Ritchie, Harriet Maria (1818–1907)

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Ritchie, Harriet Maria (1818–1907)

New Zealand hospital matron, servants' home matron, and dressmaker. Name variations: Harriet Maria Overton, Harriet Maria Simpson. Born Harriet Maria Overton, Dec 1, 1818, in London, England; died Sept 30, 1907, in New Zealand; dau. of Thomas Overton (laborer) and Mary Overton; m. Joseph Simpson, 1839; m. David Ritchie, 1862; children: (1st m.) 1.

Immigrated to New Zealand (1850); 1st husband left and presumably died in Australia; appointed matron of Lyttleton hospital (1856–62); appointed matron of servants' home and registry office (1864–67); worked as dressmaker from her home (c. 1870s).

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