James and Emma (Wiley)
and their three children who survived into adulthood
and their three children who survived into adulthood
James Mellsop, fifth surviving child of John and Maria, arrived with his mother Maria and five brothers and sisters on the Carnatic into Auckland on December 29, 1855, aged 14. His mother settled him and his brother Charlie in jobs as soon as she could after she arrived to help rescue the family finances.
Like his brothers James served in the Mauku Forest Rifle Volunteers in the 1860s, When the Land Wars finished James went contracting and building, including bridge building.
James married Emma Lascelles Wily, at St Brides, Mauku on 1 January 1883. Emma was head teacher at the Glenbrook School (then called Brookside School) between 1879 -1880, and possibly her influence encouraged James to also look to teaching as a career. He took up teaching and became head teacher in 1884 at Mangere School, a position he held for 16 years.
Their first son, Henry Arthur John, was born 10 Oct 1883 and died a month later. (He is buried in St Brides churchyard.) Their second child, a daughter, was still born; Winifred was born 21 September 1886, Geoffrey born 20 March 1888, and Dorothy born 26 Sept 1891.
James died of a stroke while still in his Head teacher role and is buried in the Mangere Public Cemetery. Dorothy was just 8 years old when he died. His obituary notes he was getting ready to go to bed and in the best of health when the stroke occurred. The doctor was called and stayed with him but was unable to save him.
James's dates: Born 1 May, 1841, in Dublin
Died 8 April 1900, Mangere Auckland.
Like his brothers James served in the Mauku Forest Rifle Volunteers in the 1860s, When the Land Wars finished James went contracting and building, including bridge building.
James married Emma Lascelles Wily, at St Brides, Mauku on 1 January 1883. Emma was head teacher at the Glenbrook School (then called Brookside School) between 1879 -1880, and possibly her influence encouraged James to also look to teaching as a career. He took up teaching and became head teacher in 1884 at Mangere School, a position he held for 16 years.
Their first son, Henry Arthur John, was born 10 Oct 1883 and died a month later. (He is buried in St Brides churchyard.) Their second child, a daughter, was still born; Winifred was born 21 September 1886, Geoffrey born 20 March 1888, and Dorothy born 26 Sept 1891.
James died of a stroke while still in his Head teacher role and is buried in the Mangere Public Cemetery. Dorothy was just 8 years old when he died. His obituary notes he was getting ready to go to bed and in the best of health when the stroke occurred. The doctor was called and stayed with him but was unable to save him.
James's dates: Born 1 May, 1841, in Dublin
Died 8 April 1900, Mangere Auckland.