Ellen worked as a housemaid in Fremantle from her arrival in Australia until her marriage to James Cope (#126) at the St Mary’s Cathedral Perth in 1871. Her emerald green travelling dress remains in the possession of her Great Granddaughter Joan Nagle.
James and Ellen lived in the Warder’s cottages outside the walls of Fremantle prison where their five children were born. They moved to Jarrahdale sometime in the early 1880’s where James worked in the mill and Ellen ran the mill boarding house. See “Mills of Jarrahdale” V.G. Fall 1972.pp 55-57. It was here that her daughter Rose met and married David Sidney Hughan (#58). Her granddaughter Ellen Hughan (#20) also met her husband-to-be Henry Arthur Bradshaw (#19) while she was holidaying at Jarrahdale and he was living at the boarding house while working as a bookkeeper at the mill.
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The following letter was written to Ellen Cope (Twohig) (#127) and Rose (#57) by Ellen’s sister Kate Twohig (#153). She came to W.A. and lived here for many years (with Rose for some time) but returned to Ireland to die. Having got there she wanted to return but was prevented from doing so by the outbreak of war. This letter was written on her return to Ireland seemingly some 40 years after she first went to Australia. Ellen was 78 years old at this time and would appear to be ill and in the care of Rose at Maylands.
10 Dunbar St
Cork
24th May 1914
My Dear Sister and Niece, You will be glad to hear that after a long weary journey, I arrived safely in London on the 17th. May. On the arrival of the boat I was handed a note from Jerry telling me not to stir till he came for me which was in a very short time. I had not long to wait when I saw a stout, pleasant looking gentleman rushing to where I was, and when he was near enough to recognise him, I saw at once your brother, you cannot imagine how very like you he is, in face and form, it was quite true all Mrs. Jones said about him, he knew me at once and you can imagine what a happy reunion it was after our long parting. He had such a nice place for me secured by some friend from Cork who is at business in London no wonder it is called “Marvellous London” such sights I never saw before and he took me every where worth seeing as far as our short stay would allow. We travelled miles and miles on top of a buss. I wish you could have seen me. We went in the evening to devotions in a beautiful Church where there was a procession of “Angels” it being the month of May. One little angel reminded me so much of little Nellie that the tears filled my eyes and I could have embraced her on the spot and strange to say when I came outside the door Jerry asked me if I noticed how like little Nellie was to one of the Angels was it not remarkable that we both should notice the resemblance. I have never met such nice people as we stayed with they left nothing undone for our comfort and the young lady said she would write to you and give you all particulars. 1 was also introduced to a very nice girl from Co. Clare who spent 3 years in the convent in London and has a notion of going West she is not a young girl and can milk cows etc. I thought how useful she would be to Kitty so I gave her your address. After a busy and exciting time in London we left at 9 OC. Tuesday morning and arrived in Cork at 9 OC. that night what a contrast that was to our experience of travelling 40 years ago. We came by a new route (Fishground) and were only 4 hours on water having arrived at dear old Cork we drove to Jerry’s home where his wife gave us a hearty welcome. She is a dear creature. I never thought she would be so thoughtful, and anxious to make me happy and feel at home she is quite a young woman and he is very lucky to have such a wife and nice home. I would like very much you to send her a mantle border. Well I went to bed with the promise to stay there next day and have a good rest but when the church bell woke me next morning, the temptation was too much and to their great surprise I was up as fresh as a lark and off to Mass. We live just next to the church so if I lose Heaven now it is my own fault. The first friend I went to see was Katie Hallaran she never knew me and we had a great row over the price of some cauliflower before I told her who I was.
You may be sure Jerry enjoyed the fun but kept in the background till the row was over. I then went to her brother Mike and strange to say he knew me at once. I knew him too but I would never know the place such a wonderful change you never saw everything just as up to date as you have yourselves he has a very nice wife and family and I was delighted to see them so happy and having such a nice home. When Julia saw me she knew me at once but 1 would never know her only for having seen her photo. She is quite grey and looks much older than she really is, but then she has had a large family six living and six burned. She has a very nice family especially the boy who is a twin and the youngest 15 years old. He is a lovely boy so like his Uncle Jerry with whom he works his wages are small yet about 7/- a week but he will rise by degrees and Jerry will take an interest in him. All her girls are working too but wages here are so small you couldn’t imagine how they get on still they seem very happy and have a comfortable little home tho’ small. I could never imagine that she would make such a good Mother and Wife and careful housekeeper after my experience of her early youth she was fortunate enough to get a good husband he is a strong active man and he looks younger than she does tho’ he is really older. She is very grateful for all your kindness. I dare say you have got Mary’s wedding cake by this. She seems to have got a good husband I’m sure she will be very happy.
John and myself spent Sunday with Mary’s daughter, she is now Maggie O’Brien, a Widow with four children, she earns her living by nursing, she I think had a struggle to rear them for a long time but they are now grown up and will soon be a help to her. She lives in a nice little village called Carrytohill about 9 miles from Cork a nice country place. We spent a nice enjoyable day and we got a trap and drove us for miles round the country, such beautiful green fields I needn’t tell you I haven’t seen since I left them before. Jerry and myself are to drive to Ballygowan Wednesday (it’s his half holiday) and I will have another opportunity of enjoying the green fields of old Ireland the only drawback is that I haven’t you all or even some of you with me it will take me a long time to be really happy without you, if I ever will. Jerry read your letter of this morning for me I was so glad to hear Mother was improving but was sorry to hear about poor little Willie I am sure he misses his Auntie just as much as I miss him. I fear you are very much overworked with Mother ill and the children troublesome. You want some help very badly and it is when the excitement is over you will feel the effects of the hardship. Tell Mrs Egen that Mis Coughlan called and got her parcel, she is looking Al and can step out a lot livelier than herself, she seems to know all about the row Mrs White and Mrs Rogers(?) had and seems displeased with them from what she told me it was easy for them to travel around Ireland as she stood well to them. I promised to return her visit next week. If you get a letter from America send it on to me. I am so sorry I didn’t see poor Mrs Briggs it was too bad she was disappointed. you didn’t mention Mrs McInerney give my love to her and family also Mrs Bowman and family and all enquiring friends too numerous to mention. I wish to be kindly remembered to all and will be so glad always to get a long letter with all particulars about them as well as yourselves I think Jerry is wanting this mail and I think I have told you all there is to tell considering I am not long yet on Irish soil so I will now conclude with fondest love and wishes to you all and will hope and trust to hear even better news of poor Mother next time. May God restore her is my constant prayer with tons of kisses to the little ones my dear little darlings how I do miss them and you all good bye
dearest from
your loving Auntie
Kate Twohig