Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Mary Justin Ellis was the eldest of three children born in Auckland in 1871, to Londoner Richard and Annie, nee Justin. Richard Ellis’ family arrived in NZ in 1865 aboard the Victory.
Mary Justin married in 1892 to Joseph William Scott. He was also Auckland-born, a 26-year-old carpenter, the son of Joseph and Janet Scott. Joseph and Mary Justin lived in O’Neill Street, Ponsonby, where Joseph was a carpenter, and had eight children:
- Dorothy (1893–1979)
- Richard Ellis (1894–1967)
- Annie Adelaide (1896–1941)
- Nina Marjorie Ellis (1898–1989)
- Henry Justin Ellis (1899–1941)
- Francis Keith (1903–1973)
- Jack Oliver (1906–1980)
- Joe (1913–1972)
Joseph William’s parents owned land in O’Neill Street, Ponsonby and they left parcels of land to their children when Janet died in 1902. Mary Justin died at their O’Neill Street home in 1934, aged 65 years. Less than two years later, her husband, Joseph William took his own life at the same address in 1936. Both were buried in the Symonds Street Cemetery.
Joseph’s will left his dwelling house for the use of son Henry and any sons that 'are bachelors, with free living accommodation (but not food)… 25 O’Neill Street Ponsonby, as long as they pay rates and insurance, then to be divided equally between the children still living. The estate being worth 2 870 pounds.'
Sources
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 359, 5 January 1865, Page 3
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21858, 21 July 1934, Page 1
PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22336, 6 February 1936, Page 10
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