Ruiha (Louisa) Calkin

NOTES

• Some sources have her birthdate as July 10 1847 and birthplace as Paihia* Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Aug 28 2020, 0:33:56 UTC

Louisa was born at either Otahuo, south of the Kerikeri Inlet where the ruins of the stone cottage built by John Edmonds (Louisa's grandfather) are now in the hands of the Historic Places Trust, or at Parawhenua Marae, Ohaeawai, where her mother Erana was born. She probably attended the missionary school at Waimate, and she spoke fluent Maori. In 1869, aged 22, Louisa married Samuel Richard Calkin (of English descent) at the Church of England, Paihia, Bay of Islands. The officiating minister was Edward Bloomfield Clarke. Their first child Pierre Hayward was born in 1870 at Otahuao, Mary Ellen was born in 1874 and Clemintina Louisa Lucilla in 1875.

Around 1875, with three children, Samuel and Louisa moved to Mangakahia where Samuel accepted a position at a native school. Adjoining living accommodation was provided for a married man and family. Percival Charles was born in 1876, and Constance Cordelia Henrietta in 1878. The following year 1879 Louisa was on the payroll as a sewing mistress - salary 20 pounds. Antaeus Busirus was born in 1880 and Alcyone Cassandra two years later in 1882. Many hardships were endured as conditions were primitive and cramped.

In 1883 the family transferred to Te Moari native school at Kaeo where Louisa continued to assist with teaching, and to interpret the language of the children. Two more daughters were born, Adelaide Ephigenia in 1886 and Madeline Beatrice Sylvesta in 1888. Sylvia, as she was know, died at age three. infectious diseases such as Typhoid were rife at the time.

Moving to Whangarei in 1889, the calkins took charge of the "Colonial" boarding house next to the old railway station. Family members all helped. Strong in body & will, generous and witty "Mama" (Louisa) toiled throughout the day cleaning, cooking, washing, gardening, sewing and tending the sick. No wonder she was first up in the morning, and last in bed at night. In 1893, Louisa and her daughter Clementina were both on the Marsden electoral roll, the first time women were able to vote.

Eight years on, Louisa's husband purchased a boarding house in Cameron Street, Whangarei, later to be known as the "Coffee Palace", and again Louisa was at the helm. There they both remained until Samuel died in 1909 and Louisa in 1920.