Biography contributed by Clare Cramond
Louisa Mary Reed was born around 1845 of Māori and Pakeha heritage and married James Whitfield (Whitefield) in 1864. James, described as a worthy settler and one of the old original identities of Wairoa, died in 1886 and there is reference to 'a wife and several children'.
In 1887, when she was around 42 years of age, Louisa married James Braithwaite. He had been a member of the Armed Constabulary. Louisa was registered on the 1893 Electoral Roll as married and living in Frasertown. Around this time, James gained several contracts from the Wairoa County Council for road construction in the area.
Louisa Mary Braithwaite was listed as the aunt and next-of-kin of Bernard Reed who served in the South African (Boer) War around the turn of the century. Louisa died in 1915 and was buried in the Wairoa Cemetery, her resting place marked by a large headstone. James died in 1927.
Sources
Frederick Reed’s death. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18760106.2.16 Colonist, Volume XVIII, Issue 2016, 6 January 1876, Page 3
Births Deaths and Marriages Online https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
James Whitfield’s death. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH18860402.2.6 Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4542, 2 April 1886, Page 2
Wairoa County Council-the first hundred years (1978) Wairoa County Council
Military Record https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C92546
James Braithwaite’s death https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19270924.2.153 Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16454, 24 September 1927, Page 16