Maker: Jan Sonne

Panel number: 51

Petition Sheet Number: 42 

Person honouring: Barbara Strang 

Relationship to makers: None.

Barbara was born 1841 in Peeblesshire Scotland. Her parents were Alan Brown and Barbara Watson who emigrated to Australia. 

Barbara married James Strang in Australia in 1859 and  had 9 daughters and 3 sons. James died in 1896 and on 30 January 1917 Barbara married George Balsille. In July of that year George then aged 75 was charged with bigamy. He said that his first wife had deserted him. She was however alive and well. George admitted the charge of bigamy. In court news Barbara was described as ‘of open countenance. She sat in the body of the court throughout the proceedings placidly knitting.’ The couple were warned by the Judge against living together as it would be considered adultery. George’s first wife died in 1926 and George and Barbara married again that year, this time legally. They had three years together as husband and wife. Both died in 1929 and are buried together in Anderson Bay cemetery. 

Panel materials: Offcuts of vintage blankets, old tea towels, vintage buttons, old lace, table cloths and 46 pieces of paua.  3% may have been new but not bought for project.