Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs E Petit was born Emma Adams in 1846, Salcombe, Devon, England to Thomas Adams and his wife Jane Sheriff. In 1864 Emma married William Petit in Plymouth, Devon, England.
At the time of the 1871 census Emma, William and daughter Emma age 5 were living in East Stonehouse, Devon, England. The family migrated to New Zealand and arrived in Waimate in 1873.
To raise funds to build the first cottage hospital, William rode on horseback around the district collecting donations from settlers and station holders. The hospital, a four roomed wooden building was erected in 1874.
On 30 October 1878 William and Emma Petit were appointed to the Warden and Matron positions at the Waimate Cottage Hospital. Their daughter Emma was first pupil/Nurse. William resigned from the Warden position in 1888.
A second daughter, Henrietta was born in New Zealand in 1880.
William Petit was elected a Councillor to the Waimate Borough Council from 1890 until 1899. The 1893 electoral roll records William with a freehold property, part rural section 997 and house.
In 1894 William was appointed a Justice of the Peace.
William Petit died on 13 October 1906, age 65 years, in Waimate and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Methodist section, Plot 000234.
Emma Petit died on 19 February 1918 age 71 years, in Waimate and is buried alongside her husband in the Waimate Old cemetery, Methodist section, Plot 000235.
Emma’s daughter, Mrs E Wilson also signed the Petition – Sheet 230
Sources
Ancestry 1871 England Census East Stonehouse, Devon, England
Timaru Herald 30 September 1878
Greenwood, William Te Waimatemate – History of Waimate County and Borough pg 196, 198 and 343
Press 7 September 1893, pg 3
South Canterbury Times 26 December 1894
Oamaru Mail 15 October 1906, pg 2
NZ DIA Death Index 1906/7091 William Petit
Waimate Daily Advertiser 7 March 1918, pg 2
NZ DIA Death Index 1918/978 Emma Petit
Waimate District Council online cemetery database