Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs Lowrie was born Annie Crawford on 18 May 1840, Stirling, Scotland to Robert Crawford and his wife Ann Fletcher.
On 7 June 1862 Annie married James Lowrie in Auckland. Annie and James had eight children.
In February 1872 Captain James Lowrie was appointed Harbourmaster for the Port of Kaipara, vice G P Chapman. Captain Lowrie was formerly Pilot in Manukau Harbour. In February 1880 Captain James Lowrie, Harbourmaster and Pilot at Kaipara was dismissed from the Public Service after an enquiry into his conduct.
On 15 June 1887 James Lowrie was charged with unlawfully wounding with intent to kill and murder, one Annie Lowrie on 7 April 1887, 'prisoner pleaded not guilty'. At the time Annie was running a boarding house in Aratapu, a saw milling town. James went to Sydney c 1883 and had returned about 1 March 1887.
Annie Lowrie signed the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition in Aratapu.
On 8 May 1897 James Lowrie was charged that 'on 8 May 1897 at Mt Roskill unlawfully assaulted with intent to murder Annie Lowrie, Wm Lowrie and Henry Lowrie by discharging a loaded revolver at them'. On 7 June 1897 James Lowrie was found guilty on a charge of firing a revolver at his son 'Frank Lowrie'. He had previously served two years for an assault on his wife – he was sentenced to four years hard labour at the Mt Eden Gaol.
The Return of Prisoners for the fortnight ended 23 June 1900 reports that James Lowrie was discharged from the New Plymouth Gaol.
The electoral roll for 1905–06 records that Annie was living in Albion street, Parnell. In 1914 she was still living in Parnell but had moved to Glasgow Terrace. By 1925 she was living at 9 Boyle Crescent, Grafton, Auckland.
James Lowrie died on 27 June 1908 at the Jubilee Home, Aramaho, Whanganui and is buried in the Heads Road cemetery, Whanganui.
Annie Lowrie died on 5 October 1932 age 93 years at her residence, 9 Boyle Crescent, Grafton, Auckland. She is buried in the Waikaraka cemetery, Block S, Lot 38B. Her death notice states 'sister of Margaret Bullians, Tauraroa'.
Sources
Auckland Star, 14 February 1880, pg 2
Auckland Star, 15 June 1887, pg 5
Auckland Star, 7 June 1897, pg 2
Auckland Star, 15 June 1897, pg 5
New Zealand Gazette, 14 July 1900, pg 151 – Return of Prisoners
Wanganui Herald, 29 June 1908, pg 4
New Zealand Herald, 7 October 1932, pg 1 – Deaths
Auckland Star, 15 October 1932, pg 1 – Deaths
The Collections Archives NZ Will/Probate Annie Lowrie R9385089