History – First Lady of the Port Albert

Mary Ann Wilkin (known as Polly) was the fifth daughter of a relatively prosperous Fen Country farmer. Born in 1846, Mary Ann had a happy childhood on Primrose Farm. She and her sisters helped with chores which included killing, plucking and dressing the large number of fowls raised as a main source of income. Then Mary Ann met Alfred Neal and they became engaged. He was already planning to follow his brother to New Zealand so Mary Ann’s parents sent her to work in a restaurant in London for six months, to get her used to being away from her sisters.

Mary Ann and Alfred married in Little Downham Church on 12 June 1866. Mary Ann’s sister Hannah wrote on their wedding day, “You have today, Darling Sister, entered into quite a new course of life – you have been united to one in whom we all have the greatest confidence. Dear Pollie, rest assured we shall not forget to pray daily that God be pleased to grant you a safe voyage and we must all look forward with this, the pleasant hope that at some future period in our life we may share the unspeakable pleasure of meeting again.”

When Mary Ann married, her waist measured 18 inches. Her wedding dress was sky blue silk (the traditional colour for brides of that era) with a crinoline skirt and bodice trimmed with military style cream braid and tassels. Only the bodice has survived along with a piece of its matching blue parasol. One week after their wedding Alfred and Mary Ann sailed to New Zealand aboard Winterthur. Mr Wilkin was at Gravesend to farewell them. He later wrote, “My dear Polly, I shall never forget the last few moments that I had to spend with you, on that ship, at Gravesend, I waved my white handkerchief, until I could not see you no more.” Like so many other young emigrant women, Mary Ann never saw her family again.

The Neals first home was a nikau whare on 40 bush-covered acres in Waitakere. There Mary Ann gave birth to her first six children in seven-and-a-half year years, never leaving the farm. In 1874 Alfred inherited his brother’s property at Port Albert and the family set off on the difficult journey north. Mary Ann rode sidesaddle to Helensville carrying the five-week-old baby in her arms with bundles of clothes tied to the front and back of her saddle. Alfred led another horse with a boxes tied on each side and two little heads peeping out of each box. Their furniture and household goods came on a bullock wagon. The oldest boy walked or rode on the wagon. A scow took them from Helensville to their new ‘Primrose Farm’ on the banks of the Oruawharo River.

The farm prospered, selling butter, eggs and mutton to the local mill workers and when scows came for timber their captains were glad of fresh produce. Mary Ann kept 50-60 chooks, even in her later years. A legacy enabled Alfred to add an adjoining property to Primrose farm. The couple raised 14 children and descendants are still in the Albertland district. Alfred and Mary Ann were staunch Christians and helped start the Methodist Church in Port Albert. A Minister rode from Warkworth once a month and local preachers, including Alfred, took turns the rest of the time.

The couple celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1916. Three years later, Alfred died aged 75 years. After his death Mary Ann continued doing all she could to help the church.

Mary Ann (Polly) Neal died on 7 May 1922, aged 75, while brushing her hair before leaving for church. She is buried beside her husband in Port Albert Cemetery.

Source, Neal family histories

Note: Polly’s wedding bodice will feature in an upcoming Museum event.