Originally transcribed as Mary Whitby
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Hickey was born about 1850 in Ireland.
She emigrated to New Zealand where she married Richard Whitty, a labourer, in 1877.
They had 10 children, two who died in infancy.
In 1884 Richard met with a serious accident when he slipped while leaving a moving train and both legs were crushed leaving him paralysed.
In 1887 a 'Grand Concert' was held in South Dunedin to raise money for the family which achieved £97 2s 6d.
When Mary signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Thomas St, South Dunedin.
In 1897 Richard petitioned for compensation for his accident – the result is unknown.
Mary died on 22 February 1915 and Richard died in 1929 – they are buried in the family grave in the Southern Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz