Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Mary Paterson was born about 1852 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, daughter of Matthew and Mary Ann, nee Alexander. She married there in 1872 to James Todd, and they had their first son John (1873–1949) in Antrim, Ireland.
They moved to Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, where four more children were born.
- Matthew (1874–1945)
- James (1877–1967)
- George (1879–1946)
- Jane (1881–?)
James and Mary immigrated to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, where a daughter was born.
- Mary (1882–1966)
And the family came on to Auckland about 1884, and the last four children were born, including a baby that died at 8 days.
- William James (1884–1966)
- Rachael (1885–1971)
- Baby (1887–1887)
- Robert (1890–1961 )
The family lived at Tryphena, Great Barrier Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. There was a George Todd living there in 1890, in Mulberry Grove, and it seems likely that he and James Todd were related. James was variously described as a workman and farmer in the electoral rolls.
James died on 9 February 1900, aged 48 and was buried in the Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland. Mary continued to live at Tryphena for some years. Her son Robert served in the First World War, when he returned, he became a boat builder, married and lived in Mt Eden. Mary went to live with him. She died there 3 April 1942 aged 90 years, and was buried with her husband and infant daughter in Waikumete Cemetery.
Sources
Electoral Rolls
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 79, 4 April 1942, Page 1
Historical BDMs