Ethelred Taylor

Biography contributed by Sylvia E. Robertson

Ethelred Rosa Annie Taylor was born on 1 December 1870 in Putiki, Wanganui, Rangitikei, New Zealand. Her parents were Basil Kirke Taylor and Edith Palmer Tylee. [1]

In 1893 Ethelred, known as Ethel, signed the 1893 Women's Suffrage Petition. In the 1893, 1896 and 1900 Electoral Rolls she was living at 9 Campbell St, Wanganui, as a 'Governess' with other family. In 1911 she was listed at the same address as a spinster. [2]

She never married. Ethel was a trained physiotherapist and operated her practice from a front room at 'Cossington', 9 Campbell St, where she lived. [3]

Ethel was a buxom, jolly woman with a great sense of humour. She was always teasing, and called her youngest brother, Basil, 'Skim', a nickname she had given him because as a little boy he was obliged to have skim rather than whole milk! [4]

She once put cotton wool in her mouth to disguise her voice and padded her clothes, and rang her brother Herbert, saying she had violent toothache and could he see her straight away. Apparently Herbert didn't recognise her until she was in the dentist's chair and, being the serious man he was, was not at all amused! [5]

She died in Wanganui on 23 August 1930, and is buried at Heads Rd Cemetery, Wanganui, in the Taylor plot:

In Loving Memory of Ethelred R. A. TAYLOR, daughter of Rev. Basil Kirke and Edith Palmer TAYLOR. 

Called to her rest 23rd August 1930. 'There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God'.

Sources

[1] Family information; birthday book

[2] Electoral rolls

[3-5] Family information

Image

Ethelred Taylor (Sylvia E. Robertson)