Deans, Jane (1823–1911)

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Deans, Jane (1823–1911)

New Zealand social leader and memoirist. Name variations: Jane McIlraith. Born Jane McIlraith, 1823, in Ayrshire, Scotland; died Jan 19, 1911, at Canterbury, New Zealand; dau. of James and Agnes (Caldwell) McIlraith; m. John Deans, 1852 (died 1854); children: 1.

Immigrated to New Zealand with husband (1853); after husband's death, helped promote establishment of Presbyterian church and academy (1857).

See also memoirs, Letters to My Grandchildren (1923); and Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 1).