Louisa Gosnell

Biography contributed by Lynlee O'Keeffe

Louisa was born in Napier in 1843. Her father was probably Edward Buckman, a carpenter at Otane near Napier. Information is quite limited about her early life, however we do know she married Joseph Gosnell in 1861. Her husband, born 1829, had arrived in New Zealand with the British Army and elected to stay on after his posting was complete.  The couple had at least six children between 1863 and 1872, including daughter Florence Emily Gosnell who also signed the petition.

Louisa seemed to practice equality in her life so it is hardly surprising she believed in Suffrage. She was Head Mistress at Wairoa School by 1886 after passing her teaching examinations in 1881. Her husband was for a time Drill Master at the school and has also been mentioned as a teacher’s aide. Louisa must have been quite a personality as there were two different Court Cases where she had been assaulted by the parents of her students, August 1881 and August 1886. These both pointed to serious discipline within the schoolroom. She also taught piano to her senior students which was mentioned by the School Board as music was not an approved instruction. Although it was noted her students were quite proficient, she was required to limit these lessons to after school hours.

With such a forceful spirit coming through the historic records, she must have been quite indomitable in person and it is hard to imagine any option for, than to sign the petition.

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