Anna Maria (Maria) Williams

Anna Maria Williams, known as Maria, was born at Waimate mission station, near Paihia, Northland, New Zealand, on 25 February 1839, the daughter of Jane Nelson and her husband, William Williams, Church Missionary Society missionaries. Maria was the sixth child in a family of nine. In 1860 and 1861 Maria suffered from influenza and then typhoid fever which left her an invalid with a spinal deformity. She was sent to relatives in Auckland to see what could be done to help her. The treatment she received included applications of a hot iron, which, however, had little beneficial effect. She had to endure the journey back and forth to Auckland by ship, having been hoisted aboard on a plank. William Williams had a deep interest in the establishment of Te Aute College for Maori boys; Maria's considerable organising ability, her knowledge of the Maori language and her strong spiritual faith encouraged him to found in 1875 what was first known as the Bishop's School and later as Hukarere Native Girls' School, at Napier. As superintendent, Maria Williams, known as 'Miss Maria', kept the accounts, dealt with the correspondence, supervised matrons and teachers and taught English and the Scriptures. She was aided by her two unmarried sisters, Lydia Catherine ('Miss Kate') and Marianne ('Miss Mary Anne'). Maria Williams died in Napier on 5 May 1929, aged 90 years. Full biography at this link: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2w20/williams-anna-maria