Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Elizabeth Butler was born about 1837 in England – the daughter of Edward Butler.
She was living in Poona, Bombay, India when, on 10 August 1848, she married Edward Pedder, a Sergeant in the Army.
Edward died in February 1853 in Rawal Pindee, Bengal and Elizabeth re-married in July the same year to James Cronin, a sergeant.
James died 18 months later in Ferozepore and three months later Elizabeth again re-married, in Ferozepore, to Michael Stevens, a colour sergeant in the 70th Surrey regiment of foot.
Michael’s regiment sailed for Auckland in 1861 to assist with the New Zealand Wars.
Elizabeth and her daughter Emma (See 68 Emma M Stevens) followed Michael, arriving in 1863.
When Michael was discharged from the regiment the family moved to Dunedin where he worked for the local militia as a drill instructor.
Michael died in 1887 and when Elizabeth signed the suffrage petition she was living with her daughter in York Place.
Elizabeth died at her home on 12 August 1924, she is buried with Michael and Emma in the Southern Cemetery.
Sources
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
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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