NOTES on Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen was about 6 months old when her mother Louisa Jane Rolley
(nee Buckley) died. Her father sent her to live with his oldest sister,
Mary Bond (nee Rolley) Raynes after the burial.
Mary Raynes lived in Primrose Cottage Upper Wood Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
with her husband Joseph and daughter Harriett. This is where she stayed
until the age of 39. It is said that Mary Ellen's two brothers never
forgave their father Samuel for this decision.
At the age of 16 in 1881 Mary Ellen was employed as a cotton spinner at
Matlock in Derbyshire and was still living in Primrose Cottage. But she
kept in close contact with some of her immediate family in the Manchester
area; it is not known if her father was one of them.
In 1896 Mary Bond 'Rolley' Raynes died in the April-June quarter.
Mary Ellen had already taken over the management of the Tea Rooms at
The Heights of Jacob during Mary Raynes illness. And the running of
Primrose Cottage along with the care of Mary Raynes. Mary Ellen's
greatest regret and wish was not having married or giving birth to a child.
On the 4 November 1896 Mary Ellen Rolley age 39 at Primrose Cottage
gave birth to a boy called Arthur Rolley.
Arthur was told his father was Jacob Raynes from birth. Jacob Raynes
acknowledged Arthur as his son but would not give him his name, for
reasons lost in time. Descendants of Arthur look remarkably like Jacob.
Mary Ellen and Arthur remained at Primrose Cottage after Jacob died
in 1904 when Arthur was 8.
The Heights of Jacob were under new management in Kelly's Trade Directory
from 1907-1916 by George Adam CRAIG. At this time I have not been able
to establish what occurred with the Heights of Jacob between 1904 and 1907.
Mary Ellen and Arthur were still at Primrose Cottage in 1908 when in the
Kelly's Postal directory for business' Ellen Raynes was listed as
proprietor of Primrose Cottage apartments. And in 1909 Harriett, Jacobs's
daughter wished for the cottage to be sold.
And this is when the Mathias & Ann Bradshaw, Mary Ellen's Aunt, convinced
her to immigrate to Brisbane Australia for a fresh start for her and her
son. And to be close to family that had already Immigrated to Brisbane
Australia.
(Ann Bradshaw nee Rolley was the younger sister of Samuel and the family
peacemaker and the contact link between all the family members. She was
universally loved by all)
So in 1910 her Uncle Matthew [Mathias] Bradshaw, who was then living at
Myall Cottage in Ekibin Road Brisbane, nominated them for immigration
to Australia.
Matthew paid 2 pounds and 6 pence to make the application on
1st April 1910. A warrant was issued on the 16 June 1910.
Mary Ellen 45 years and Arthur 14 years, Left Tilbury docks London
16 September 1910 and arrived in Brisbane on the "Orsova" on the
31st October 1910.
Mary Ellen died in Brisbane on the 14th June 1945 and was buried in
Toowong Cemetery Brisbane on 15th June.
Inscription reads "Our Mother Mary Ellen Rolley- mother of Arthur"
Primrose Cottage
As described in a late 1900's Real Estate advertisement.
Situated in a quiet position above Matlock Bath with fabulous views.
Take the first right hand turn, into Holme Road. Bear left proceeding
to up Upperwood Road; continue through the "narrows", up the Hill until
the road levels out slightly. The property is second white cottage on
the left hand side.
Lee-anne Taylor
|
