Biographical information provided by Lenie Nilsen for the He Tohu exhibition:
Mary Japp (nee Woulfe) left London aboard the Rangitiki on 20 November 1875 and landed in Lyttelton 16 February 1876. She was accompanied by her father John Woulfe, mother Johanna, and brother Patrick Woulfe.
Mary married James Japp in Dunedin in 1879. Mary and James had three children James Alexander, (1886-1935), Ann Catherine (1882-1901) and Christina (1883– ). James, a railway man died 20 November 1902.
A newspaper article cites Mary as objecting to the valuation of her home in Anderson Bay. This indicates the tenacity of the lady.
Mary died on 18 September 1903 at her home. James Alexander married Wilhelmina (Minnie) Gillies on 27 March 1907 at First Church, South Dunedin. James fought in in the First World War and died in 1935, 49 years. Wilhelmina died in 1950, 70 years.
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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