Emily Bartholomew was the wife of Peter Bartholomew, the pioneer sawmiller of Palmerston North, Feilding and Levin. Mr Bartholomew and his partner, Mr Manson, established the first sawmill in Palmerston North in 1871 and three years later, Mr Bartholomew erected Feilding's first mill. The Levin mill was opened in 1888. Mr and Mrs Bartholomew lived in Feilding until 1894, when they moved to Levin.