Bates, Sophia Ann (1817–1899)

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Bates, Sophia Ann (1817–1899)

New Zealand teacher and postmaster. Born Sophia Ann Bates, Mar 6, 1817, at Westminster, London, England; died Nov 28, 1899, at Onehunga, New Zealand; dau. of John (tinsmith) and Elizabeth Hix (Brown) Bates.

Immigrated with parents to New Zealand (1847); lived in Fencible settlement at Onehunga, Auckland; became schoolmistress soon after settlement; served as sub-deputy postmaster supervising delivery of mail to Onehunga beginning 1849, then appointed as 1st woman postmaster (1855); continued to teach until retirement (1860).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 1).