Biographical information provided by Stefanie Lash, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Rachel Fisher Lockhart was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1862. The Lockhart family of parents William and Sarah Jane, with Rachel and her four sisters, migrated to New Zealand in 1878 as assisted immigrants, settling in Canterbury.
In the 1890s the family were living on Harnham St, Sydenham, where Rachel, her sister Mary and her mother Sarah Jane all worked as dressmakers. Based on their address, it is likely that Sarah signed the Petition as well.
In 1898 Rachel married Walter Whyte Hamilton, a labourer. They lived on Tomes Road in Papanui and later moved to Worcester St. Rachel and Walter had two daughters, Evelyn and Jessie.
Rachel was widowed in 1909 and later moved to 11 Scotson Ave. She died in 1938.
