From Moira Draper 1 November 2000
Here are my notes on Bridget Elizabeth Lawton:
Bridget's first husband Maurice had died before she travelled to Hawke's Bay with her son James on the "WINCHESTER" arriving in Hawke's Bay on 26 July 1874. She left her daughter Mary in Ireland with relations. The Hawke's Bay Museum records that Bridget Bransfield is listed among the 'single women' with her son James aged four. Also on board, listed under single men, was Thomas Lawton. Bridget and Thomas were both nominated by James Lawton. It is presumed but not proven that they were cousins.
Bridget went to work at the Catholic Presbytery in Napier, and in 1879 married Philip Scullin, a local farmer.
"MUSKETS AND MARSHES" the book by Laraine Knight records that from 1 January 1887 Phillip Scullin was the Store Owner at the Meeanee Store and Post Office, and it is elsewhere recorded that Mrs Scullin was the Postmistress there for 32 years, but the records show they ran the Store and Post Office from 1 January 1887 to 28 August 1916.
She died at her son's residence at 58 Macdonald Street Napier on 11 September 1922. She was survived by her two daughters Mrs M Seerup of Ohura and Mrs C M Oliver Meeanee, and four sons Messrs J. Bransfield, Meeanee, S. Scullin, Napier, P. Scullin, Napier, and F. Scullin, Meeanee, and numerous grandchildren. She was buried at Taradale on 13 September 1922.