Biographical information provided by Lynly Yates for the He Tohu exhibition:
Annie Amelia Hoar was born in 1870 at Catherington, Hampshire in England to Annie Zeruiah (nee Hammond) and Zephaniah Mary Hoar. In 1871 Annie, her parents along with her brothers Alfred and Albert were residing in Rochurch cottage, Catherington. Annie and her family departed England and settled in Masterton New Zealand. Annie Amelia Hoar signed the 1893 Suffrage Petition with her mother Annie and sister-in-law Mary Hoar. In 1893 Annie Amelia Hoar married Thomas Hawke. They had six children: Alvia Doris born 1896, Leonard Malcolm born 1899, Hilda Marie born 1902, Douglas Edward Stewart Hoare born 1904, Edna Ranee born 1911 & Verna Leone born 1916, all born in New Zealand. Annie’s husband was a cabinetmaker and they resided in Pahiatua and later Gisborne. After Thomas died on 19 June 1924 his widow Annie married William Aplin in 1933. In 1938, in Auckland, Annie Aplin formerly Hawke nee Hoar died and was buried at Waikumete cemetery in Auckland.
