Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Isabella Emily Gunn was born about 1821 in Caithness, Scotland, daughter of John Gunn and Margaret Christy Sinclair. In May 1853 Isabella arrived in Melbourne, Australia on board the Sea.
One year later, in May 1854 Isabella married Donald Gow in Melbourne. Donald was also born in Caithness, Scotland about 1824, son of James Gow and Johan Henderson. It has not been established when and where Donald arrived in Australia. They moved to Torquay, Tasmania where Donald worked as a carpenter. Four children were born there:
- Christina Emma (1855 -1922)
- Johanna Wilhelmina (1856– 1922)
- James (1858 -1860) died aged 15m at Torquay
- John (1860– 1942)
In October 1861 Donald, Isabella and children left on the Star of Tasmania for Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand. There, their last child was born:
- Donald George (1864– 1946) Otago
By 1878 the family were living in Whangaroa, Northland where Donald worked as a millhand and later a carpenter. Isabella died 20 Jul 1898 at Totara North,
departed this life after a long and painful illness aged 77 years. Dunedin, Glasgow, and Caithness papers please copy. I come, I come unto Thee.
She was buried in the Totara North Cemetery.
Donald moved to Auckland and died nearly two years later, of senile decay, in Auckland Hospital on 5 Apr 1899 aged 74. He was buried in Waikumete Cemetery. His probate worth 1200 pounds left his money in the Post Office account, personal effects and furniture to his son Donald.
Isabella is the mother-in-law of #375 Mary Ann GOW.
Sources
Archway probate Donald
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10819, 30 July 1898, Page 1
TROVE Launceston Examiner Sat 19 Oct 1861
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA Assisted Passenger Lists 1839-1871
Libraries Tasmania
Electoral Rolls
Historical BDMs