Elizabeth Peryman

Biographical information provided by Lillie Le Dorré for the He Tohu exhibition:

Elizabeth Peryman (nee Saunders) was born 17 May 1825, at Lavington, Wiltshire, England. She married Henry William Peryman on 1 September 1853, in Adelaide, South Australia. The couple came to New Zealand in 1858, first settling in Nelson where they were engaged in the milling business for six years. In 1864, the couple purchased land at Tai Tapu, Canterbury, and began farming at Lavington Farm.

 By 1871, Elizabeth had given birth to seven children, two of whom died in infancy. A further child, son William Saunders Peryman, died aged 24 on 3 July 1883. His death was deeply mourned by Elizabeth and the Peryman family.

Elizabeth enjoyed competing in horticultural shows and exhibitions, winning first place for her roses, and second place for her display of cut flowers at the Prebbleton Horticultural Society’s summer show in 1883. Elizabeth ran many charity luncheons and events, and provided bouquets to the Christchurch Hospital.

The Peryman’s were deeply involved in their local community, with Henry serving on the Canterbury Board of Education, the Selwyn County Council, the Hospital Board, the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the South Waimakariri River Board, as the Director of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, and as the Director of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Insurance Company. The family were also connected with the Wesleyan Church; son Reverend Sylvanus Huxtable Peryman was a Wesleyan minister.

Elizabeth and Henry celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary in 1903, with celebrations held at Lavington Farm. Elizabeth died on 7 May 1906, aged 81 years; Henry died in 1910, also aged 81.

Elizabeth’s name appears twice on the petition; on sheet 206 and sheet 213. The signature of her daughter Ellen Anne and daughter-in-law Catherine Mary Peryman are also on sheet 206. 

Additional information supplied by the Methodist Church of New Zealand archives team:

Elizabeth Peryman nee Saunders (1825-1906). Mother of Wesleyan minister Rev Samuel Huxtable Dewsbury Peryman.  Involved with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Lived at Tai Tapu, Canterbury.