DescriptionThis is a photograph of Sarah Taylor nee Cotton with three of her nine children. Possibly the youngest children Robert, George and Robina Taylor.
Born in Lissan, Londonderry, Ireland in 1833, Sarah married Job Taylor. The couple had four children in Irealand, prior to immigrating to Australia in 1860 with Sarah's brother Robert. That same year, three of Sarah and Job's four children died. Two on the ship to Australia, and one shortly after arrival.
While Job worked on the Bendigo goldfields, Sarah and their surviving daughter Elizabeth lived in Malmsbury in a little stone hut. During this time, daughter Sarah Ann was born.
Three years after arrival in Australia, Robert Cotton ventured to New Zealand. Sarah and family eventually followed her brother to Waipori. Sarah did not enjoy Waipori and missed Ireland.
Job later moved them to Dunstan. At Dunstan, the family continued to grow with the births of Margaret Matilda, Robert Thomas Henry, George Cotton, and Robina Abigail Gordon.
In 1890, Sarah lost another child when son George drowned at Waipori while staying at his uncle Robert Cotton.
The family later moved to Dunedin, where Sarah died in 1903 aged 69.
This information comes from page 276 of 'Gold Beneath Dark Waters | The People of Waipori,' by David Still.PhotographerUnknown DateC.1872RightsThis item is out of copyright. ContributorWaipori Goldfields Charitable Trust
