Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs Louisa Knight was born Louisa Lack in June Q 1864 in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, England to Joseph Lack and Elizabeth Lack nee Lowe.
Joseph Lack, his wife Elizabeth and children; Edward, Thomas, Louisa, Ann and Joseph came to Canterbury, New Zealand on the ship “Lady Jocelyn” which sailed from England on 3 November 1874 and arrived in Lyttleton on 21 November 1875.
On 14 November 1881 Louisa Lack married Isaac Knight at the home of her father Joseph Lack, Waimate, South Canterbury.
Louisa and Isaac Knight had ten children, Joseph Maurice Knight b 1883; Edward John Knight b 1885; Charles Isaac Knight b 1886; Sarah Louisa Knight b 1889; Harriot Elizabeth Knight b 1891; Bertha Emily Knight b 1894; Rose Esther Knight b 1896; Arthur William Knight b 1899; George Ernest Knight b 1902 and Percy Eric Knight b 1905.
At the sign that Louisa signed the Women’s Suffrage Petition in 1893 the family was living in Waimate. However, by 1900 they had moved to the North Island.
Isaac died on 26 January1933 age 81 years and is buried in an unmarked grave in Karori cemetery, Wellington, Church of England 2/G/953.
Louisa died on 17 May 1935 age 72 years and is buried in the Opotiki cemetery, Section F-L, Plot 31K which is unmarked.
Louisa’s mother Mrs Joseph Lack X signed the Petition on Sheet 233.
Sources:
Freebmd.org.uk – Lack, Louisa, June Q 1864, Ampthill, Vol 3b, Page 380
"New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSB1-JJC : 9 March 2021), Joseph Lack, 21 Jan 1875; citing ship , Archives New Zealand, Wellington; FHL microfilm 004412438.
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1881/2799 Isaac Knight/Louisa Lack
Findagrave Isaac Knight and Louisa Knight
WCC cemetery database online - https://wellington.discovereverafter.com/profile/28252672
NZ DIA Death Index 1933/1507 – Isaac Knight
NZ DIA Death Index 1935/15911 – Louisa Knight