Born in 1857 in Ireland, Ellen Connolley set sail for New Zealand at the age of 16, aboard the ‘Waitangi’. Along with her sister, she was what is now known as an ‘assisted immigrant’ and was entered in the ship’s passenger list as a dairy maid. First working in Mangere, she soon moved on to Riverhead, taking part in the social life of the community and in that way met the Bradly family. Marriage to William Bradly followed in 1878, with the happy couple moving to Helensville and later to their farm at Te Pua. At that time Te Pua was a mass of tall ti-tree and raupo swamp land and William and Ellen worked hard to carve out their home.
A total of seven children, five boys and two girls, were born to Ellen and William. At this time William had established himself as a painter and paper-hanger in the growing town of Helensville. Ellen was left to raise the family and run the property. In 1901, when William’s brother died leaving his six children orphans, Ellen took the youngsters into her home, raising the total number of her children from seven to thirteen, the eldest being 22, the youngest six. The task of taking on the extra six children was not easy for the 43 year old Ellen, especially as there was no Social Welfare or Child Support.
Ellen was called by both Maori and Pakeha the ‘Mother of the District’. Her home was always open and all residents were sure of a hearty welcome and a helping hand in times of trouble. Around 1917 Ellen and William sold their farm at Te Pua and retired to Helensville, where Ellen passed away at the age of 66 at her home in Puriri Street. The Bradly family continue to farm in the Helensville area.
(Taken from ‘Pioneering Women of South Kaipara’, available from the Te Awaroa Museum)
