ROWE, HANNAH nee PEARCE

 

Hannah Pearce was born at Tatarimaka in 1852.

 

In 1870 she married William Rowe, a seedsman who opened the first seed store and nursery in South Taranaki at Normanby in 1877.� It is said that practically the whole of the Hawera district and the Waimate Plains was grassed with seed from the Rowe's stock.

 

The Rowe's were very early settlers at Normanby.� Hannah recalled "The settlers lived a very simple life, and it was very isolated, for the railway did not come through from New Plymouth until 1881.� The womenfolk had to make all their own and their families' clothes; in some instances even the boots were handmade.� There was little or no money, but there was always plenty of food.� The stores frequently were asked to exchange goods for fungus."

 

Hannah Rowe died at New Plymouth on 28 January 1939 aged 87 years and is buried at the Waihi cemetery, Normanby.

 

SOURCE

Obituary "Hawera Star" 30 Jan 1939

Interview "Hawera Star" 17 Feb 1933