Sarah Anne Linton. (1852-1916). New Zealand Pioneer. On path 14, corner AD.
Sarah’s parents, Mary Jemima (née Duncan) and Richard Kibblewhite, had reached Port Nicholson aboard the “Clifton” in 1842 and had been granted land at Masterton where Sarah was born on 23 November 1852. On 3 May 1869 Sarah married a special constable, James Linton, who was organising local defences against Maori attack and was subsequently appointed a land agent. Late in 1870, Sarah, James and their infant daughter Jane, made the arduous journey on horseback via the Wairarapa and Manawatu Gorge to an area which was later to become the city of Palmerston North. There she bore another daughter and eleven sons. James played a leading role in the growth of the town, as mayor twice, and in other official capacities. The family came to Sydney in 1897 for their son’s education. Sarah died at McMahons Point on 22 August 1916. James died on 6 November 1907 and is buried in row 9.

This plaque was set in place in the year 2002 by her family and the Palmerston North City Council.

James Linton (1839-1907). New Zealand Pioneer. On path 9, between AF & AG 1884-85.
Born at Dumfries, Scotland on 25.7.1839, James arrived at Queenstown, New Zealand about 1860 and spent 10 years on the goldfields. Having joined the special constabulary, he later helped organise defences against Maori attacks in Masterton where he married Sarah Anne Kibblewhite on 3.5.1869. Appointed as land agent, James with Sarah and infant daughter Jane, then made the arduous journey on horseback up the Wairarapa, through the Manawatu Gorge to the site selected for the new town of Palmerston North, arriving there in late 1870. For the next 27 years he served the town in many capacities. He was the second mayor 1879-82 and also Today a suburb, an army base and a street bear his name. James moved his family to Sydney in 1897.

He died at McMahons Point on 6.11.1907. He is buried here with his son Fred who died on 17.10.1903. Sarah died on 22.8.1916 and is buried in row 14.