Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Edith Chisholm was born Edith Susan Tonks in 1862 in New Zealand to Enoch Tonks and his wife Susannah Ann Saunders Spencer. She was the third of thirteen children and their eldest daughter.
On 3 February 1886 Edith married John Arthur Daniel Chisholm in the Wesley church, Wellington. John was a Watchmaker. They had four children.
In April 1891 Mrs J A Chisholm advertised for a General Servant – apply Thompson Street.
The electoral rolls for 1893 and 1896 record Edith living in Nairn Street, and John in Thompson Street, Wellington. In 1899 they are both living at 10 Thompson Street, Wellington. Around 1902 they moved to Cambria Street, Nelson. They returned to Wellington in October 1905 to 19 Thompson Street.
Edith died on 12 August 1910 age 47 and is buried in the Karori cemetery, Wellington, Public 2 Plot 1379.
Her obituary stated: 'Mrs Chisholm was noted for her many good works, especially in connection with the Y.M.C.A. and was a member of St John’s church'.
Following Edith’s death John married twice more; in 1912 to Edith Eliza Lumsden nee Lorimer and in 1930 to Laura Matthews.
John died on 1 January 1943 in Christchurch age 81 and is buried in the Addington cemetery Plot 1147C.
Edith’s Mother, Susan Tonks also signed the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition Sheet 421.
Sources
NZ DIA Birth Index 1862/14519 Edith Susan Tonks
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1886/445 Edith Susan Tonks/John Arthur Daniel Chisholm
Evening Post 13 April 1891, page 3
Nelson Evening Mail 26 October 1905, page 2
NZ DIA Death Index 1910/5209 Edith Susan Chisholm
Dominion 16 August 1910, page11
Findagrave Karori cemetery, Wellington
Ancestry – New Zealand Electoral Rolls and Public Family Trees
NZ DIA Death Index 1943/19054 John Arthur Daniel Chisholm
Findagrave Addington cemetery,