Biography contributed by Clare Cramond
Mary Ann, nee Ford was born in 1859 in Pembroke Wales. She worked as a schoolmistress officer at the Aylesford Union workhouse in Kent. In 1882 Mary married scholar and theologian Edward Claude Budd at Medway Kent. In 1892, the family migrated to New Zealand on the Tainui arriving in Wellington from London after a 90-day voyage. Edward’s occupation was given as 'agent' and they were accompanied by their four young children, Edward Claude, Arnold Ford, Winifred Mary, and Marjorie Elizabeth.
Mary signed the Petition in 1893 in Frasertown. Edward appeared on the 1893 Electoral roll as a settler in Frasertown and in 1894 their son Arthur Everard was born there. That same year they shifted to Auckland and by 1895 the family were living in Waiuku where Edward was the Vicar. Their son Frank Maurice was born in 1898 and a year later Harry Leslie was born but he died at just three weeks old. Rev Edward Claude Budd was appointed the first Chaplain to Public Institutions in Auckland, a position where he was held in high esteem until he retired in 1927, just a couple of years before his death.
In 1902, three of the children were mentioned as prizewinners at Grey Lynn College. However, two years later Freda (Winifred) died aged just fourteen. Then in 1910, eldest son Edward Claude tragically drowned. A 1921 New Zealand Herald report noted that Rev Budd was 'ordered to rest by Medical Advisers and leaves for a three month cruise among the South Sea Islands.' Maybe Mary was able to travel with him. The Great War brought more sadness. Their son, Arthur Everard, born just after Mary signed the Petition. died of wounds at the Somme.
Mary continued to live in Newmarket until she died in August 1937, aged 78 years. She was buried at Waikumete Cemetery.
Sources
New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DR3Q-767?cc=1609792&wc=MP7N-L2T%3A119260801%2C119032302%2C119034803: 8 July 2019), Wellington (other ports also listed) > 1892 > Tainui > image 30 of 35; Archives New Zealand, Wellington.
Births Deaths and Marriages Online https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19120716.2.72 New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15046, 16 July 1912, Page 8
New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T2-CS64-P?cc=1865481&wc=4BVZ-DSF%3A1045248401%2C1579155269 : 21 February 2019), Wellington Court > Probate records 1937 P61260/37-P61328/37 > image 704 of 795; Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office.
Anglican History http://anglicanhistory.org/nz/blain_directory/directory.pdf