Carbery, Ellen

Ellen Carbery (1845-1915), businesswoman and poet, was born in Turk's Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, in 1845, the youngest daughter of Bridget (Power) and James Carbery. She died on 5 September 1915.

When her mother died in 1856, Carbery was sent to live with her father's cousins, William and Mary Talbot, of Harbour Grace, who had no children of their own. William Talbot had been a school teacher and a Liberal Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) between 1852-59. Carbery received her education in Harbour Grace at the school operated by the Presentation Sisters, graduating in 1863.

In 1865 Carbery moved to St. John's where she worked in the women's department of Peters, Badcock, Roche & Company, becoming an expert in women's clothing, millinery and accessories. On 27 April 1887, she opened her own store, the Ladies Emporium, located on the ground floor of the Atlantic Hotel on Duckworth Street.

At the time the major suppliers of women's clothes, hats and accessories to Newfoundland in the late 1880s were British wholesalers who distributed through general department stores. To acquire stock, male buyers were sent to England several times a year. Carbery broke with tradition by going to England herself to acquire her stock.

Carbery's Ladies Emporium was destroyed in the St. John's fire of 1892. She re-opened her business at 13 Queen Street. In 1901, she relocated to 199 Water Street where she remained for the rest of her business life.

On 15 July 1915, Carbery left St. John's for her summer buying trip. While in England she also visited Newfoundland soldiers. She left Liverpool aboard the Hesperian on 4 September 1915. Later that night the vessel was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine. The ship did not sink immediately, giving passengers time to get into lifeboats. Carbery made it into one of the lifeboats, but she died before daybreak from the effects of exhausion and shock.

Carbery was recognized for her talent as a poet and as a correspondent to various newspapers. Approximately 70 poems and 24 articles have been found in local publications.

Created - April 30, 2013

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