Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs Mary Bryson was born Mary Lydia White on 8 September 1861 at Le Bons Bay, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury to William Henry White and Margaret White nee Clancy.
Mary married Robert Samuel Bryson in 1879.
Mary and Robert had eleven children; Margaret Elizabeth Bryson born 1880, William David Bryson born 1881, Robert Bryson born 1883, Agnes Evelyne Bryson born 1885, John George (Jock) Bryson born 1887, James Richard Bryson born 1889, Henry Albert Bryson born 1890, Herbert Bryson born 1892, Myrtle Mary Bryson born 1895, Allan Bertram Bryson born 1899 and Hazel Winnifred Bryson born 1904.
The NZ Electoral Rolls for 1896, 1905-06 record Robert and Mary living in Waimate. The 1911 Electoral Roll records Mary living at Point Bush, Waimate.
After Robert’s death in 1912 Mary is recorded in 1914 and 1919 as living in High Street, Waimate.
Mary Bryson died on 13 November 1934 age 73 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Presbyterian Section, Plot 000425. Also in the same plot is Robert Bryson who died in 1898 age 16 years.
Robert Bryson died on 5 May 1912 age 65 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Presbyterian Section, Plot 000424. Also buried in the same plot is John George Bryson who died in 1956 age 69 years.
Sources
Ancestry Public Member Family Tree
NZ DIA Birth Index – 1861/407 Mary Lydia White
NZ DIA Marriage Index – 1879/1422 Mary Lydia White/Robert Samuel Bryson
Ancestry New Zealand Electoral Rolls
NZ DIA Death Index – 1912/5197 Robert Samuel Bryson
NZ DIA Death Index – 1934/10585 Mary Lydia Bryson
Waimate District Council Cemeteries Database online
FamilySearch - NZ Archives Probate Records 1843-1998 Timaru Court TU304/1912 pg 76-84 – Robert Samuel Bryson