DEATH AT 95 YEARS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20009, 7 August 1939, Page 14

DEATH AT 95 YEARS

MRS. M. A. SAMSON

I OLD WXiliOA UKXIDLAT . i ('DillD'l IAX V\' >l?lvKl{. (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. An old and respected resident of Wairoa, and also at one time of Napier, Mrs. Mary Ann Samson, who had reached to within five years of the century, passed quietly away in the Wairoa Hospital on Saturday evening. Mrs. Samson was born at St. Heliers, Jersey, in 1844, and was a descendant Of those Huguenots who fled to the Channel Islands after the fierce persecutions in 'France. Here she was educated and here she received her first communion from the hands of the Dean of Jersey, who was the father of the celebrated English actress, Lily Langtry. Mrs. Samson remembered when the first sewing machine was introduced into Jersey, many of the conservative inhabitants considering it Ihe work of the devil. She also remembered when the bells were rung to celebrate the fall of Sebastopol in the Crimean War., Sixty-four Years In New Zealand Prior to emigrating to New Zealand G 4 years ago, she married Captain A. P. Samson, who had made voyages to various parts of the world. They left London in March, 1875, in the sailing ship, Countess of Kintore, and arrived at Napier on June 8- The medical officer On board the ship was Dr. Newman, who was afterwards a member for many years of a Wellington constituency. The immigrants were forced by circum.stances to live for some time in barracks in Napier. Fortune did not smile on this couple from Jersey, for not long after their arrival. Captain Samson met with a serious accident, which ultimately resulted in his death, and Mrs. Samson was left with a young family to bring up. She.had seen tremendous changes take place in the settlement of Hawke’s Bay and in her small way had contributed her share towards its development. Many Families Helped In 1916 she came to Wairoa with her daughter and she had resided in this district up to the time of her death. During her latter years Mrs. Samson's health failed. A devout Christian, Mrs. Samson had been a great worker for • the Anglican Church, and many families in Napier who had been helped would regret her passing. Mrs. Samson leaves a family of three daughters and one son. They are Mrs. J. Cameron, Paraparaumu, Mrs. R. Russell, Palmerston North, Mrs. A. H. Deighton, Wairoa, and Mr. A. P. L. Samson, Hastings. The funeral will lake place this afternoon, the services at the residence and the graveside being conducted by Archdeacon M. W, Butterfield.