph 4yrs and Hannah 1yr departed London on the ship Echunga arriving in Lyttelton on 24 December 1862.
The Fox family were one of the early settlers in Waimate.
On 3 December 1878 Hannah Fox married Albert Walker on 3 December 1878 in St Pauls Presbyterian church, Waimate, South Canterbury.
Hannah and Alfred had seven children; Alfred Henry Walker born in 1879, Cuthbert Harold Walker born 1881, Hannah Beatrice Ethel Walker born 1883, Gertrude Mable Walker born 1886, Bertha Hilda Walker born 1888, John Benjamin Fox Walker born 1891, and Herbert Clifford Walker born 1894.
From 1880-81 to 1890 Albert had a freehold property in Waimate – part rural section 5725, 3 roomed house.
The 1928 and 1935 electoral rolls record Albert living at Main North Road, Waimate, occupation Builder.
Alfred Walker was a Builder. He designed the Waimate Public Library and built the Stewards stand for the Waimate Racing Club. The Oamaru Trotting Club grandstand was built to his plans and specifications.
Hannah Walker died on 22 April 1937 age 77 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, Plot 000029.
In Hannah’s Will she left her Erskine Motor car or other motor car owned at her death to her husband, Alfred.
Alfred Walker died on 13 August 1942 age 91 years and is also buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, Plot 000030.
Sources
Otago Witness newspaper 16 December 1865
Timaru Herald newspaper 13 January 1873 Pg 4 – Waimate District School
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1878/2944 Hannah Fox/Albert Walker
Press newspaper 23 April 1937, Pg 19 – Funeral Notice – Hannah Walker
Archives New Zealand, Probate Records – Hannah Walker
Press newspaper 24 September 1942, Pg 6 – Obituary Mr A Walker
Waimate District Council cemetery online database
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