Maker: Susan McDonald

Panel number: 153

Petition Sheet Number: 185

Person honouring: Anna Chisnall

Relationship to makers: None

Anna was born in Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk, England and baptised 28th March 1845. She was the youngest child of Ephraim Henry Chisnall and Rachel Taylor. Two of her brothers emigrated to New Zealand ahead of her, and she arrived in Lyttelton in September 1863 on the Captain Cook with her cousins Eliza and Martha Bluett. 

In June 1864 Anna married her cousin George Taylor Chisnall (son of Thomas Chisnall and Sarah Taylor) and they set up house in Lincoln Road. Both of these men, and her father, were boot makers, and Thomas and George established the business that became Cookham House in Colombo Street, Christchurch. 

Anna had five daughters and four sons, although some died young. Her daughter Katherine also signed the petition. As well as bringing up her large family she worked as a Methodist minister.

Anna died 29th July 1926, leaving £100 to each of her grandchildren with the bulk of her estate going to her two unmarried daughters. She was buried in Barbadoes Street cemetery.

Panel materials: An old pillowcase, materials from dresses, lace, felt and embroidery thread. I tried to recycle everything except the embroidery thread.