Matakohe's First White Settler

An elderly woman, dressed formally, seated and posed for a portrait. Scotland born Catherine and her husband Richard Smith were early settlers of Matakohe, arriving there in 1862. Catherine was the first white woman to set foot on Matakohe soil. She and her husband raised a large family there. Catherine also ran the Post Office in her own home on a voluntary basis. Richard built the first store and wharf and helped build the church. Catherine died in 1896 aged 73 and her husband a year later. Photograph published in Women: Today & Yesterday by Florence Keene.; Collections: Florence Keene Photograph Collection; Publications: Women: Today & Yesterday by Florence Keene.;

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