Maker: Michelle Dons

Panel number: 235

Petition sheet number: 287

Person honouring: M. Franks

Relationship to maker: Unknown

It is possible this signatory is Mary Elizabeth Field, who married Albert Henry Frank on 30 January 1879 at St Mary’s Church, Nelson. Both parties were described as ‘of Nelson’.

The couple had three sons Albert Leonard (Bert) born in 1879 but who died in 1903 aged 24, Henry Lewis Stovell (1881), and Edward Dudley Lancelot (1882).

Mary’s signature may be the only surviving one from Nelson – most other names on sheet 287 were from Ashburton. The separate 1893 petition from Nelson was lost.

Mary was listed on the 1893 and 1896 electoral rolls, living in Brook St, and with her occupation described as domestic duties. Albert was a confectioner.

Albert died in 1904; in 1907 Mary married Jonathan Harle [Hurle], who was about 16 years older than her. 

Mary died on 4 March 1929 and was buried alongside her son Albert in Wakapuaka Cemetery in Nelson.

Panel materials: Reused fabrics including a doily. The ribbon and skirt fabric were new.