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Topic: Eliza Wallis (nee Hart) (1846-1914)
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Suffragette Eliza Wallis (nee Hart) actively sought the Vote for Women which was granted in 1893. She was a founding member of the National Council of Women which was formed in 1896. Her signature appears directly under Kate Sheppard's on the first page of the 1893 Woman's Suffrage Petition. Eliza was my fourth great aunt - Debbie McCauley (2013).
Eliza was born in Wellington on 30 March 1846 to Edward and Sarah Hart (nee Culley) [unregistered].
She married John Wallis at the private residence of Joshua Smith in Wellington on 13 January 1863 (reg. 1863/7832). Her father, Edward Hart, was witness to the marriage. John was born c1839. He was a carpenter from London.
The children of Eliza and John Wallis:
- Emily Wallis (1863-1914). Born in Wellington on 23 August 1863 (reg. 1863/10744). Emily was a pupil teacher at Colombo Road School in Christchurch. She had an illegitimate daughter named Esther Wallis on 8 October 1879 [Esther was later adopted by 'Minnie Dean' at Winton and was a witness at her trial for infanticide in 1895]. Emily married Abraham Henry Townsend on 1 June 1901 (reg. 1901/2185). They had no children together but Abraham had a son by a former marriage. Emily died, aged 48, in Linwood, Christchurch, at the residence of her stepson on 6 March 1914 (reg. 1914/1898). Emily left her estate to her stepson and her death entry is blank in the space for age & sex of living issue.
- Herbert Wallis (1865-1865). Born and died in Wellington in 1865.
- John Wallis (1867-1868). Born in Wellington in 1867, John died there in 1868.
- Frederick Arthur Wallis (1869-1920). Born in Wellington on 24 November 1869. He never married. Frederick died at Seaview Mental Hospital in Hokitika on 8 September 1920.
- Alice Matilda Wallis (1872-1934). Born in Wellington in 1872. She married Christopher Farquharson in 1898 (reg. 1898/4854). Alice died in Christchurch in 1934.
- Gertrude May Wallis (1874-1955). Born in Christchurch in 1874. Gertrude died in Christchurch in 1955.
- Elizabeth Wallis (1877-1952). Known as 'Edith'. Born in Christchurch on 22 January 1877. Edith never married. She died in Wellington in 1852.
- Ellen Sarah Wallis (1879-1940). Born in Christchurch on 26 April 1879. She died in Christchurch in 1940.
- Frank Leonard Wallis (1882-1964). Born in Christchurch on 13 February 1882. He married Edith Hand on 5 December 1912. They had two children; Leonard Maxwell Wallis (1913-1991) and Wilfred Frank Wallis (1916-1943). Frank died, aged 81, in 1964 (reg. 1964/43973).
- Arnold Wallis (1885-1956). Born in Christchurch on 14 February 1885. He never married. Arnold died in 1956.
- Winifred Olive Wallis (1888-1964). Born in Christchurch on 23 March 1888 (reg. 1888/12414). "Winifred was always called by her middle name of Olive as were most children of John & Eliza. Aunty Olive did marry a Donald Owen, who left her in a desparate state in Wellington very early on in their marriage, there were no children, and Olive came back to Christchurch and became an expert hoarder. My mother looked after her in her later years at our home, and had the daunting task of clearing out her house." (Frances Moss, 2014). She died in Christchurch in 1964.
- Wilfred Stanley Wallis (1891-1957). Born in Opawa, Christchurch on 15 May 1891. He was a Doctor as well as an Artist. Wilfred married Elsie Ada Williams at Timaru on 18 May 1915. He served in World War I. Wilfred's daughter, who is aged 95 and still alive, went to Kent many years ago and obtained the birth, death and marriage copies from the Thurnham Parish Church for the Hart family. Wilfred died in Rotorua on 20 September 1957.
Eliza and John moved to Christchurch in the 1870s. Whilst there they raised their illegitimate grandchild, Esther Wallis, who was born in 1879. Eventually caring for Esther as well as their other children became too much for the couple, and on 22 April 1890 Esther was adopted by 'Minnie Dean' who was found guilty of infanticide in 1895.
Eliza was active on the National Council of Women and the Vote for Women. Her signature appears directly under Kate Sheppard's on the first page of the 1893 Woman's Suffrage Petition, both of Riccarton, Christchurch [see the last signature on page displayed below].
1893 Woman's Suffrage Petition
Suratura Tea National Council of Women (1896). Originally appeared in a supplement to the Auckland Star on 3 October 1896; 'The Suratura tea proprietory is most enterprising in their efforts to place before the homes of the people in New Zealand the very excellent qualities of the famous Suratura tea. They circulate through the STAR today a valuable pictorial supplement showing portraits of the 25 New Zealand ladies who composed the National Council of Women, held at Christchurch in April last. In the hand of each lady is held a cup of Suratura tea, which they are sipping with evident delight. The likenesses are very good. We specially emphasise that the Auckland wholesale agent for this tea is Mr John Schiska, Elliott-street' (p. 4). Eliza Wallis (nee Hart) can be seen in the top right hand side, second row back, with the speech bubble: 'There's marvellous econmy in Suratura Tea'.
The National Council of New Zealand Women (1896). Eliza Wallis is standing in the second row from the back, sixth from the left as indicated by the asterix.
The wedding of Alice Matilda Wallis to Christopher Farquharson in Christchurch in 1898 (reg. 1898/4854). Eliza Wallis (nee Hart) is seated on the right of the bride, her husband John Wallis next to her. Directly behind Eliza is Olive Wallis with Emily Wallis behind John.
John Wallis died, aged 64, on 27 May 1903 (reg. 1903/4012). That same year Eliza received the following postcard from fellow suffragette Kate Sheppard. Because of the content it is believed to have been sent sometime after John's death in May 1903:
Post Mark: Surbiton, 10:15 am, 1903. Mrs. Wallis, Ensors Road, Ferry Road, Christchurch, New Zealand. "I am going to attend a National Convention of Women Workers in London this week- to agitate for the franchise - I have been asked to tell about New Zealand.[and on reverse side] Thank you for your kind letter. You must keep as bright as possible for the sake of the others - Mr. S and Douglas are both well. I am visiting Mrs May at present. Mr May has gone to New Zealand on business. Best Wishes, from K.W.S. [Mr. S. refers to Kate Sheppard's husband Walter Allen Sheppard and Douglas is their son]. Many thanks to Frances Moss for both the images and deciphering of this postcard.
Eliza died at her home at 179 Ensors Road, Linwood, aged 71, on 15 September 1914 (reg. 1914/6058). She was buried in Linwood Cemetery on 17 September 1914 (Block 33 Plot 234).
References:
Births, Deaths and Marriages Online (New Zealand).
Christchurch Cemetery Records Online
Frances Moss: Great granddaughter of Eliza Wallis (nee Hart) (personal communication, 17 April 2013 & 2014).
How to cite this page: McCauley, Debbie (2013). Eliza Hart (1846-1914). Retrieved from http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/en/tauranga_local_history/topics/show/1278 (Tauranga Memories, last updated: *insert date*). In-text citation: (McCauley, 2013)
Billing, Eliza (nee Peardon)
