Maker: Frances Stevens

Panel number: 141

Petition Sheet Number: 164

Person honouring: Mrs Geo. Worsdell (Fanny) and Charlotte Worsdell (Lottie), 512 Mrs A. Stevens (Frances Alice Stevens nee Worsdell) and Kate Alberta Worsdell

Relationship to makers: Fanny Worsdell is my Great-great-great-grandmother and Frances Alice Stevens is my Great-great-grandmother on my paternal side. Kate and Charlotte are my Great-great-grand Aunts.164 - Fanny Worsdell & Charlotte Worsdell, 512 - Frances Stevens and Kate Worsdell

Fanny Worsdell (nee Simkins), born on 16 March 1831 in Andover, Hampshire, England. She married George Worsdell in 1852 and they had ten children. In January 1875, Fanny arrived in Otago with their children; Agnes, Bess, Anne, Katie, Fanny, Edward and Lottie aboard the Wild Deer. They joined George who was a ‘Fellmonger and Dealer’. 

Fanny died at her North East Valley home on 8 March 1898. Her Trust Estate, of several houses and property, was later auctioned. George died at Oamaru in 1905.

Fanny signed sheet 164 above her youngest daughter Charlotte (Lottie). Lottie, born on 11 October 1870 attended school in Dunedin and Oamaru. She joined the Salvation Army and in 1915 married Joseph McFadden, a Blenheim widower with four children. Joseph died in 1946 and Lottie died on 24 November 1960. 

Two other daughters signed sheet 512. Frances Alice (Fanny) Worsdell was born on 26 March 1865. In 1886, she married Arthur Ernest Stevens and they had two children, Arthur and Rena. They served in the Salvation Army around New Zealand. Arthur died in 1937 and Fanny moved to Nelson where she died on 12 April 1958. 

In 1951 Fanny was awarded a Plunket Society Certificate of Merit, for Outstanding Voluntary Service. 

Kate Alberta (Katie) Worsdell, a dressmaker and music teacher, was born on 28 April, schooled in Dunedin and never married. Katie lived in various towns and signed the Petition while staying with her sister Fanny in Marton. Katie died in the Wairau Hospital, Blenheim on 28 May 1947.

Panel materials: Old sheet from my parents’ place which I dyed. The dye I used was derived from harakeke seed pods that came from the harakeke plants in my garden. I also used embroidery thread, a fabric marker and photo transfer paper. I had these things already as I am a craftsperson and use these items in my work.