Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs J S Butcher was born Anne Blackwell in 1863 in Filkins, Oxfordshire, England to George Blackwell and Mary Ann Banting (Bantin).
In 1887 Anne (aka Annie) married John Samuel Butcher in Waimate, South Canterbury, New Zealand.
Annie and John had eight children: George James born 1888, Charles Edward born 1890, Ruth Olive born 1894, Myrtle May born 1896, Irene Gladys born 1898, Cecil Blackwell born 1900, Hazel Annie born 1901 and Horace Wesley born 1904.
By 1919 John had moved to Wellington. In the 1919 electoral roll for Wellington South John’s occupation is Grocer. John’s death notice states that he was a former Secretary of the Grocer’s Union.
Annie however remained in Waimate, living at 31 Harris Street until her death.
John died on 12 February 1937 age 75 years in Wellington. His ashes are interred in Karori cemetery, Wellington in a Niche, Plot 112, Division C.
Annie died on 9 July 1938 age 76 years in Waimate, South Canterbury and is buried in Waimate old cemetery, New Methodist section, Plot 000049.
Sources:
England GRO Birth Index 1863 June Quarter, Witney, Vol 03A, Page 618
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1887/3551 John Samuel Butcher/Annie Blackwell
NZ DIA Death Index 1937/18020 John Samuel Butcher
NZ DIA Death Index 1938/28222 Annie Butcher
Funeral Notice – John Samuel Butcher, Evening Post 13 February 1937, Pg 1
Wellington City Council cemetery database online
Waitaki District Council Cemetery Records Online
Archives NZ Probate Records 1843-1998 on FamilySearch/John Samuel Butcher
Archives NZ Probate Records 1843-1998 on FamilySearch/Annie Butcher
