| The person to whom I owe my first interest and final completion of this work was Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Sr. (ne Jean Robertson McKellar), fifth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Harkness McKellar. Mrs. Spence first introduced me to Maud's chapters and to many other family records on my first visit to her home in Palestine, Texas, in 1977. |
| Because of illness, the chapters were set aside for several years, but in 1988, having recovered my energy and enthusiasm, I began to formulate a plan to publish the chapters. When informed of my plan, descendants of Mr. and Mrs. McKellarthird and fourth generationcame to my aid with numerous papers, records, tapes, photographs, and interviews. |
| To the following, I wish to extend many thanks for their cooperation and encouragement: |
| Mrs. Pascal de Bono (ne Dorothy Spence, daughter of Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Sr.) |
| Mrs. Jean Spence Koch (ne Jean Spence, daughter of Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Sr.) |
| Mrs. George H. More (ne Vida Black, daughter of Ernest F Black and Florence Jane Catherine, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McKellar) |
| Mrs. Charles Sellers (nee Elizabeth "Chabela" Spence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Jr.) |
| Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Jr. (ne Elizabeth Fennell) |
| Mr. Robert Spence, Jr., son of Mrs. Robert M. Spence, Sr. |
| Tapanui Courier, Tapanui, Otago, New Zealand |
| The following paragraph appeared as an introduction to Maud's chapters in the Tapanui Courier on Wednesday, 30 November 1898. The David Harkness McKellar family had lately lived at Brooksdale, near Tapanui, and were well known in the area. Their departure to Mexico was an event of great concern and interest to their friends both in Tapanui, Otago, New Zealand, and in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, home of Mrs. David Harkness McKellar. |
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