Individual Details

Ellen Augusta BRENNAN

(Abt 1852 - 21 Mar 1937)

Events

Birth	Abt 1852	Loddon, Victoria, Australian Colonies
Marriage	20 Nov 1873	All Saints Church, Sandhurst, Victoria, Australian Colonies - John Walter SMITH
Note (fam)	1875	A granddaughter of John & Ellen, Isla Ellen Bellette, wrote in 1990 of her memories of the stories of her grandparents and uncles and aunts. She said "they were given a grant of land in Adaminaby and eventually raised a family of 11 children whilst they fought to procure an existence in this rugged country. As the family grew they raised cattle and horses. They were all great horse men and women. It was said that John was reputed to be the "Man from Snowy River" but I have since heard others make the same claim. Whilst John & his sons worked the land, Ellen & her daughters worked the homestead. The men milked the cows, killed their meat and cured the bacon and grew the fruit & vegetables. The women, with a fuel stove and copper and flat irons, did the washing, ironing and cooking, kept house, made the bread, cakes, etc, candles, soap, cheese and butter. - John Walter SMITH
Note (fam)	1876	"There was no electricity or gas and only tank water. They also made most of their clothing. Twice a year John and Ellen went by wagonette to Goulburn for supplies such as sugar, flour, tea, rice, etc. The material for the clothing was brought in bolts, therefore the girls wore frocks of the same pattern and the boys had matching shirts. They lived mostly from the land. They worked as a family and prospered, at one time also owning the hotel in Adaminaby. The girls were great housekeepers and cooks. Ellen, as her family grew, became the local midwife for the scattered families living in the area. She was often away several weeks at a time, riding with John or one of her sons (she rode her mount side saddle) when a neighbour's time came. The homestead was visited by Ned Kelly, the Australian bushranger, who plundered the kitchen for supplies. - John Walter SMITH
Note (fam)	1900	"In the early 1900's came the 7 year drought and of course a recession where John lost everything. By this time their family had started to marry and begin their own lives. John & Ellen took some of the younger members of the family and moved to Narrandera where they managed a property. It was here that John had a heart attack and passed away" - John Walter SMITH
Death	21 Mar 1937	Leeton, New South Wales, Australia

Families

Spouse	John Walter SMITH (1848 - 1913)
Child	John Walter "Sanko Jack" SMITH (1874 - 1945)
Child	Amos Alexander SMITH (1876 - 1898)
Child	Jane Elizabeth SMITH (1877 - 1952)
Child	William Henry "Flash Billy" SMITH (1879 - 1964)
Child	Alice Margaret SMITH (1881 - 1916)
Child	Frank James SMITH (1883 - 1960)
Child	Ernest Edward "Ernie" SMITH (1885 - 1944)
Child	Emily Isabel SMITH (1887 - 1980)
Child	Mary Ellen SMITH (1889 - 1986)
Child	Ellen L "Nell" SMITH (1892 - )
Child	Albert Hubert SMITH (1896 - 1919)

Father	Martin BRENNAN (1821 - 1874)
Mother	Ellen SANGFORD (1824 - 1875)
Sibling	Mary Agnes BRENNAN (1851 - 1928)
Sibling	Martin BRENNAN (1853 - 1933)
Sibling	Margaret Sophia BRENNAN (1855 - 1935)
Sibling	Jane Elizabeth BRENNAN (1856 - 1941)
Sibling	Catherine BRENNAN (1858 - 1895)
Sibling	Selina BRENNAN (1862 - 1931)
Sibling	Isabella "Bella" BRENNAN (1865 - 1896)

Endnotes