Harriet Joiner

Surname:

Joiner

Given names:

Harriet

Given address:

Ngapara

Sheet No: 299

Town/Suburb:

Ngapara

City/Region:

Otago

Notes:

Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley

Harriet Beale was born in 1851 in Little Bredy, Dorset, England – the daughter of Joseph Beale, an agricultural labourer, and Jane Vincent.

She married George Joiner, a navvy, in 1875 and soon after their marriage the young couple sailed for Otago on the Waimate.

They settled in North Otago where George worked as a ganger for the railways and they had 13 children, one who died in infancy.

When Harriet signed the suffrage petition they were living at Ngapara.

In 1902 they moved to Oamaru – before they left their friends gave them a 'fitting send-off' which comprised of a surprise party at their home.

George was presented with an easy chair by the teachers of the Presbyterian Sunday School and Harriet was given a lamp by the Presbyterian Women’s Mission Union 'as a memento of their many meetings together'. The 'general public' also presented them with a purse of sovereigns.

George died at their home 'Corriedale' in 1919 and Harriet died at their son’s home on 24 January 1934.

They are buried together in the Old Oamaru Cemetery.