Maria Juliana (Nation) Kay (1813 - 1902)

Born 22 Sep 1813 in Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green, London, England

Descendants

Died 11 Apr 1902 at age 88 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Maria Juliana Nation was born 22 September 1813 and christened 24 Oct 1813 at Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green, London. She is the only known child of Thomas Nation and Sarah (maiden name possibly Rawlings).^[1]

Maria married George Peter Kay, also from East London. George worked as a revenue officer and, after their marriage the couple lived in both East London and Devon.^[2].

Maria and George raised a family of four daughters: Maria Juliana Kay (1836– ), Eliza Kay (1838–1897), Louisa Eleanor Kay (1849–1899)​​ and Charlotte Elizabeth Kay (1853–1912).

Their eldest daughter Maria married Alfred Leach in 1860^[3], but little else is known of her life.

Their second daughter Eliza married Thomas James Gee, and the couple came out to New Zealand in 1864 on the British Empire, with their first child, Mary Louise Maria (b. 1863). Her husband Thomas Gee was a builder and contractor and worked for many years in Christchurch, erecting several large premises during this time.^[4]Thomas and Eliza had another seven children in New Zealand, all born in Christchurch.

In 1869 Maria Juliana Nation, her husband George Peter Kay and their two youngest daughters, Louisa and Charlotte, joined Eliza and Thomas Gee in Christchurch, arriving on the Mermaid, 8 January 1869.

In New Zealand George worked as a school teacher, initially teaching at Stoke School. Maria and George then moved to Sumner in 1880 and George became headmaster at Sumner School.^[5]

George died in Sumner on 23rd Aug 1894, aged 81 years, Maria died in Sumner eight years later, 11th April 1902, aged 89 years. Both are buried at the Woolston Cemetery, along with their two unmarried daughters, Louisa Eleanor Kay and Charlotte Elizabeth Kay.

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.burrowes.org
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGJ6-GJ5 : 9 November 2019), George P Key, , Devon, England; citing , Devon, England, p. 35, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
3. ↑ "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZPV-L2YB : 1 June 2021), Alfred Leech, 1860.
4. ↑ Obituary in LYTTELTON TIMES, VOLUME CXXII, ISSUE 15596, 21 APRIL 1911, Page 7.
5. ↑ information held on George Peter Kay at the Canterbury Museum: https://collection.canterburymuseum.com/objects/712917/macdonald-dictionary-record-george-peter-kay#&gid=1&pid=1

Birth record:

• "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSH7-6RFL?cc=3734475 : 24 September 2021), > image 1 of 1; London Metropolitan Archives, England.

Marriage record:

• Not located.

Death records:

• New Zealand BDM 1902/3507 Kay, Maria Juliana 88Y

Grave records:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #141003740 Maria Juliana (Nation) Kay, Woolston Cemetery, Christchurch, New Zealand

Grave inscription:

Sacred To The Memory Of

GEORGE PETER KAY

Who Died at Sumner

23rd Aug 1894

Aged 81 Years.

And Of

MARIA JULIANA NATION

Beloved Wife Of The Above

Died 11th April 1902

Aged 89 Years.

Also Their Beloved Daughters

LOUISA ELEANOR

Died 28th July 1899

Aged 50 Years.

And

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH

Died 29th May 1912

Aged 58 Years.

Jesus Called Them To Heavens'

Perfect Peace