Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Patton was born about 1830 in Ireland.
She and her husband James had, at least, five children before they emigrated to New Zealand about 1875. Their last child was born the following year.
The family settled in North Otago and when Mary signed the suffrage petition at Enfield they were living in, nearby, Whitstone.
Mary died at her home on 11 July 1896. Her obituary said 'she was widely known, and her kindly disposition and friendly counsel endeared her to the hearts of many.'
James died in 1903 – they are buried together in the Old Oamaru Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Waitaki District Council https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/our-services