Pudney, Elizabeth Jane (1862–1938)

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Pudney, Elizabeth Jane (1862–1938)

New Zealand religious leader. Name variations: Eliza Jane Matthews. Born Eliza Jane Matthews, Aug 15, 1862, at Earls Colne, Essex, England; died on Mar 1, 1938, in Auckland, New Zealand; dau. of William Matthews (farmer) and Rebecca (Allen) Matthews; m. Robert Leaper Pudney (professor), 1892; children: 2 daughters, including Elizabeth Allen Pudney, and 1 son.

Immigrated to New Zealand (c. 1893); settled on 600-acre farm, which became regular meeting house for Quakers; was a founding executive member of New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union (1897); moved to England to educate children at Society of Friends' Sidcot School (1905); returned to New Zealand (1909) and became founding member of New Zealand Freedom League (1913); active in Auckland Women's Peace Committee.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).