Maker: Chris (aka Knobbly Knitter)

Panel number: 93

Petition Sheet Number: 97

Person honouring: Mary McAdam

Relationship to makers: None

Mary McAdam was the mother of a very large family of Scottish origin. Born in 1836 in Glasgow, she was the daughter of James and Mary Couper. James was a glass manufacturer, a member of the Chartist movement and a Glasgow Baillie.

On 4 January 1853, Mary married a man more than twice her age, William McAdam (1815 -1881) who was also a pottery manufacturer, Chartist and Baillie. They had thirteen children, all born in Glasgow. Mary Couper (1853-1855), William (1855-1900), Helen Baxter (1857-1859), Florence (1858-1929), Alice Hope (1860-1888), Gordon (1862-1939), Robert Couper (1864-1924), Douglas (1866-1934), Evelyn Maud (1867-1926), Kenneth (1870-1913), Constance Jane (1872-1951), Cora Hilda (1875-1904), and Charles Campbell (1878-1957).

The family migrated to Port Chalmers on the Wanganui in November 1879. William died eighteen months later. Mrs Mary McAdam signed the Petition giving her address as York Place, Central Dunedin. She remained there caring for her children and grandchildren until her death on 16 March 1915.

Panel materials: Linen, felt, embroidery threads, lace and tartan wool cloth.