Mary Ann Neal

Signed family name

Neal

Signed given name

Mary Ann

Given address

Port Albert

Sheet number

Town/Suburb

Port Albert

City/Region

Auckland region

Notes

Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert

Mary Ann Wilkin was born in 1853 Ely, Cambridge, England, one of 11 children of Martin and Elizabeth, and a staunch Wesleyan Methodist family. Mary Ann met and married in 1866, Alfred Neal, the son of Henry and Ann, of Leeds, Yorkshire. Alfred had already been planning to join his brother in New Zealand, and one week after they married they sailed to New Zealand on the Winterthur. The Neals first home was a nikau whare on 40 bush-covered acres in Waitakere. There, Mary Ann gave birth to her first six children in seven-and-a-half years, never leaving the farm.

Henry Martin (1867–1883)
Alfred Wainhouse (1868–1940)
James (1869–1953)
Agnes Ellen (1870–1934)
Emily (1872–1954)
Annie Elizabeth (1873–1953)

In 1872 Alfred’s brother Henry William Neal died of tuberculosis in Napier, Hawkes Bay. He was unmarried and childless and left his estate divided into quarters, to a sister in Cornwall and three brothers living in NZ. Alfred’s two brothers renounced their share to him so he bought property at Port Albert and the family set off on the difficult journey north in 1873. Mary Ann rode side-saddle to Helensville carrying the five-week-old baby in her arms with bundles of clothes tied to the front and back of her saddle. Alfred led another horse with boxes tied on each side and two little heads peeping out of each box. Their furniture and household goods came on a bullock wagon. The oldest boy walked or rode on the wagon. A scow took them from Helensville to their new ‘Primrose Farm’ on the banks of the Oruawharo River.

And more children were born:

Robert Wilkin (1877–1937)
Edward (1878–1967)
Walter (1880–1955)
Edith Mary (1882–1948)
Bertha Alice (1883–1939)
Herbert (1889–1968)
Henry Martin (1892–1967)

In 1883 Mary Ann lost her eldest son. When he was about 14, Henry developed a polyps in his nose and doctors in Auckland advised his parents to send him to London for an operation. He travelled to London, with a governess known to the Wilkin family. The operation was in vain and he died at Kings College Hospital, Strand, London and is buried at Downham, Cambridgeshire, with Mary Ann’s family.

The farm prospered, selling butter, eggs and mutton to the local mill workers and when scows came for timber their captains were glad of fresh produce. Mary Ann kept 50-60 chooks, even in her later years. Alfred and Mary Ann were staunch Christians and helped start the Methodist Church in Port Albert. A Minister rode from Warkworth once a month and local preachers, including Alfred, took turns the rest of the time. Mary Ann and Alfred celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1916, 'they have established homestead a fruit and general farm that they may justly be proud of.'

Alfred died first on 15 Mar 1919 aged 75, at Port Albert and was buried in the Port Albert Cemetery. His probate left all real and personal property worth 3000 pounds to his dear wife. Mary Ann lived on at her residence in Port Albert and died suddenly in 1922 in her 77th year. She was also buried in the Port Albert Cemetery. Their headstone reads 'They rest from their labours and their works do follow them'. Her will left over 4000 pounds to be shared amongst their children.

Mary Ann is the mother of 379 Agnes Ellen PHILLIPS