Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Margaret Ellen Blackwell’s parents were George and Elizabeth, an Irish couple who immigrated to Auckland 1864. Margaret was their first child born in Auckland in 1866. They took up a land grant on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
In 1897 Margaret Ellen married Thomas William Edlington. Thomas William was born in 1871 in Auckland to Alfred Jane Edlington and Jane nee Cousins. Alfred was a miner, and their family grew up on Great Barrier Island also.
Thomas and Margaret had one child, Arthur Thomas (1903–1947) born on Great Barrier Island. Thomas was a scow master round the Auckland coast for many years as well as keeping a farm on the Island. Captain Thomas Edlington, aged 65, at his residence in Ponsonby. Lately he had been employed as a temporary second mate on the Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Claymore, to Whangarei. He had farmed for many years at the Great Barrier Island, and 'during his residence there was a well-known figure in the community'. He was buried in Waikaraka Cemetery. In his will he left everything, worth 500 pounds to his wife, and if she predeceased him, then to Ronald Thomas, son of their son Arthur.
Son Arthur died in 1947 leaving a widow and children who moved in with Margaret at her Ponsonby home. She died in 1955 aged 88 and was buried with Thomas in Waikaraka Cemetery. Her will was made after Thomas died and she had left all her estate worth 1400 pounds to him and his children once they reached 21 years.
Margaret is the daughter of #380 Elizabeth Blackwell, daughter-in-law of #380 Jane Edlington and sister-in-law of #380 Mrs S Blackwell
Sources
Aotea Great Barrier Island historic heritage survey
PAPERS PAST Northern Advocate, 22 July 1938, Page 4