Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs J Stallworthy was born Hannah Jane (known as Annie) Keat on 24 December 1849, St Minver, Cornwall, England to Edward Keat and his wife Mary Wills. She was baptised on 24 March 1850 in St Minver.
The Keat family arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on 3 September 1872 on the ship City of Auckland.
On 29 January 1873 Annie Keat married John Stallworthy in the Methodist Church, Whangaroa, Northland. John’s father, George Stallworthy was a member of the London Missionary Society. John was employed at a sawmill at this time. They were the first pakeha couple to be married in the small town. In 1874 they moved to Auckland.
In 1880 John was appointed Schoolmaster, Aratapu and the family moved to the Northern Wairoa. In 1890 John resigned his position and purchased the ‘Kopuru Bell’ newspaper and changed its name to the ‘Wairoa Bell’. John later purchased the Northern Advertiser and combined them to become the ‘Wairoa Bell and Northern Advertiser’. John was also Postmaster at Aratapu.
For many years, John was a Preacher for the Methodist church, and was prominent with temperance organisations. He was also a Liberal Member of Parliament for Kaipara from 1905 to 1911. Shortly after leaving Parliament, he became blind.
On 29 January 1923 Annie and John celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.
John died on 10 November 1923, age 69 years and is buried in the Old Mt Wesley cemetery, Dargaville, Block 2, Lot 5
Annie died on 7 February 1940 age 90 years in Aratapu and is buried in the Old Mt Wesley cemetery with her husband.
Her Obituary stated 'Mrs Stallworthy had an enviable reputation for her warm hospitality and care for the sick in the Northern Wairoa district during the pioneering days'.
One of her sons, Arthur John Stallworthy of Epsom, was a former MP for Eden and Minister of Health.
Sources
Cornwall OPC – Baptisms
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1873/5434 Annie Keats/John Stallworthy
NZ DIA Death Index 1923/10436 John Stallworthy
New Zealand Herald 12 November 1923, page 8 – Obituary
Auckland Star 12 November 1923, page 8
Ancestry Public Family Trees and New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Northern Advocate 8 February 1940, page 9 – Death of Northland Pioneer
Gisborne Herald 10 December 1940, pg 11 - Obituary