Biography contributed by Leanna Menchi.
Emma Millen, nee Logan, was born in Auckland in 1862, daughter of Edward and Susan Logan, nee Fuller. Emma had two younger sisters, Angelene and Mary Ann. On various certificates, Edward describes himself as a settler and a carpenter.
Emma married Robert Millen in January 1883 and their eleven children were: Sarah, Elsie, Percy, Linda, Edith, Henry 'Jack', Kathleen, Annie, Vera, Benjamin 'Archie' and Norman. Their son Jack, was wounded in Egypt in the First World War while serving with the Auckland Mounted Rifles.
Emma’s husband was an emigrant labourer/ blacksmith from Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, who came to New Zealand with his parents and siblings in 1873. It is reputed that after they married Emma taught Robert to read and write. Robert became a farmer in Pakuranga and bred and raced trotters.
In 1887 at the Auckland Dragoon Sports, Emma drove her husband’s horse 'Tupaki' and won the Ladies Bracelet Race. This was the first time ladies rode in a race in Auckland. Good on her for taking part in things other than raising children.
Emma died in Auckland on 29 January 1927.
Emma Millen (middle row second from right) with her husband and children.
Back Row: Edith, Henry 'Jack' , Elsie, Kathleen and Linda
Middle row: Benjamin 'Archie', Robert 'Percy' , Robert (Emma’s husband), Norman, Emma and Susan 'Lennie'
Front row: Annie 'Iza', and Vera 'Muriel'.
Photo from family collection.
Sources
N.Z. Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
From: “The Auckland Star” and “The New Zealand Herald”
The New Zealand Society of Genealogists.
Family papers
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
Community contributions