Biography contributed by Rosalie-Ann Nicholson
Electoral Roll No. 1904 | Surname : MELLSOP |
Given names : Emma Lascelles | Given Address : Mangere |
Given Occupation : Household duties | Qualification : residential |
Emma Lascelles Mellsop (nee Wily) was born on 14 April 1857 in Cardiff, Wales, to Henry William and Emma Elizabeth Wily Vivian (nee Jenner), arriving in NZ in 1868, and going shortly after their arrival to Mauku.
Emma was the eldest of six children from Henry’s second marriage.
Emma trained as a school teacher, becoming Head Teacher of Glenbrook School, then known as Brookside, 1879-1880. Her future husband, James, had taken up carpentry on leaving school, continuing until – under the persuasion of Emma (who saw school teaching as a rewarding occupation) – he was encouraged to become a teacher. He was to teach at Brookside (Glenbrook). Emma Wily and James Mellsop married on 1 January 1881. They stayed at Glenbrook till the beginning of 1884 when James was appointed Head Teacher at Mangere School, Mangere. Emma and James were to stay at Mangere School for the rest of their teaching careers.
Emma and James had five children, including Henry Arthur John Mellsop born at Mauku, who lived just a month in 1883, and is buried in the churchyard of St Brides, Mauku. The other four were born while the Mellsops were at School House, Mangere. Emma was to lose her first daughter in 1885, while Winifred Lascelles Jenner was born in 1886, Geoffrey Henry Jenner in 1888, and Dorothy Speedy Jenner in 1891.
On Sunday evening, 8 April 1900, James Mellsop had an apoplectic stroke, ending sixteen years as Head Teacher of Mangere Central School. He was buried in Mangere Cemetery. Emma became Head Teacher and retired about 1906, moving to Vauxhall Rd, Devonport with her daughter, Winifred. Emma died in 1931, buried in Takapuna Cemetery. There are no living descendants of this union as the only grandson, Sergeant Geoffrey James David Mellsop, who can trace his ancestors back to King Henry III (1216-1272) and Eleanor of Provence, was killed in action on 24 April 1941 and is buried in the Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece.
Emma Mellsop (nee Wily) 1857-1931
Sources
Glenbrook Centennial Book
Mellsop Family book
Pedigree of Descent
Mangere Central School Jubilee 1859-1939
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