Home Page!
- Anne McMinn, born in the town of Kilmarnmock, Scotland, came to New Zealand in the ship 'SILISTRIA' in 17 April 1863 with Daniel McLaren.
My first work was as nurse girl to Mrs Healey then for some time to Mrs. Gillies. Then to Mrs. Black's at Millburn. Was there 18 months got married and went with my husband to Dan Ross at Warepa in 1865. As I had not much to do I used to go and help work outside. I put in all the potatoes and I asked Ross to pay me but he said he would not so I said I would leave. He said if my husband left he would not pay him. So I packed my swag and I went. I had gone far past the cemetery hill when I suddenly saw a man standing on a hill. I got a big fright, but I had to go on so soon came up to him. It was Mr. Peter Ayson. I asked if he had a house I could get to live in. He asked who I was and where I came from. So I told him my tale. He said I did quite right to leave. He said Dr Smith had the house Mr. Bannerman lived in, but Smith wanted it for a week so it was no good to me, but Mr. Ayson told me John Somerville had a nice cottage just along the bush a bit and I would be sure to get it. So away I went in search of it and soon found it. I left my swag alongside and started in search of Mrs. Somerville and found her and Mrs. James talking at the front door. I told my errand, said if I could get the cottage I would either work for the rent or pay it. It was arranged I was to give one day's work a week to pay the rent. My husband left Ross the next week and I tell you I was pleased, as I did not like staying alone at night. I was 18 months with Mrs. Somerville, dairymaid etc. At that time J. Somerville milked 20 cows and made butter. Butter was 1/6 per pound. McKinley from Port Molyneux brought up meat and took away the butter every week. I went one day per week to Dr Manning to wash and clean up. I got 5/- per day from him. W Garvie, Jim McCallum and Sandy Sheddan were at Somerville's at this time. Dan and I went to Dunedin to the 1st Exhibition and on our road home, Hogg's Creek was a bit up and Dan said he would wade through to see if I could get over, but I was not for that. Dan was carrying a piece of beef on his back and as he stepped in the creek I caught hold of his coat tails. I was determined if he was going to be drowned; we would both go together.
When Sir George Gray visited the district I was at Wilson's the Shoemaker to see and be seen. I had my two daughters, with me. Someone told me to go well to the front to let Sir George see my girls and perhaps he might give them something but alas he asked if they were twins and that was all. I reckon he was a mean man.
Home Page!
