Biographical information provided by Briar Barry for the He Tohu exhibition:
This is likely to be the signature of Elizabeth Penney, the wife of Methodist minister Reverend Charles Penney. Elizabeth died in September 1896, aged 45.
Because of her husband’s job the family moved around the country, living in many different areas. Elizabeth signed the Petition while living in Woodville, Manawatu, but when she died three years later at the age of 45, the family were in North Canterbury.
Elizabeth’s early death might have been influenced by the tragedy the family suffered in 1892. Her eldest son drowned while crossing a river on a farm where he was apprenticed to the farmer.
Additional information supplied by the Methodist Church of New Zealand archives team:
Elizabeth Penney nee Kerby (1851-1896). Wife of United Methodist Free minister Rev Charles Penney (1851-1917) who was stationed at Waipawa and Woodville United Methodist Free circuit.
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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