Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Emma Tidman was born Emma Hewitt in 1833 to James Hewitt and his wife Mary Pitcher. Emma was baptised on 30 June 1833 in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, England.
Emma married on 17 September 1853 Henry Tidman at All Saints. Leamington, Warwickshire, England. Henry was a Painter. At the time of their marriage Emma was living at 13 Tachbrook Street and Henry at 3 Gloucester Street.
At the time of the 1861 census the [Tidmass] family was living at 5 Rosefield Terrace, Leamington and in 1871 in St Johns Road, Leamington, England.
Emma, Henry and eight children came to New Zealand around 1874.
A further child was born in New Zealand.
At the time of signing the 1892 and 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition, Emma was living in Hall Street, Newtown, Wellington.
On 14 October 1893 Henry Tidman, Painter, age 60 died in Wellington and is buried in the Karori Cemetery, C of E 1, Plot 253.
In May 1901 the Old Age Pension was granted to Emma Tidman, age 67, 27 years in the Colony, of pounds eight.
In 1902 'the Old Age Pension of pounds 8, which was based on a valuation of pounds 380 for a mortgaged property. Since the pension had been granted the mortgage had been reduced by her relatives; consequently, the property had a higher net value. The pension was reduced to pounds 7'.
Emma Tidman died on 29 May 1910 in Wellington and is buried with her husband in the same plot in Karori Cemetery.
Sources
Evening Post 16 October 1893, page 2 Deaths
NZ DIA Death Index 1893/4216 Henry Tidman
The Collections, Archives NZ Will/Probate Henry Tidman R22208135
New Zealand Mail 6 June 1901 page 42 General News
New Zealand Times 5 May 1902, page 4
Evening Post 30 May 1910 page 8 Funeral Notice
NZ DIA Death Index 1910/3272 Emma Tidman