Mary Ellen PARSLOW ⁵

  Events

• It is interesting that Claire Smallwood had noted the 8th April in her birthday book as "Grandma", and not the 9th, which appears in the official records.

• Mary Ellen and Arthur Stanley eloped, so the family history is told, as Mary Ellen's mother didn't think much of Arthur Stanley.

We are told that, in fact, Mary Ellen's mother didn't think much of anyone.

This view of the parking area at the top of Castle Hill provides us with a picture of the magnificent cars of yesteryear, and a look at perhaps a romantic spot that Mary Ellen would have been taken in her courting days.

• Mary Ellen and Arthur had a house in Irvinebank.

This image of Irvinebank includes the shops and businesses of the town, the tin smelter and dam, with a view of the surrounding hills and countryside.

• Mary Ellen and her family lived in Irvinebank, on a lease from the mine.

Shown here is a plan of the township, with the Smallwood residence top centre, the main township bottom right.

• The Chinese gardeners in Irvinebank produced, importantly, fresh fruit and vegetables for the many inhabitants.

Frances tells us that the gardeners, while describing their goods, call out "fresh sellelly". Of course, they were hard to understand, and after a few goes at pronouncing that particular vegetable, they ended up by saying "Sellelly, just like wages!"

• If Mary Ellen's children needed medical attention, it was the local doctor, Dr William Evan McFarlane, who would see to their needs.

One story tells of a little girl who had a tooth pulled, and this indelicate operation was performed without any anaesthetic. Dr McFarlane was an amateur astronomer and had a proper observatory up on Hospital Hill. He said she was a brave little girl for not crying, and as a reward, he showed her his telescope inside his observatory and turned the dome-shaped roof around.
Dr McFarlane also had a small skating rink under his home for the use of the local children.

• Mary Ellen is seen here with her family. This portrait was taken by the travelling photographer, who visited all the country towns regularly.

He would set up his equipment in the local hall, and families would troop down there to have their photographs taken.

We wonder how much effort it took Mary Ellen to organise all the children, her husband and herself, for this photograph.

• According to the Queensland Electoral Roll of 1913, Mary Ellen's place of living was Irvinebank, Subdivision of Herberton, Division of Kennedy.

• Mary Ellen's occupation was "Housewife" in Irvinebank, at the time of this Electoral Roll.

• Mary Ellen was living in Armstrong Street, Townsville, with her husband, Arthur Stanley, in 1922.

• Mary Ellen's occupation was listed as "home duties".

• Mary Ellen is featured in this lovely portrait with her three daughters.

Mary Ellen is in the centre, and the girls from left to right are Frances, Beatrice, and Evelyn.

Mary Ellen had blue, blue eyes, recalls her daughter Frances.

• Mary Ellen and Arthur Stanley lived in Townsville during their later years.

This photograph of their city, in Flinders Street, was taken during the 1940's. Chandlers and the Excelsior Hotel can be seen on the left, and the Adelaide Steamship Company building on the right.

• With apologies to any person who may be offended.

This photograph of Mary Ellen's grave has been included for the descendants of Mrs Smallwood to view. No offence has been intended to any person.

Mary Ellen was buried next to her husband, who had died almost twenty-two years before her.

Mary married Arthur Stanley SMALLWOOD, son of John SMALLWOOD and Ellen PITTARD, on 26 Nov 1901 in Townsville, Queensland ²³.^,141 (Arthur Stanley SMALLWOOD was born on 16 Jul 1877 in Rockhampton, Queensland ^142,143 and died on 5 Apr 1939 in Townsville, Queensland.)