Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Elizabeth Rae was born on 4 July 1856 in Hawick, Roxburgshire, Scotland, the daughter of Walter Rae, a millman in a wool factory, and Ann Samuel. The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1871, her father being one of 19 men brought to New Zealand to 'introduce the manufacture of Scotch Tweeds into the Colony.'
Elizabeth married Thomas Spence in 1874 and they had at least 11 children. In 1893 Elizabeth and Thomas were living in Helena St, South Dunedin shortly after they moved to Cutten St where they remained. Elizabeth died on 25 January 1922 and Thomas in 1923. They are buried together in the Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.
Sources
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Scotlands People https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk