Makers: Whanau o George, Hakaraia, Dixon, Dixon-TeTure

Panel number: 65

Petition Sheet Number: 59

Person honouring: William Wheeler

Relationship to makers: Great-grand-uncle of family

William Wheeler and his wife Mary Ann (Annie) lived in Athol Street at the time of signing. The signature on the petition resembles William’s signature used on birth certificates but other members of the family suspect that Annie may have signed the page with her husband?s signature. Nevertheless, I am recording William for this panel. 

WILLIAM WHEELER was born and registered William White, in the Cascades Female Factory at Hobart in Tasmania. He was son of Jessie White convict, and probably Robert Paul, convict on 12 February 1852. In 1855 Jessie White married William Wheeler an Englishman, young William was adopted into the family. They came to Dunedin when William was 10 and a couple of years later he was sentenced to 7 days gaol for stealing eggs. William worked as a labourer in Dunedin. William Wheeler and Mary Ann Marion O'Brien (Annie) were married at the home of William’s parents Great King St, Dunedin on 31st December 1894. They had 12 children and also brought up grandchild Eileen, after their daughter died in childbirth.William was a member of the Dunedin Central Horse & Cart Fire Brigade from 1st July 1900 to the 30 June 1916. Annie died on 30 Sept 1922 aged 64. William died on 26 Oct 1924 aged 71. They are both buried in the Northern Cemetery Dunedin. 

The Wheeler family has a large number of descendants and so as our family gathered to sew parts of this panel, it was important to remember that it is the ordinary everyday tasks that can make a contribution to society. We looked at the talents that are collectively exhibited and the activities involved in by this branch of the Wheeler descendants and some of these are recorded on the panel. Descendants who are represented by contributing to this panel are Ken George, Kerren Dixon, Stephen C Heemi Dixon, Izaiah Lee TeTure-Dixon, Ataahua TeTure-Dixon, Katherine E E Perehira Dixon, Maxine Hakaraia, Te Uhi James R Hakaraia, Jayden Ngarongo Hakaraia, Gabriel Emke Hakaraia, Kataraina A Pare Ana Hakaraia, Jamie Hakaraia and Merrilyn George. The rainbow represents our Logan Wairoa Dixon (d 2010)

Panel materials: Recycled sheets, leather off-cuts.