Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Mary Cole was born about 1855 in Glenfield, Southampton, Hampshire, England to Keziah Cole, according to her marriage certificate. When she was 27 she married farmer, George Robert Farmer 1882 at a residence in Mahurangi. He said he was 39, single, the son of Robert Farmer and Margaret Denham.
They had five children born in Mahurangi:
- Emily Farmer (1881–?) before they married, and then
- Mary May Farmer (1884–1928)
- James George Farmer (1885–1941)
- Henry William Farmer (1885–1955)
- George Farmer (1886–1950)
The Ferglen sailed from London and arrived in Auckland in October 1879. On board were George Farmer and Mary Farmer. It is likely that this is Mary Cole, and they were acting as a married couple.
A notice appeared in NZ newspapers in 1885 asking for information about, 'George Farmer alias George Robert Green, who arrived in Auckland about the year 1875, and was last heard of in July, 1882. It is believed that Mr. Farmer (or Green) occupied the position of bailiff on a farm 20 miles from Auckland. A liberal reward will be given for such information as may lead to the discovery of the whereabouts of Farmer (or Green) if alive, or proof if dead.'
It seems that George Robert Green was born 1838 in East Meon, Hampshire to Robert Green and Maria Margaret Dedman. In 1862 farmer, George Robert Green married Mary Ann Vokes in Petersfield, Hampshire. Between then and 1876 they had three girls and three boys. In 1879 he was judged bankrupt, in his absence, with the bankruptcy petition being brought by his father-in-law Henry Vokes.
George Robert Farmer died in Mahurangi in February 1888, aged 45. No newspaper notice or will was found in NZ. However, UK administration of George Robert Green’s estate of 139 pounds was given to his widow Mary Ann of East Meon, to the value of 139 pounds. George is described as dying 8 February 1888 in Warkworth, Mahurangi.
Mary Farmer was left alone in Mahurangi with five children under eight years. She met John Wilson and had three more children:
- William Wilson (1889–1918) William was KIA in Belgium, son of John and Mary Wilson.
- Charlie Farmer (1892–?) no father recorded on the birth index
- Sarah Ann Farmer (1901–?)
Mary was living in Otahuhu, Auckland from at least 1916, when son William enlisted, and died there in 1924. There is no newspaper death notice or probate under any of the surnames she used in her life.
Sources
National Probate Calendar (1858-1885)
London Gazette September 1879
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7392, 29 July 1885, Page 1
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5593, 20 October 1879, Page 4
Marriage certificate 17 May 1882 George FARMER = Mary COLE (sighted)
Hisorical BDM