Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Jane Dawson was born in 1862 in Northumberland, England – the daughter of Phillip Dawson, a coal miner, and Dorothy Charlton.
Mary married coal miner, James Scott in 1885 and they emigrated to New Zealand.
When she signed the suffrage petition they were living in Dobson.
Mary died on 5 January 1896 – her obituary said she 'was much respected by the members of the Wesleyan Church, of which she was a prominent member, and indeed, by all with whom she came in contact.'
James died shortly after on 26 March when the Brunner coal mine exploded killing 65 men.
They are buried together in the Stillwater Cemetery.
Sources
Free BDM https://www.freebmd.org.uk
GRO England https://www.gro.gov.uk
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/