Mr and Mrs James Petrie (née Ann Milne)

Ann and James Petrie were old identities of Otago who took a great deal of interest in public affairs. James was considered one of the most useful and trustworthy public figures of his time. They were both born in Scotland, James in 1829, and Ann around 1839, and they married there in 1858.  The following year they emigrated to Otago on the Alpine.  James had a pre-arranged job in Inch Clutha but they only stayed there long enough for John to complete his contractual obligations.   He then took over the management of ‘Gask Farm’, near Kaitangata. The couple settled there, and after an eight-year gap between their marriage and the birth of a first child, had two sons and one daughter.

The family remained at ‘Gask Farm’ until 1873, when they bought ‘Coalburn Farm’, situated between Stirling and Benhar.  They only lived there a few years, however, before selling the farm and moving to Stirling, where they settled permanently.  They were both active in the Stirling community.  James was a member of the Bruce County Council for 11 years, and served on the Clutha River Board and the Stirling School Committee. He was also one of the founders of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society in Stirling and became its President on a number of occasions.  By all accounts he was a level-headed man and honourable in all dealings.  Ann assisted him with many of his public positions and was herself highly interested in public affairs.  In late 1906 age began catching up with James and after six months of failing health, he died in May 1907, aged 78.  Ann remained at their Stirling home for a decade longer before dying in June 1918, aged 79.