Biographical information provided by Jenni Chrisstoffels, Alexander Turnbull Library, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Mary Louisa Eady (nee Roberts) was born in Camberwell, England in 1830. She worked as a teacher before marrying William Eady, a butcher, in 1851. Mary and William, with their sons William Thomas Roberts, Arthur, and Lewis Roberts, came to New Zealand in 1865 on the ‘Andrew Jackson’. Mary kept a diary on board the ship, and writes of the inedible food and deteriorating conditions during the voyage. In New Zealand they settled in Auckland and were active members of the Beresford Street Congregational Church. Her love of music was instilled in her sons who ran two rival music stores in Auckland, with Lewis Eady Ltd still going today. She died in 1898 and is buried in Purewa Cemetery with her family.
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Image reference: Auckland Star, 23 November 1965, p. 17