Mary Ann Payne (1839 - 1876) was the third daughter and fifth child of James and Mary Ann Preece. She was born at Fairburn's mission at Maraetai on the Waitemata Harbour. Mary attended school in Auckland.
Mary was usually known as "Polly". She was a devout young woman, "kind and unselfish", very nice looking, and loved by her family.
In 1855 she was with the Rev C P Davies and family at the Opotiki mission. When C P Davies was evacuated from Opotiki for health reasons, Mary went with the family to the Bay of Islands before returning to be with her her parents at Whakatane. In 1858 she was living with the Archie Spicers in Auckland. She seems to have been helping with the children.
Mary travelled to England in 1863 with the Spicers. (Mrs Mary Spicer was Archie's mother.) She returned to New Zealand in January 1870, and was able to help her mother at the time of her father's illness and death.
In 1874 she married Dr Martin Payne of Thames at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Auckland. Martin Payne was at various times Honorary Surgeon at the Thames Hospital, "Native Medical Officer" and in Private Practice.
Mary's only child, Mary Reubenetta Preece Payne (there is some confusion about these names) was born at Thames in January 1875. Polly Payne had been "feeling poorly" during the pregnancy and towards the end, her writing became almost illegible. She died three days after giving birth. She was thirty-six years old. The infant was looked after by Wathen and Amelia Preece. Mary Reubenetta Payne married Frederick Lysnar, a member of a prominent Hawkes Bay family.
In 1877 Martin Payne married Jane Brewer. There were no more children.
Mary Payne was buried in the Shortland cemetery, Thames.
Look at other parts of the Preece story by following the link to the Index page.