Hufnagel-Betham Family Collection
In December 1889 , Hufnagel , then aged 42 , married Catherine Anna Betham , aged 18 , the eldest of 10 children born in Samoa to Englishman Montgomery Betham and Portuguese-Samoan , Miss Anna de Silva . The new Mrs Hufnagel ( pictured above ) reportedly had maturity and poise beyond her years , as well as great beauty .
She brought a warm and friendly manner to the role of mistress of Vailele , qualities well suited to the requirements of a plantation which , together with the DH & PG Vaitele property , was popular as a weekend picnic ground for Apia ’ s settler community .
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