Emily Crabb

Biographical information provided by Lynette Buchanan for the He Tohu exhibition:

Emily Crabb was born in New Zealand, probably in the Rangitikei district, in the year 1870 to Elizabeth and Eli Crabb, who had emigrated from England to New Zealand in 1855 on the sailing ship Surge. Emily was one of 11 siblings, seven sisters and four brothers, at least eight were born in NZ. The family moved to Rangitikei about 1867. Emily was a younger sister of Mary Crabb also profiled in this collection of signatories.

Emily signed the 1893 Petition in Bulls and in 1897 married John Robertson. The couple lived in south Taranaki where 4 children were born.  Marjorie Nellie in 1898 at Hawera, Rita Bernardene in 1899 at Manaia, Archie in 1901 at Kaponga and Nancy Huia in 1903 also at Kaponga. The family’s address was 73 Niblett Street, Wanganui when Nancy was attending St John’s Infants School in 1911, Rita attending Wanganui Girls’ College in 1916 and Nancy in 1919.

Emily was widowed in 1944 when John died aged 76 Years. Emily died on 28 April 1970 at Dannevirke Hospital aged 99 years and was cremated at the Kelvin Grove Cemetery Palmerston North. John is buried there.