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By: Clare Pierson10th Nov 2023 2:48PMKia ora,
The information on this site and in the 'Women of Westland" Volume II booklet confounds two women if the information Julia Bradshaw, Curator of Canterbury Museum (formerly Hokitika Museum) provides is correct. The only woman gold miner at Bell Hill was Elizabeth Guilford, born in Wiltshire. England. Elizabeth could be seen in Bell Hill wearing gumboots and male clothing, wielding a long-handled shovel and female clothing in her home.Elizabeth died 21st. February, a 1892 at the Grey River Hospital. Death Notice: Elizabeth Guilford, native of Easton, near Malvern, Wiltshire, and late of Bell Hill, aged 75 years. Her burial was at Greymouth Cemetery February 24, 1892.
Nga mihi nui, Clare Pierson

By: Julia Bradshaw27th Sep 2023 9:46AMI love this sculpture. Can someone please tell me where it is located? Thanks

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Sugar Annie (Annie Rankin)

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DescriptionGeoffrey Bell: Sugar Annie (Annie Rankin) was born in Northern Island and immigrated to New Zealand where she found her way to the West Coast during the peak gold years 1865-75. Sugar Annie, like her contemporary, Little Biddy of the Buller (Bridget Goodwin), lived with two male companions and worked beside them in their gold claim at Bell Hill. Her companions were William Clarke and Far Down Jack. She used to visit Parfitt's Stores at No Town and Hatters Terrace, her only social contact. She outlived her two male partners and worked her claim alone until 1909 when her frail health forced her admittance to Grey River Hospital. She passed away in 1910 and is buried in the Karoro Cemetery.Map^[1]

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PersonSugar AnnieAnnie Rankin

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CommentsJanet Griffin My husband's grandparents Fred Eric and Lucy Griffin farmed at Bell Hill. Fred died in 1931.

Jude McMillan When my Grandparents Alexander Laing and his wife Marion came out from Scotland they were at Bell Hill. He was a sawyer. Arrived about 1927 -28.

Janet Griffin Fred farmed but also worked at a sawmill.

Jude McMillan May well have worked together. We will never know.

Glenn Johnston I think Sugar Nan and Far Down Jack's mining at Bell Hill predated the 1940's but have not checked my references and stand to be corrected?

Laura Mills Detlaff I think she's in one of the Women of Westland books. Her real name was Annie Rankin and she died in 1910. She hard married Jack Clarke who died in the Brunner Mine disaster in 1896.

Glenn Johnston It is a correct story but I was pointing out that the 1940's date mentioned may be wrong! Laura's post likely proves me to be correct. I've got some info about those two somewhere but haven't searched it out as papers have been moved due to office renovations at home.

Geoffrey Bell Sugar Annie (Annie Rankin) was born in Northern Island and immigrated to New Zealand where she found her way to the West Coast during the peak gold years 1865-75. Sugar Annie, like her contemporary, Little Biddy of the Buller (Bridget Goodwin), lived with two male companions and worked beside them in their gold claim at Bell Hill. Her companions were William Clarke and Far Down Jack. She used to visit Parfitt's Stores at No Town and Hatters Terrace, her only social contact. She outlived her two male partners and worked her claim alone until 1909 when her frail health forced her admittance to Grey River Hospital. She passed away in 1910 and is buried in the Karoro Cemeter

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Sugar Annie (Annie Rankin)

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