Martha was born in 1884. She was the daughter of Wilhelm Bretz and Martha Robertson Winter.
When Martha was about 5 years old she emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand with her parents and eight siblings, departing from London, England on 22 September 1889 on board the Kaikoura, and arriving into Wellington on 6 November 1889[1]. From there the family made their way to Auckland.
She met Henry Harrison and at the age of 20, she married 21 year old Henry in Auckland on 31 December 1901 at the Registrar's Office. Henry's occupation was recorded as Bootmaker.
Their daughter, Mabel Ellen Harrison, was born five months later on 28 May 1902.
Unfortunately Henry succumbed to a long illness at the age of 27 leaving Martha a widow with her 3 year old daughter Mabel. Wee Mabel was sent to live with her grandparents for a time, possibly on Great Barrier Island.
Martha married, secondly, Thomas "Tommy" McGrath on 2 October 1907 at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland, the ceremony performed by H. F. Holbrook (Officiating Minister). Martha was aged 23, 22 year old Tommy was employed as a Labourer. The witnesses were Ellen Knox and James Butler.
They had three children; Ellen, Ada and Dick.
Her husband Tommy was a fisherman. They were stationed at Tanner's Point, Katikati when she sadly passed away at 12.30 p.m. on 31 December 1925 at the age of 41, after taking her own life[2]. Her youngest child was only 11 years of age.
2 January 1926 - Waihi Public Cemetery, Waihi, New Zealand. Section: ROC, Block: D, Lot: 99. Denomination: Roman Catholic Church[3]
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R > Reid | M > McGrath > Martha (Reid) McGrath
Categories: Katikati, Bay of Plenty | Kaikoura, sailed 22 September 1889 | Migrants from Scotland to New Zealand | Suicides | Poisoning | Waihi Public Cemetery, Waihi, Waikato