Ella May Nisbet

     Ella May Nisbet was born on 22 September 1887 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; This date was given as her birthdate by Ella May herself in listing dates for this writer in the late 1960's.^1,2 She was born on 22 September 1888 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.^3,4 She was the daughter of John Nisbet and Eleanor J. Darrah. Ella May Nisbet was baptized on 3 September 1893 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; Ella was baptised by Rev. Robt Wilson, Methodist Minister.⁵ She married Stanley Fenwick Wood, son of William Judson Wood and Eveline Daley, on 16 April 1912 at Orient Heights, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts; It was the first marriage for both, with Stanley as a resident of Lynn, and Ella of Saint John, New Brunswick. Arthur Harriman, 37 Breed Street, Lynn, married them, and entered the record on 22 Apr 1912 at Boston.⁶ Ella May Nisbet died on 27 January 1970 at Marlborough, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts, at age 81.^7,1,2 She was buried at Forestvale Cemetery, Hudson, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts.⁸
     A third birth record, from the 1901 census record of Saint John Co, Victoria 2 Ward, shows her birthday to be 6 September 1890.⁸ She appeared on the census of 1901 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; Ella May was 10 years old, living with her mother and step-father, Alexander Ward. Her three step-sisters, Jennie, Lottie, and Olive were also there.⁹ She was naturalized on 12 December 1938 at Boston, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts; Petition #190444, Certificate # 4560391 states Ella May Wood was aged 51 yrs, of fair complexion, with hazel eyes, black hair, 120 pounds and 5' 1 1/2 " tall, then a resident of 20 Causeway Street, Hudson, Massachusetts. In the possession of this writer (PWW.)² She and Stanley Fenwick Wood appeared on the census of 9 April 1940 at 92 Manning Street, Hudson, Middlesex Co, Massachusetts; Stanley F. Wood, 52, Ella M., 52, Donald J., 21, Evelyn R., 16; all born Canada; Doris E., 14 and Raymond S., 13, both born Massachusetts. Stanley had completed 4 yrs of high school; Ella 8th grade; Donald, 4yrs high school; Evelyn had completed 2 yrs high; Doris, 1; and Raymond had completed 6th grade by that time. Stanley and Donald were both machinists.¹⁰ Ella lived on 92 Manning Street, Hudson for many years. Her son, Ray, lived with her until she passed away, and before her marriage in 1963, Dorie did as well.
This writer remembers "cooking" make-believe meals at Nana Wood's on the radiator in the front sun porch. She and her half sister, Lottie, made the most exqusite chocolate candies, with different perfect little swirls on top. Each swirl told what kind of candy it was. A talent I never had time to acquire.²