Cowie, Eliza Jane (1835–1902)

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Cowie, Eliza Jane (1835–1902)

New Zealand social-welfare worker. Name variations: Eliza Jane Webber. Born probably Oct 6, 1835, in England; died Aug 18, 1902, in Parnell, New Zealand; dau. of William (surgeon) and Eliza (Preston) Webber; m. William Garden Cowie (bishop), 1869 (died 1902); children: 1 daughter, 5 sons.

Immigrated with husband to New Zealand (1870); performed socialwelfare work among Auckland's poor; founded and supervised women's home in Parnell (now St. Mary's Family Centre) in which domestic skills were taught; helped found children's homes in Parnell (1893) and Ponsonby (1896).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).

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