Mary-Jane (Vercoe) Marks (bef. 1825 - 1915)

Born before 11 Dec 1825 in St Mawes, Cornwall, England

Ancestors

Wife of Hannibal Marks — married 22 Feb 1845 in Courtney Street Chapel, New Plymouth, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 20 Oct 1915 after age 89 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Biography

Mary-Jane (Vercoe) Marks was born in Cornwall, England.

Mary-Jane (Vercoe) Marks has English ancestors.

Mary-Jane (Vercoe) Marks migrated from England to New Zealand.

The following is a biography from WHS Journal 1994

Mrs Marks has passed away at the age of nearly ninety on 10 October 1915. She was born in Cornwall in November 1825 and came to New Zealand with her parents Mr and Mrs Philip Vercoe in 1842 by the 'Timandra’ to New Plymouth. She was their eldest child.

In her teens she accompanied the Rev and Mrs Skevington to the Waimate Mission Station and she could tell of the difficulties of the long journey on foot through bush and scrub and by beach and native track.

At an early age she became the wife of Captain Hannibal Marks, who had charge of the Government steamer Sandfly during the Land Wars. Their union resulted in a Christian home and a family where Christ was ever honoured.

Unfortunately Captain Marks and his eldest son also named Hannibal were drowned in Tauranga Harbour in 1879.... she bravely took up her burden ... her children grew up around her she gave them the example and training of an ideal mother. Descended from the Rev Walter Vercoe, an early Cornish Methodist preacher, she was devoted to the Methodist Church, and loved it best when it was true to its ancient tradition. Her children were baptised in the Pitt Street Church by such pioneer ministers as James Wallis, George Buttle, Alexander Reid, John Crump and R S Bunn.

The following event shows her indomitable spirit. When living at Waiuku her only daughter died suddenly when her husband was away. She made a coffin by covering a candlebox with a black silk handkerchief, got a passage in a cutter to the Manukau, walked thence through the scrub to Auckland via One Tree Hill, carrying her precious burden and accompanied only by her lad, reached her destination at midnight.

She leaves a family of four sons and three daughters, among the latter being Mrs J T Pinfold....... she was laid among spring sunshine in Symonds Street Cemetery, the mourners preserving the custom of older days by following her remains on foot....^[1]

Died 20 OCT 1915. Auckland, New Zealand. ^[2]

Christening: 11 DEC 1825. St Just In Roseland, Cornwall, England. ^[3]

Buried 22 OCT 1915. Symond Street Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand^[4].

Occupation: Seamstress.

Sources

1. ↑ Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #61 /1994/Page 49
2. ↑ Source: #S229100 Page The New Zealand Herald of 22\10\1915 has Mary Jane Marks died 20 October 1915 aged 90 years, relict of Capt. Hannibal Marks, and buried 22 October 1915 in Symonds Street Cemetery.
3. ↑ OPC Parish records
4. ↑ NZSG Cemetery Record