Burry, Emily, 1862-: Letters

Collection comprises seven letters and one newspaper cutting. The first two letters are undated and are from Emmie Burry to her sister Mary, in Bath. These letters were written aboard the Royal Mail Steamer Osterley. The Osterley was travelling from England to New Zealand via Sydney. These letters narrate the beginning of Burry's voyage. She appears to be travelling with family which may include a brother Eric and a sister Alice. The letters include a brief description of life aboard the vessel. She mentions going ashore in Port Said, near the Suez Canal, where there was a medical inspection.

The next four letters are addressed to her sister Mollie (possibly the Mary of the first two letters) and are all undated, but cover the period December to January, probably 1895-1896. These letters begin with her arrival in Auckland and the news that she is engaged to an Irishman from Belfast, Captain Thomas McCalmont, aged 51 years. She mentions a relation Bertie who is also about to be married in New Zealand. Later letters relate her marriage and honeymoon in Rotorua. She then travels to Sydney by boat and on the passage over falls and breaks her right arm (see letter of Jan 15th). The last letter (28 Jan) has Burry back in New Zealand visiting Auckland, Napier and Whakarewarewa. She relates her trip to the Maori village then details her intended trip around the North Island and then her planned trip back to England via America. Some of these letters mention a relation Bessie who is probably Bessie Pullen Burry.

The final letter dated 5 Jan 1896 is to Mary from a Burry relation who resides in the Hokianga. The letter writer comments on how much they are looking forward to meeting Emmie Burry on her journey to Auckland.

The newspaper cutting is possibly from 1914 and highlights a visit from Lady Stout and Miss Pullen Burry to the South Island. The article quotes the ladies as being `two prominent supporters of the feminist movement, and champions of the suffragette cause'.

Source of title - Supplied by Library

Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Holograph, mss & printed material

Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchase, England, August 2007