AN EVENTFUL LIFE ENDED.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2013, 27 February 1890, Page 1

AN EVENTFUL LIFE ENDED.

Few women, says the Scotsman, have had a more eventful life than Mrs Mary Ann Allan, a pensioner of the city of Edinburgh, who has just passed away at the age of 79. She was a child of the regiment. Her father was , Quartermaster-sergeant Maxwell, of the 74fch Regiment, whose wife followed with him the fortunes of the army through the Peninsular War. Mrs Allan was born in a convent at Lisbon, was christened by a Portuguese priest, though her parents were Protestants, and while yet a mere infant scaled the walls of Badajoz strapped upon her mother’s back. With her mother she was also on the field of Waterloo. Her girlhood was spent in barracks or in the baggage waggon moving from place to place, and at the age of 17 she became the wife of Colour-sergeant Allan, of the same regiment. Her wanderings again commenced, and . fler, f family, consisting of nine children, were born in different parts ef the world—Canada India, the West Indies, and Ireland. After Jus discharge from the army with many honours, Colour-sergeant Allan became the Governor of the old lock-up which stood at the foot of Liberton Wynd, while his wife officiated as .matron. When this was abolished, he continued until his death 20 years ago, to look after the courthouse prison, which occupied the basement, floor of the Sheriff Court. In consideration of, her long service as matron of the lock-up and courthouse prison, Mrs Allan enjoyed a moderate pension from the city until her death.