Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Kate Thirza Peyman was born in 1870 in Kent, England – the daughter of Frederick Peyman, a licenced victualler, and Sarah Beacon.
Kate’s uncle and brother had emigrated to New Zealand & were living at Coal Creek, near Greymouth. She joined them in 1889 arriving on the Aorangi and she signed the suffrage petition at Coal Creek.
Kate taught at the Cobden Sunday School until her marriage in 1897 after which they moved to the Methven district. She married William James Dickie, a farmer, and they had seven children.
In 1911 James ran for parliament and was successful until his electorate was disestablished in 1919 and he was defeated.
In 1921 William committed suicide on their farm – he had been in poor health and was worried about his finances.
Kate died at her home on 18 January 1939 – she is buried with William in the Methven Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
GRO England https://www.gro.gov.uk
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/