Biographical information provided by Corina Gordon for the He Tohu exhibition:
Born in 1849 in Cornwall, Jane came across to New Zealand with her husband John and 2 daughters in 1879, on the Rangitikei. The daughters’ names were Elizabeth Jane and Mary E. They arrived in Lyttelton and moved to Sheffield and her husband worked as a labourer on various projects. After living in Sheffield for 20 years they moved to Lyttelton.
From articles in the Press she seems to have been involved in baking and other home fares which were judged in local competitions, coming first with a Cornish pasty (perhaps a nod to her original home).
She was survived by 2 daughters, 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was buried at Kimberley cemetery and the funeral seemed to have been very well attended, judging by the number of wreaths sent and the number of pall bearers.
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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