General Notes

From the Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 1199, 11 December 1928, Page 3:

   MARGARET GIBSON FISHER. With the passing of the abovenamed lady, widow of the late George Edward Fisher, Otautau, another of the links binding the present to the early days of Southland is broken. Born in Catrine, Ayrshire, Scotland, in December, 1839, deceased passed her early years amid the spots familiar to the Scottish poet, Burns, around whose cottage and along the banks and braes o' bonny Doon' she played as a girl. Married in 1862 she, with her husband, sailed during October of that year from Glasgow in the clipper ship, "Ben Lomond,' then making her maiden voyage from the time of lifting anchor it Lamlash Bay the ship made Port Chalmers in seventy days, a very fine accomplishment in the days of fast sailing clippers.
   The late Mr Fisher walked down from Dunedin to Invercargill, his wife following shortly after in one of the small vessels then trading at Invercargill. Their first home was in East Invercargill, from which they presented a letter of introduction carried from the Homeland to the late Rev. A. H. Stobo, the first minister of First Church. Becoming one of the early members of that Church, both retained membership continuously with the Presbyterian Church till death, removed them.
   Deceased has with the exception of two years spent in Waimate, continuously lived in Southland since January, 1863. Notwithstanding a somewhat frail body and many years of indifferent health, She accompanied her husband during his digging days, and showed a courage, fortitude and determination, characteristics she retained all through life. With her husband she was responsible for the establishment of the first school at Clifton years before the present free system was in force. Seventeen years ago Mr. and Mrs. Fisher came to stay in Otautau, residing there till two years ago, when Mr Fisher died. Since then deceased has lived with her daughter, Mrs H. H. Twemlow, at Waikiwi, Invercargill, who, with Mr. John Fisher, Otautau, and Colonel Alan Fisher, Salvation Army, Sydney, comprise the family left to mourn the loss of a loving mother, a gentle yet firm personality, and one of the heroic piqneers of the province.
   The funeral, of a private nature being attended only by members of the family took place yesterday to the Riverton Cemetery, Rev. L L. Robinson conducting the service at the house, and Rev. J. B. Bickerstaff at the grave.

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Headstone Inscription:
Lilias Porteous wife of John FISHER Otautau age 37 years and Nellie STEVEN their niece age 14 years who were accidentally drowned at Riverton 16 Jan 1904. Margaret Grace Dalkieth their eldest daughter died at Otautau 22 Jun 1919 age 29 years. George Edward FISHER Otautau 24 Aug 1926 age 87 years. Margaret Gibson FISHER his wife died at Invercargill 8 Dec 1928 age 89 years.

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  Christening Notes

Margaret Gibson lawful daughter of Allan Gibson, wright, Catrine, and Margaret Morton his spouse, was born 21st December 1839 and baptised 11 January 1840.

  Burial Notes

Riverton Cemetery (New), Presbyterian Section, Row 1 of E, Plot 9

  Recorded Events in Her Life

• She appeared on the 1861 Census of Scotland on 7 April 1861 in Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. ⁸
  

Allan Gibson       53
Margt Gibson       45
Margt Gibson       21
Janet Gibson       19
William Gibson       12
Allan Gibson       8
Marion Gibson       4

• Gallery: Detail view of Margaret (Gibson) Fisher taken from a group photo at her 60th wedding anniversary celebration, in October 1922, in Otautau, Southland, Southland, New Zealand.

• She has conflicting death information of 8 December 1928 and Riverton, Southland, Southland, New Zealand. ⁶

• She was buried at the Riverton Cemetery (New), Presbyterian Section, Row 1 of E, Plot 9, in Riverton, Southland, Southland, New Zealand about 10 December 1928.
  
  Memorial Inscription:
  
  In Loving Memory of
  LILIAS PORTEOUS
  BELOVED WIFE OF JOHN FISHER, OTAUTAU,
  AGED 37 YEARS
  AND NELLIE STEVEN, THEIR NIECE
  AGED 14 YEARS,
  WHO WERE ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED AT
  RIVERTON, 16TH JANUARY 1904.
  MARGARET GRACE DALKIETH,
  THEIR ELDEST DAUGHTER, DIED AT
  OTAUTAU, 22ND JUNE 1919, AGED 29 YEARS.
  GEORGE EDWARD FISHER, OTAUTAU
  DIED 24TH AUGUST 1926, AGED 87 YEARS
  MARGARET GIBSON FISHER, HIS WIFE
  DIED AT INVERCARGILL, 8TH DECEMBER 1928
  AGED 89 YEARS.
  At Rest.
  
  Note: Margaret Fisher's second middle name has been carved incorrectly on the gravestone; the correct spelling should be "Dalkeith" (not "Dalkieth").