Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Sarah Ely was born Sarah Webb circa 1841 to Richard Webb and Mary Langly in Minety, Wiltshire, England.
On 17 November 1866 Sarah married William Ely in the Parish Church, Brinkworth, Wiltshire, England. She signed X her mark.
Sarah, William and daughter Mary A left England on 3 November 1874 on the Lady Jocelyn and arrived in Canterbury 21 January 1875. William’s occupation was Shepherd.
The family settled in Pareora district not far from the port of Timaru. By 1880 they were living in Waimate.
The 1880–81 electoral roll records William Ely, Waimate, Labourer, 1 acre 4 roomed house.
Sarah Ely also signed the 1892 Women’s Suffrage Petition, Sheet 220.
In 1911 the family were living in Allan Street, Waimate.
Sarah died in 1918 age 78 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Plot 175.
In 1920 Wiliam Ely remarried to Florence Ann Sandland.
Wiliam was a member of the Court Foresters Pride, No 6073, Waimate.
William Ely died on 28 February 1923 and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Plot 174.
Sources
Ancestry Public Family Trees
1871 England Census Chipping Norton, ED 11, Household Schedule 13, Piece 1456, Folio 40, pg 3
Familysearch Passenger Lists 1839–1974, Record No 307
Auckland Star 21 January 1875, pg 3
Waimate Daily Advertiser 15 June 1918, pg 2 – Death
NZ DIA Death Index 1918/16669 – Sarah Ely
Findagrave Waimate Old cemetery – Sarah Ely
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1920/5398 William Ely/Florence Ann Sandland
Findagrave Waimate Old cemetery – William Ely
Waimate Daily Advertiser 28 February 1923, pg 4 – Funeral Notice William Ely
Archives NZ, The Collections – William Ely Probate R21846001
Ancestry – New Zealand Electoral Rolls