Mary Ann was born on 9 Mar 1818 in Eastry, Kent, England and baptised on 29 Mar 1818 to single mother Margaret Dunn. It clearly notes that Margaret resided in Eastry at that time. No father's name was given.

Mary married John Barnes on 1 Aug 1835 at St Mary's, Walmer, Kent, England. Married by I B Blackhouse Rector of Deal. Witnesses were William Brunger (John's half brother) and Israel Coleman.

Children -
Samuel Barnes 1836–1896
Elizabeth "Betsey" Barnes 1837–1905
Mary Ann Barnes 1838–1839
Mary Barnes 1840–1841
John Barnes 1841–1841

1841 England Census -
Mary Barnes age 25 resided near North Barracks, Walmer, Kent
Samuel age 5
Elizabeth age 4
Mary age 14 months
John age 13 days
A note - husband gone to New Zealand.

This census clearly shows how close in proximity the households were in relation to Mary Ann in Lower Walmer -
Her mother Margaret Tapp (formerly Castle/née Dunn), resided around the corner in Tapps Hole, the sunken area along North Barrack Road and behind Rope Walk.
Mary Ann's mother-in-law Mary Bronger age 65, a widow and now a pauper with son William, a labourer resided near the North Barracks.
Also near the North Barracks were Harriot Wood, age 30 and a hawker. Her children Harriot age 11, Amelia age 13, Martha age 4, and Mary age 15 resided with their grandmother Ann Coffee, age 70 and also a hawker. Harriot was indicted for bigamy for marrying John Barnes in 1845.
Rebecca Redman age 7 and her family resided in Rope Walk. She married John Barnes in 1867.

Mary Ann emigrated to New Zealand on 11 Sep 1841 from London, England
The Lloyds vessel brought out the wives and children of the men who had gone ahead on the expeditionary ships. This journey turned out to be horrific, with the loss of 67 children under the age of 14 due to an outbreak of whooping cough.
She arrived in Nelson, New Zealand on 9 Feb 1842 with her two surviving children Samuel & Elizabeth, having lost her two youngest on the voyage, only to discover that her husband John Barnes had returned to England on the "Arrow" via China.

Mary Barnes and John Atwood's marriage was registered, dated and signed by the officiant on 26 Sep 1862.
John Atwood, bachelor and farmer, age 57 years
Mary Barnes, widow and age 42 years
Both 4 years length of residence and dwelling at Sandhill Cottage, Wairau
Married at Sandhill Cottage, Wairau.

Multiple maiden names given for Mary Ann indicate the lack of knowledge of the informants. Mary's eldest son to John Barnes, Samuel's death certificate cites that her maiden name was May.
Mary's eldest daughter to John Atwood, Emily's death certificate cites that her mother's maiden name was Cazstic (spelling error?)
The family tree of Mary and John Atwood's daughter, Ellen Atwood who married Thomas Gledhill is available at the Blenheim library and cites that Mary Dunn' s maiden name was Lasbe.

Formerly Barnes - m. John Barnes in 1835

Additional child mentioned in the will of John Atwood - Emma Adams wife of John Adams (believed to refer to Emily)