Maker: Ann Maynard

Panel number: 308

Petition sheet number: 365

Person honouring: Margaret Jane Robertson

Relationship to maker: None

Margaret Jane Thompson was born in July 1856 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and emigrated to New Zealand around 1873.

In 1876, Margaret married William Robertson, who she likely met on the ship; they had nine children.

The family lived in Huntly for 10 years from 1877, where William was station- and postmaster, then relocated to Auckland. Despite the modest circumstances in which they lived, Margaret and William instilled values of proper etiquette, dress, home decoration and decorum, that continued to be evident in the clothing and houses of her children.

The main focus of Margaret’s life was her home and family. Throughout her life she kept with her a photograph of her mother with a verse from the Bible written on the back “Praise the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55, v 6).

Margaret died at age 43 in 1899 of septicaemia peritonitis, leaving three children under nine. She was buried in Purewa cemetery, Auckland.

Panel materials: A cotton pillowcase, scraps from my sewing supplies, calico, and stranded cotton.