Originally transcribed as Mary J Abbott
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Jane Duffell was born in Lyttelton in 1851 – the daughter of William Duffell, a road contractor & farmer, and Jane Burrell.
She was reported to be “the first white female child” born in Lyttelton.
Mary married farmer Jabez Allott in 1872 and they had 16 children, one who died in early childhood.
The family lived in the Timaru district for 10 years then moved to Te Tipua, near Mataura.
They later went to live at Charlton, near Gore, where Mary signed the suffrage petition.
In around 1900 they retired to Gore.
They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1922 “when friends and members of the family assembled in large numbers to congratulate them, and present them with numerous tokes of esteem and affection”.
Mary died at her home on 7 February 1928 and Jabez died in 1934 – they are buried together in the Gore Cemetery.
Mary’s obituary said she “was a devoted member of the Methodist Church and was a "constant and liberal supporter of all its activities”.
Sources:
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/