Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Ellen Watson was born about 1855 in County Down, Ireland.
She emigrated to New Zealand where she married, farmer, Joseph Wright in 1880.
They had 12 children and when Ellen signed the suffrage petition they were living at Croydon Siding, near Gore.
Ellen and Joseph ran the Sabbath School at Croydon Siding and during the prize giving in 1904 they were praised for their good work 'at a sacrifice of their time'.
In 1908 they sold their farm and, in 1914, they held a clearing sale before moving into Gore.
The next year 'a surprise party, comprising representatives of practically every farmhouse on the Croydon Siding Road, paid a visit' to their home. A spokesman said they 'had endeared themselves to their neighbours and friends....The residents desired to show their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Wright in some tangible form. To Mrs Wright especially he (the speaker) believed that every home at the Siding was indebted for her many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. Wherever there was sickness of any kind Mrs Wright’s services were at command, and no one was more welcome in her neighbour’s homes. For many years the Sunday School at the Siding was conducted by Mr and Mrs Wright, and they were also leaders of the Band of Hope'.
They were presented with a silver tea and coffee service, after which 'a pleasant hour was subsequently spent in speech, song and reminiscence, after which supper was served.'
In later years they moved to Temuka where Joseph died in 1935 and Ellen died at her daughter’s home on 7 October 1942 – they are buried together in the Temuka Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/