Sarah Ann McMurray (née Silcock, 26 August 1848 – 14 September 1943)[1] was a New Zealand woodcarver and craftswoman.[2]
Sarah McMurray | |
|---|---|
 McMurray, c. 1908 | |
| Born | Sarah Ann Silcock 26 August 1848 |
| Died | 14 September 1943 (aged 95) Palmerston North, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Other names | Sarah Ann McMurray |
| Known for | Wood carving |
| Spouse |
Robert McMurray (m. 1872) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | Simon Bonnet Silcock and Susannah Flower |
| Relatives | Sarah Page (cousin) |
| Signature | |
 | |
Biography edit
McMurray was born in Nelson, New Zealand, on 26 August 1848, the daughter of Susannah Silcock (née Flower) and Captain Simon Bonnet Silcock.[3] McMurray was the third of 14 children.[4] Sarah Page, a prohibitionist, was McMurray's cousin through her mother's sister, Rhoda Saunders (née Flower), who married politician Alfred Saunders.[5]
She married Robert McMurray in 1872.[3][6] They had six children.[7] They lived for some time in dense forest in the Inangahua Valley on the West Coast of the South Island. In the 1880s they moved to a farm in Awahuri in the North Island. Later moving again to Wanganui.[3]
She took up relief carving as a hobby and despite being over 50 years old she enrolled in a local technical college to develop her wood carving skills.[8][3] She was prolific and elaborately carved most of the furnishings in her house.[9][3]
She was among the signatories to New Zealand's 1893 women's suffrage petition.[7] In 1914 her and husband Robert McMurray moved to Palmerston North.[3] She continued her woodcarving in Palmerston North working in the garden shed.[3] She worked mainly in kauri.[3] She also handmade toys for her children and grandchildren one of which is in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[10]
Death edit
McMurray died at her home on Ada Street in Palmerston North on 14 September 1943, aged 95.[11] [12] She is buried at Terrace End Cemetery next to her husband, who died in 1927.[7][13][14]
References edit
- ^ "Sarah McMurray; Collections Online – Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa".
- ^ "McMurray, Sarah, 1848–1943". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Orwin, P. M. (1992). Macdonald, Charlotte (ed.). The book of New Zealand women = Ko Kui Ma Te Kaupapa (Repr. (twice) ed.). Wellington: Williams. pp. 392–393. ISBN 0908912048.
- ^ 92 and Still Going Strong Manawatu Times 26 August 1940 Page 5
- ^ "Rhoda Saunders". Geni.com. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle 27 September 1871 Page 6
- ^ a b c "S. A. McMurray | NZHistory, New Zealand history online".
- ^ 92-YEAR-OLD PIONEER Wanganui Chronicle 29 August 1940 Page 8
- ^ TALENTED AGE! Manawatu Times 16 September 1935 Page 6
- ^ "Toy policeman; Collections Online – Museum of New Zealand te Papa Tongarewa".
- ^ Manawatu Times 15 September 1943 Page 1
- ^ Grand Old Lady of 95 Years Passes Manawatu Times 23 September 1943 Page 2
- ^ "Cemetery and cremation search". Palmerston North City Council. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ Manawatu Standard 8 September 1927 Page 1
External links edit
- Photographs of Robert and Sarah Ann McMurray, Manawatu Heritage