It seems logical that Matilda would be brought up by her mother’s people either in the Rangitikei or at Porirua where the name Hunia appears frequently but some descendants say she was brought up in the Robinson household and that she was an embarrassment to them and ran away to marry William Edwards. It is said that Captain Robinson did not approve of this marriage but he gave her a cow as a wedding gift - a generous gift for those days. The marriage took place at the residence of Rev. Joshua Smith, Sydney Street, Wellington on 3rd December 1861. Matilda’s age was given as nearly 18 but it seems likely that she was only 15. They lived at Pauatahanui and had three sons. However Matilda left Edwards and came to Foxton in 1875 as the wife of Oliver Somerville who set up a carrying business.
Later she lived in Woodville for many years and was well known for her nursing ability, a trait she is said to have inherited from her father, John Best.
The people of Woodville though so highly of her that in 1900 they gave her a Testimonial and a purse of sovereigns.
She died there on 25th March 1903 leaving 3 sons and 2 daughters.
TESTIMONIAL TO MRS. O SOMERVILLE.
Dear Mrs. Somerville,
A large number of your friends and other residents in the Woodville district have for years past noted, with intense Admiration your disinterested and large hearted charity and kindness in nursing and attending the sick and afflicted and in assisting to console and comfort those whose homes have been visited by the Dread Angel of Death.
We feel it to be a duty as well as a very great pleasure to now offer you some slight recognition of those Truly Christian Services and Benefactions to the people of this Town and District.
We therefore beg you now to accept this address and the accompanying purse of Sovereigns as a very slight token of the affection and esteem we bear towards you and as a somewhat tardy and altogether inadequate recognition of your long continued self-sacrificing services to the community.
We wish you every happiness and all the prosperity in the future and a long life in which to continue performing those acts of Mercy which have caused you to be beloved by all who come in contact with you.
On behalf of the people of Woodville
Joseph Motley, Mayor, Woodville Dec.1900
Ada C.J. Driscoll