Florence Lillian (Lil) Stuart
The fourth daughter of John T Mellsop & Charlotte, Florence Lillian Mellsop was born at Glenbrook in 1874. Known to family and friends as "Lil", she went teaching after she left school in what was known as teacher pupil arrangement — there was no Teachers' Training College for Lil.
She spent time at Clevedon School, arriving there initially on the steamer that ran up the Clevedon River from Auckland. While there she boarded with the Misses Thorpe. She later taught at Brookside School, but she didn't really feel that teaching was her calling, so in 1905 she commenced her nursing training at Auckland Hospital. She loved nursing, particularly the children's ward, which became her specialty. |
Lil & Charles Stuart's only child |
On a trip to Tahiti (her eldest sister having married there in 1885) she met and married a widower Charles Metcalf Stuart, who was a resident of Tahiti where he owned a plantation at Paea.
Their only child, Sheila was born there in 1913. The family left Tahiti, returning to Auckland after the shelling of Tahiti during WWI, settling initially in Garden Rd Epsom. Charles' son Herbert came with them and as his hearing was seriously impaired it was considered prudent to buy a small farm in Henderson, thus providing a home and occupation for Herbert. The family moved to that farm in Edmonton Rd Henderson, and it was there that Charles died in 1931. Sheila continued to live there with her Mother until her marriage. Lil stayed on caring for her stepson until she was in her 70 plus years. There were no Doctors in Henderson during her early years and Lil's nursing skill, known to the local community, were frequently sought and freely given. Still in the family possession is a lively Shelley rose bowl presented to Lil by the people of Henderson in gratitude for her care. The farm was eventually sold, and an aged Herbert went to live with his sister at Glenbrook Beach and Lil retired to Remuera.
Throughout her life she was a great correspondent and kept in touch with all her family through many letters. She was much loved and fondly remembered by her two grandchildren, Colleen & Garry.
Florence Lillian Mellsop's dates:
Born: 31 March 1874
Died: 31 July 1952
Their only child, Sheila was born there in 1913. The family left Tahiti, returning to Auckland after the shelling of Tahiti during WWI, settling initially in Garden Rd Epsom. Charles' son Herbert came with them and as his hearing was seriously impaired it was considered prudent to buy a small farm in Henderson, thus providing a home and occupation for Herbert. The family moved to that farm in Edmonton Rd Henderson, and it was there that Charles died in 1931. Sheila continued to live there with her Mother until her marriage. Lil stayed on caring for her stepson until she was in her 70 plus years. There were no Doctors in Henderson during her early years and Lil's nursing skill, known to the local community, were frequently sought and freely given. Still in the family possession is a lively Shelley rose bowl presented to Lil by the people of Henderson in gratitude for her care. The farm was eventually sold, and an aged Herbert went to live with his sister at Glenbrook Beach and Lil retired to Remuera.
Throughout her life she was a great correspondent and kept in touch with all her family through many letters. She was much loved and fondly remembered by her two grandchildren, Colleen & Garry.
Florence Lillian Mellsop's dates:
Born: 31 March 1874
Died: 31 July 1952