Margaret MOFFETT (~1848 - 1888)

My first introduction to Margaret was through correspondence with her grand-daughter, Joyce JAMES, many years ago. The information given was that maiden name was REFRAIN, that she married James MOFFET, a farmer who died about 1874, and that she was the mother of 3 children; Henry- born about 1866. Frances- born about 1867, and Alice- born about1874. Joyce was the daughter of Margaret's youngest daughter Alice.

She also sent me this early type photocopy of a portrait.

Further research lead me to Margaret's death certificate and burial record. According to information on her death certificate she was born in Scotland about 1849,  her family name was DEAN, she emigrated to New Zealand about 1864, married James MOFFET at age 16 in Invercargill, New Zealand, had 3 living children at the time of her death, and died of uterine cancer on 15 November 1888 aged only 39 years, relict of the late James MOFFET. 

Despite much research in the Dunedin and  Invercargill areas I have not been able to locate a  marriage registration or any other documentation that confirms Margaret was married, when, or to whom. Correspondence with The Hocken Library, Dunedin also confirms there are no recordings of a marriage for Margaret and James or John Moffet (and all varied spellings) in Anglican, Catholic or Presbyterian indexes for Otago and Southland.

I have been unable to locate the birth registrations of the three children indicated on her death certificate, however, I did happen across the birth and death registrations of a previously unknown baby girl.  https://corrinne-kiwicolleen.blogspot.com/2018/12/baby-girl-moffatt-june-19-july-02-1871.html 
John MOFFATT is named as the father and Margaret nee RAFFEIN/RAFFEEN the mother. This is phonetically very close to the original name given to me.

Upon examination of Margaret's daughters' marriage registrations records:
John MOFFAT is named as the father  and Margaret RHYDANE the mother of Frances,
James MOFFET is named as the father and Margaret REFRAIN as mother of Alice.

Oral history says that Henry was a sailor and died as a young man, probably overseas, consequently no further records have been found for him.

The only other record I have been able to find is Stones Otago/Southland Street Directory 1886,  for  Mrs. Margaret MOFFETT, charwoman, York Place, Dunedin which indicates she was probably a widow at that point.

Margaret's early demise is marked by A death notice is published in the Evening Star on 15 November 1888 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18881115.2.7

and an entry in The Northern Cemetery Burial Register Vol 2 

This plot was purchased by her son-in-law Henry GREENFIELD (husband of Margaret's daughter Frances), and she shares it with her son-in-laws sister Evelyn, (daughter of John and Mary Jane GREENFIELD), and Evelyn's cousin Jane, (daughter of Joseph and Augusta GREENFIELD).

Margaret is an enigma... such a short life but full of riddles.

What was her maiden name? Dean? Refrain? Reffeen/Reffein? Rhydane?

Was she married? When? Where? and to whom?
Was her husband John? James? Moffett? Moffet? Moffatt? Moffat?
|How old was she when she emigrated to New Zealand? 15? 16? 
What were her parents names?
Why did she emigrate to New Zealand?

What region did she come from in Scotland?