Maria Jane Dixon

Mother of Blanche Burgess.

Biography contributed by Robyn Burgess, great great granddaughter of Maria

Maria Jane Dixon (nee Brightwell) was born at the Hutt, Wellington on 26 September 1847. Her parents were early Hutt District settlers, Mary Ann Knight and Thomas Brightwell, who married in Wellington in September 1843.

Mary and Thomas Brightwell had eight children – Edwin (born 1844), William (born 1846), Maria (born 1847), Lucy (born 1849), Thomas (born 1850), Sarah (born 1851), Henry (born 1853) and James (born 1856). On 25 June 1864 Maria married English-born Sam Dixon (born 1840) in Masterton, Wairapara.  She was 16 years old and he was 24.  

Maria learned millinery and dressmaking and at times continued this occupation during her marriage to supplement the family income.  The couple had eight children – Edith (born 1865), Cecilia (born 1866), Horace (born 1868), Blanche (born 1870), Bertha (born 1872), Clarice (born 1877), Frances (born 1882) and Claude (born 1888).  

After a period living in the Hutt and Wellington, in 1876 the family moved to Patea and subsequently to Hawera in 1880.  Maria was very active within the Hawera community and was especially known for her involvement with the Hawera Choral Society and Methodist choir, where she was soprano for nearly 20 years. 

Maria and Sam celebrated their golden (50th) wedding anniversary in June 1914.  They died within a short time of each other - Maria at age 69 on 4 May 1917, and Sam at age 77 on 6 July 1917.