Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Jane Jolly was born on 30 November 1856 in Brechin, Angus, Scotland – the daughter of John Jolly and Mary Forsyth Smith.
Jane and her family emigrated to Otago in about 1863. In 1885 Jane sued John Officer, a teacher, for breach of promise of marriage. Jane had known John since 1880 when he boarded at her mother’s house while he studied to be a teacher. They became engaged later that year, the next year John moved to his father’s house in Southland and they exchanged letters. Jane went to visit in 1883 and John gave her a ring. He later became ill and did not hear from Jane.
John married Elizabeth Marshall in 1885 which prompted the case. Jane was awarded £75 damages.
Jane did not marry and worked as a dressmaker, living with her mother in Stafford St then later Russell St, Dunedin.
She died on 16 September 1910 and is buried in the family grave in the Southern Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz