Marianne Williams
| Marianne Williams née Coldham | |
|---|---|
| Born |
12 December 1793 Norwich, England |
| Died | 16 December 1879 Pakaraka, Bay of Islands, New Zealand |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Mata Wiremu (Mother Williams) |
| Occupation | Missionary and pioneering educator |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Williams |
Marianne Williams, together with her sister-in-law Jane Williams, was a pioneering educator in New Zealand. They established schools for Māori children and adults as well as educating the children of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The Māori women called her Mata Wiremu (Mother Williams).
Marianne Williams, née Marianne Coldham, was born in Norwich, England, 12 December 1793. Marianne was the oldest child of Wright and Anne Coldham. Wright Coldham and Thomas Williams (Marianne’s father-in-law) were hosiers in Nottingham, and both were Sheriffs. The family had moved to Nottingham from Norwich. Her father, Wright Coldham, was an active member of the Presbyterian High Pavement Chapel in Nottingham. Wright Coldham received recognition as a Burgess of Nottingham in 1796; as a Sheriff of Nottingham in 1798; and as the Mayor of Nottingham in 1809. In 1810 Anne Coldham died and at the age 16 Marianne took over raising her three sisters, Sarah, Maria and Anne, her blind grandmother Mrs Temple, the running of the mayoral household and acting as Lady Mayoress at civic events. In 1815 Wright Coldham died.
Marianne and Henry Williams were married on 20 January 1818 by Henry’s cousin and brother-in law, the Rev. Edward Marsh, a member of the Church Missionary Society.
Marianne and Henry shared a Christian faith and they joined the Church Missionary Society (CMS), with the decision eventually being made that Henry would become an ordained minister and CMS missionary in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. In a letter to the Committee of the CMS of 6 August 1822, Henry said of Marianne: "she does not accompany me merely as my wife, but as a fellow-helper in the work".
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