Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Susan Jane Viall born in 1849 on Kawau Island in the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. She was one of six children of a Cornish couple, Samuel and Susan Viall. Samuel was a miner, who moved his family to mines on Kawau Island, to Auckland, Huntly then Thames.
In 1866 Susan married William John Rountree and they had no children. William was eight years older and born in County Armagh, Ireland. Between 1870 and 1873 they lived in Thames. In 1893 they were in Grey Lynn, Auckland where William was a grocer.
Next, the couple moved to Wellington, where William resided at the Wellington Hospital and worked as a hospital clerk or steward. Susan lived in Constable Street nearby. In 1906 William died from pneumonia resulting from the self-inflicted wound after he cut his throat. It was reported that he was married and lately has been very depressed. He was buried in the Karori Cemetery, Wellington. He made a will in 1900 leaving land and 250 pounds and the piano to wife Susan, his watch to his nephew in Melbourne, violin to a niece, the rest of his money and insurance policy to his brother in Scotland, and a share to children of deceased sisters. Unfortunately, when he died, William’s estate was worth 100 pounds.
Susan moved back to Auckland and lived in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn. Her only occupation listed was widow. She died after a short illness at Auckland Infirmary. Her short obituary included, 'Mrs. Rountree was one of the foundation members of the Methodist Church in High Street (the building now occupied by the Deeds Office) and afterwards went with the congregation when it was transferred to Pitt Street.'
She was buried in Hillsborough Cemetery and has a headstone, 'In loving memory of SUSAN JANE ROWNTREE Died 10th Feb 1932 Aged 83. At rest.'
Sources
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1932, Page 1
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 36, 12 February 1932, Page 5
NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com)
Death certificate 6 Apr 1906 William John Rountree (sighted)
Death certificate 10 Feb 1932 Susan Jane Rountree (sighted)
Archway probate