Maker: Sarah Barnard

Panel number: 391

Petition sheet number: 478

Person honouring: Clara Ekins

Relationship to maker: Great-great-grandmother

Clara Harper was born in Cambridge, England in 1839. She was one of eight children.

When she was 32 she married Thomas Ekins (a widower with children). They were married at Eden Chapel, Burleigh, Cambridge in 1871. In 1877 Clara and Thomas had a baby they named Harry. Thomas died in 1878.

When Harry was five, Clara came to Whanganui to keep house for her brother (a widower with two girls). Clara was very involved with the Whanganui Baptist church. While living in St. Johns Hill, Whanganui, she signed the petition.

When Harry was older he wanted to train as a gunsmith so Clara and Harry moved to Wellington. Harry was an apprentice at Tisdalls Sports shop, which was then located at 100 Lambton Quay.

In 1903, Clara died at the age of 63 and was buried at Karori cemetery. She had been living in Victoria Street, Wellington. Clara was described as a fine woman and Harry as a devoted son.

Panel materials: Fabric chosen from the Vinnies Re Sew supplies at the Wellington Museum. Photo fabric, spray-on fabric adhesive, and iron-on Visoflex from craft store.