Maria (Ellis) Atkins (1874 - 1952)

Born 25 Aug 1874 in Little Snowy Creek., Vic., Australia

Ancestors

Wife of Henry Atkins — married 4 Apr 1893 in Wesleyan (Methodist) Church, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 17 Nov 1952 at age 78 in East Ringwood, Vic., Australia

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Biography

Maria was born in 1874, to English settlers who were farming in the Mitta Valley in Victoria. Her father was Samuel Ellis, 32 years, Wheelwright, from Coydway, Montgomeryshire, England. Her mother was Sarah Ellis, formerly Morris, 32 years, from Hadnall, Shropshire, England. Maria's parents were married on 12 August 1863 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. The birth entry for Maria also states that when she was born there were already two older sisters - Mary, 6 years, and Alice, 4 years.

A young school teacher employed her as a sewing teacher, and subsequently decided to propose marriage. As Maria had two older sisters who were as yet un-married, their father tried to encourage Henry Atkins to marry Alice rather than Maria, but the schoolmaster persisted in his suit. Marie was only 19 when she married Mr Atkins. As a schoolmaster, Henry Atkins was moved to a new school every few years. After living in a number of rural communities, he purchased a home named "Brentleigh" at 230 Canterbury Road, Canterbury (Melbourne). Family members still refer to this old home as "230". Grandma Maria lived there for almost forty years, before moving into a new home in East Ringwood with her daughter, Rita. Maria passed away in 1952. Her Funeral Service was held in the home, and she was buried alongside her husband at Box Hill.

I hope other members of the family might add memories below on his page.

Sources

• Schedule A in the Register of Births in the District of Mitta Mitta in the Colony of Victoria - for 1874; number 17826. This shows details of her parents, their ages, places of birth, and date and place of their marriage.
• BDM Register of Marriages in Victoria, number 2456 for the year 1893.
• BDM Register of deaths in Victoria, number 23859 for the year 1952.