Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs Finn was born Susannah Hills on 19 November 1836, St Peters Kent, England to Joseph Hills, Butcher and his wife Sarah Busbridge.
Susannah married Walter Foster Finn on 12 October 1857 in St Georges Church, Hanover Square, London, England.
Susannah and Walter and four children arrived in Lyttelton in January 1864 on the Tiptree, along with her sister-in-law Ellen Rosina Fright nee Finn and William Fright.
After their arrival in New Zealand they settled in Heathcote, Christchurch. The 1875-76 electoral roll records Walter Finn, Part Rural Section 32, Ferry Road South.
By 1880-1881 they had moved to Waimate and remained there for the remainder of their lives.
Susannah and Walter had a further nine children in New Zealand.
Walter F Finn was the Waimate Town Clerk from November 1879 until he resigned in February 1880.
In the early days Walter was a boundary rider at Mr Buckley’s station near Glenavy. This station later became the property of Mr Allan McLean. In November 1898 it was purchased by the Government and became known as Waikakahi estate.
Walter died on 19 April 1901, age 63 years in Waimate and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, Row 3, Plot 000179
Susannah died on 10 January 1920, age 83 years in Waimate and is buried alongside her husband in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, Row 3, Plot 000180.
Ellen Rosina Fright nee Finn, sister-in-law, also signed the Petition, Sheet 207.
Sources
Auckland Museum Collection, Object, Passenger Contract Ticket for W F Finn and family
Greenwood, William, Te Waimatemate – History of Waimate County and Borough, pg 87, 343
Ancestry – New Zealand Electoral Rolls
South Canterbury Times 22 April 1901 pg 2
NZ DIA Death Index 1901/1866 Walter Foster Finn
NZ DIA Death Index 1920/11249 Susannah Finn
Waimate District Council online cemetery database