Biography contributed by Joyce Hislop
Mary the second daughter of Jane and John Scaife, a farm labourer, was born on 14 June 1864 in Yorkshire, England.
In December 1871 at the age of 7 Mary arrived in Lyttelton on the Zealandia with her parents and seven siblings.
Her father died on 4 March 1872 so life would not have been easy for Jane and her children.
Mary married Thomas Rapley on 18 June 1885 in Christchurch. Their children were John Scaife (1886-1969), William Leonard (1888-1976), Thomas Harold (1891-1969), Ethel Daisy (1892-1956), Ida Annie (1894-1926), Lewis Owen (1897-1897), Victoria May (1901-1989), Nellie Kezia (1903-1952) and Oswell Henry (1908-1987).
The family had moved to Woodville before Ethel was born and then moved on to Hastings by 1901 when Nellie was born. While the family were in Woodville both Lewis and Mary’s mother Jane died and both are buried in the Old Woodville Cemetery.
The Electoral Rolls give Thomas’ occupation as labourer in Woodville, then firstly butcher then orchardist in Hastings.
Thomas died in 1929 age 66 years and Mary died on 1 February 1935 age 70 years. They are both buried at Havelock North.
Sources
BDM records
Shipping records
Electoral Rolls
Papers Past
Family records
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
Community contributions