Biography contributed by Joyce Hislop
Ellen (known as Nellie) Godfrey was born on 25 July 1870 in Papanui, Christchurch the tenth child of Harry William and Anne (nee Rapley) Godfrey.
Harry was a cabinet-maker but after coming to New Zealand in 1851 worked as a builder setting up in business in Papanui. His son Harry Hearnden Godfrey moved to Pahiatua in 1886 setting up a building business.
In 1891 Harry William moved to Pahiatua where he joined Harry Hearnden in his building business. Anne and the younger children, Nellie being one of them, also moved north to Pahiatua.
Nellie was a school teacher living at home with her parents. She died at home from consumption (according to family data) on 22 May 1895 aged 24 years. In the local newspaper it was written that Nellie 'was for a considerable time mistress of Mangatainoka Public School, where she was beloved by teachers and scholars alike for her kindly and thoughtful disposition.'
Nellie is buried in the Mangatainoka Pahiatua Cemetery along with her parents.
Sources
BDMs
Papers Past
Cyclopedia of NZ
Cemetery Records
NB: Anne Godfrey, Nellie’s mother is Lavinia Rapley (Page 503), Kezia Rapley (Page 217) and Sarah Rapley (Page185) sister-in-law.
