Husband
of W.P. 'Bill' Richardson's Great Aunt, Annie
Lee
Thomas was born at
Bowden Close Colliery, Helmington Row, Co. Durham on 9th
February 1866, he was the son of Michael Ellison
(a coal miner) and his wife Frances (nee Atkinson). His
birth was registered in the Auckland Registration
District. He was baptised on 14th March
1866 and his baptism was recorded in the Register of the
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel for the Bishop Auckland
Circuit. The census of 1871 recorded the
family at Wooley Terrace, Crook. Thomas's dad, Michael,
was 38 and working as a coal miner, his mam, Frances was
32.
Thomas was 5 and had four sisters Ann (11), Margaret
(10), Jane (9) and Sarah Ann (3). He also had two
brothers, Michael (7) and Stephen (11 months).
Quite a full house ! By the time of the
1881 census, the family were living at 27, Stanley
Terrace, Crook and Billy Row. Thomas's dad was 48 and
working as a coal miner. His Mam was 42. Thomas was 15
and listed as a pupil teacher.
Of his brothers and sisters still at home, Ann (21) was
a dressmaker, Michael (17) was a mason, Sarah Ann (13)
and Stephen (10) were both at school - as were the new
additions to the family, Mary (6) and John (4).
On the 29th July 1889, Thomas married Annie Lee, the
daughter of Matthew Lee, a miner, and his wife Catherine
(nee Walton). Both Thomas and Annie were 23 and they
were married at the Register Office in Auckland. Their
witnesses were Benjamin Smith and Sarah Ann Ellison (Thomas's sister). Thomas's occupation was assistant
schoolmaster. The 1891 census showed
Thomas and Annie living at Sunniside. They were both 25
and Thomas was listed as an assistant schoolteacher.
They had one child, Stephen Lee Ellison, who was a year
old. The census of 1901 recorded Thomas
and his family at Milburn Street, Crook. Thomas was 35,
as was Annie, he was listed as an assistant schoolmaster
at a Board School. They had four children, Stephen (11),
Mabel (9), Sydney (8) and Edwin (3).
Sadly, their son Sydney died in 1903, aged 10.
Thomas's wife, Annie, died in 1905, aged 40.
The census of 1911 showed that Thomas and his children
were still in Milburn Street. He was recorded as a 45
year old widower and his occupation was given as
schoolteacher. His son Stephen (21) was listed as a
student teacher and Edwin (13) was still at school. His
daughter, Mabel, was 19 and no occupation was listed for
her. She probably looked after them all and managed the
house. I do not yet have a record of
Thomas's death. |
