Contributed by her great granddaughter-in-law, Helen M. Laney
Bridget Agnes Ross, née McCarthy, was born on the 4 February 1864 at Ringville, Waterford, Ireland.
Her parents were Bridget, née Fitzgerald, and Owen (Eugene) McCarthy.
On the 30 December 1883 Bridget arrived at Port Chalmers after immigrating to New Zealand on the Trevelyan. According to several newspapers of the day all assisted immigrants on board got work in Otago.
On the 23 May 1886 Bridget Agnes McCarthy married John Ross, son of Jessie Ross, née McLellan, and Alexander Ross, in the Registrar’s Office in Timaru. She was a Roman Catholic and John was a Presbyterian.
Bridget and John lived in Teaneraki (aka Enfield) near Oamaru. Their ten children were all born there: Agnes Bridget (1886-1973), Mary Jane (1888-1963), Honora Frances (Nora) (1891-1977), John (Jock) (1892-1946), Owen Mccarthy Villars (1894-1896), Eileen Constance (Eilee) (1897-1976), Jessie Esther (1897-1974), Florence Irene (Rene) (1903-1987) and Alexander (1907-1969).
The Oamaru Mail, 4 June 1894, had the following paragraph - The following lands were disposed of at the Crown Lands Office, Dunedin, during the week : Sections 9s and 10s, block X, 20 acres, Oamaru, (Teaneraki small farm settlements)—Bridget A. Ross, on lease in perpetuity, at an annual rental of 16s 8d per acre. The lease ended after her death.
Bridget was also a midwife in the Enfield/Teaneraki area and when the 1904 Midwives Act was brought in, Bridget became a registered midwife. Her name was on the Registration Lists published in the New Zealand Gazette until 1922. Over the years she helped bring many babies into the world, including four of her Laney grandchildren (my late father-in-law and three of his siblings).
On the 23 May 1936 Bridget and John celebrated their Golden Wedding at Enfield with a large family gathering.
Bridget died on 16 October 1938. She is buried in Oamaru Old Cemetery. Her obituary in the Oamaru Mail mentioned that she was of a happy and hospitable disposition and would be greatly missed by a large circle of friends.
The signature of Bridget’s mother-in-law, Jessie Ross is also on Sheet 296.
References
Birth, marriage & death certificates
Obituary Mrs John Ross, Oamaru Mail
Waitaki District Council Cemetery records
Oamaru Mail & North Otago Times
North Otago Maternity Homes & Midwives by Helen M. Laney 2005
Karen Ross MacLeod, a great granddaughter
Image
Golden Wedding of Bridget Agnes, née McCarthy, and John Ross, 23 May 1936
Back Row: Alexander, Jessie, Florence Irene (Rene), Eileen (Eilee), John (Jock)
Front row: Johanna (Jo), Agnes Bridget, Bridget Agnes & John, Mary Jane (Polly), Honora Frances (Nora)