Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Isabella McKenzie was born in 1860 in Waipu, one of seven children to William and Annabella McKenzie. The couple were married in Nova Scotia, Canada. They came to Auckland in the Gazelle, arriving on 18 September 1853, from Nova Scotia via Adelaide, Australia. They were part of a large group of Scottish settlers from Nova Scotia who settled in Waipu, north of Auckland.
Isabella lived with her parents. On electoral rolls she was described as a dressmaker. Her father died in 1900, and at the age of 47, Isabella married in 1907 at Waipu to John Nicholson. They would have known each other as her sister Annabella was married to his brother, James Nicholson in 1883. James and John were sons of Angus and Mary nee McInnes. The Nicholsons were also part of the Nova Scotian settlers who came to Waipu on the Gertrude in 1856.
'The marriage of Miss Bella McKenzie, daughter of Mrs William McKenzie, Waipu and Mr John Nicholson, of Okaihau, was solemnized at the residence of the bride's mother. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Donald McKenzie, and wore a pretty light grey costume, trimmed with brown velvet and gilt buttons, and smart white felt hat, trimmed with brown velvet and white ostrich plumes, and she carried a handsome fur muff. Miss Flora Nicholson, from Waihi, acted as bridesmaid, and wore a very pretty dress of creme silk voile, and becoming creme hat. Mr Norman McLennan acted as best man. Amongst the many wedding gifts was a handsome silver-mounted sugar and cream, on stand, presented by the teachers and scholars of the Sunday school, as an evidence of their love and esteem.'
There were no children of the marriage and John and Isabella continued to farm in Okaihau. John died 19 October 1926 aged 73 at Okaihau, Northland and was buried in St Catherine's Churchyard. The meeting of the Bay of Islands Presbyterian Church expressed regret at the passing of one of the respected elders.
Isabella died 12 March 1931 aged 70 at Waipu, and was buried at St Catherine's Churchyard with her husband. She made a will leaving 50 pounds each to Doline Finlayson, Isabella Powell, Jessie Crawford, and the residue of her property valued at 2500 pounds, to Margaret Whean Green, of Waipu.
Sources
Archway probate Isabella
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19468, 26 October 1926, Page 1
PAPERS PAST Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 44, 20 July 1907, Page 8
NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com)