Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Elizabeth Williams was born about 1838 in the townland of Modreeny, County Tipperary in Ireland, a daughter of James and Ellen nee Ralph. She was married 11 June 1863, at the same place to George Blackwell. George Blackwell, was born 1834 son of Thomas and Eleanor, also in Modreeny, County Tipperary.
George Blackwell and his wife Elizabeth came to Auckland from Ireland arriving on the Victory in January 1864. They were accompanied by Elizabeth’s brother James Williams. Their first daughter, Elizabeth Ellen born in 1864 in Tipperary and died on the voyage to New Zealand.
After arriving in Auckland, they had two more children.
- Thomas (1865–1940)
- Margaret Ellen (1866–1955)
After working in Auckland, at first as a wheelwright (for which George was trained) and then for the army during the land wars, making horseshoes and shoeing horses, George and his family took up an 80-acre grant on Great Barrier Island. They shared this grant with Elizabeth’s brother, James.
- James (1868–1954)
- Maria Susan (1870–1911)
- Rebecca Jane (1872–1954)
- Annie (1874–1946)
- George Adam (1876–1968)
- Charlotte Elizabeth (1877–1902)
- William John (1879–1955)
- Harriet (1881–1963)
- Jonathan Ralph (1884–1941)
They saved money and bought land at Pa Beach in Tryphena in 1870 where the family finally settled. Nine more children were born after they settled there. Living on the Barrier was almost in entire isolation. Once every three months a cutter would come from Auckland bringing food and news. Their daughter Charlotte died in 1902, aged 24, of gastritis, leaving three young children.
In 1911 Elizabeth died aged 73 at Tryphena, and was buried at the Tryphena Cemetery. After her death, George moved to Ponsonby and lived with his daughter Jane. Attracted always by a love of the sea Mr. Blackwell, after coming to Auckland to live, spent his happiest days on the waterfront talking to old seafaring men and admiring the ships in port. George died in 1932 in Ponsonby, in his 98th year. His obituary stated, 'The vigour which he displayed at an advanced age was remarkable, chopping wood for the fire and digging in the garden being a regular occupation of his. Frequently he took long walks unaided.' He was taken to the Great Barrier Island and buried with his wife in Tryphena Cemetery.
Elizabeth is the mother of #380 M E Blackwell and mother-in-law of #380 Mrs S Blackwell
Sources
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21106, 13 February 1932, Page 1
PAPERS PAST Northern Advocate, 13 February 1932, Page 6
PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 211, 5 September 1902, Page 8