Rachel Wright

Biography contributed by William Wright

Rachel Gibb was born in Carnbroe, Lanarkshire, Scotland about 1848.

She was a milliner and dress maker and in 1870 she married John Wright, a miner. The couple lived in the coal and ironstone mining hill villages near Dalmellington in Ayrshire, Scotland. 

In 1870 their son Robert was born and daughter Jessie was born in 1873. Sadly Jessie died as a young infant and another daughter also named Jessie was born in 1875.

In August 1876 the family sailed from Glasgow to Dunedin on the sailing ship Dunedin, a voyage which took them 83 days. Unfortunately Jessie died of meningitis during the long journey.

In 1878 the family settled in South Oamaru area where husband John was employed on the railways. They then had five more children

• Christina Rachel (1879)
• Esther (1882)
• Mary Brydone (1883)
• Margaret Finlay (1887)
• John (1892).

Initially they lived in Waiareka, then Toka-rahi & Totara (south of Oamaru). In 1899 Rachel was employed by the Post Office as postmistress and telephonist at nearby Toka-rahi.

At a presentation at Totara in April 1908 to farewell the Wright family the Oamaru Mail reported the following words spoken by Mr John Macpherson (Manager of Totara Estate):

'Speaking of Mrs Wright, words failed him to convey all he should say of the many good qualities of that lady.  Were it a time of sickness or trouble, she was ever ready day or night to do what she could for any one in the district, and all were sure of a cheery welcome at her house.  Her connection with the post office and telephone bureau at Totara entailed a good deal of worry, but the speaker had to compliment her for the way she had conducted her duties.'

In September 1908 Rachel sold their 6-bedroom house at South Oamaru and in October 1908 she and John retired to Christchurch. 

Rachel died in Christchurch on 29 May 1933.

Sources

New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973

Otago Daily Times

• 20 Nov 1876 “Arrival of the Dunedin”
• 21 Nov 1876 “The Ship Dunedin”
• 22 Nov 1876 “The Ship Dunedin”

NZ Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages

Oamaru Mail

• 21 April 1908 “Presentation at Totara”

Image