Rush Family History
The Story of the Rush Family
Pelagia Rush, 1861-1913
This page documents Pelagia Isidore Rush, the youngest child of Cecilia's third marriage to John George Rush.
Pelagia was born in 1861 at Taita in the Hutt Valley She was married twice, first to a Mr David Bruce, a boarding house proprietor, and then to a William Henry Cox, a hairdresser who was born on 8 September 1853, but she had no children.
According to her obituaries below, Pelagia was well known for her musical talents. She moved up to Palmerston North with the family in the 1880s. After her first husband died in 1907, Pelagia married Awapuni hairdresser William Cox in 1912, exactly a year before she died. It is unknown what her cause of death was, but her obituaries say she had been sick for about seven months.
David Bruce died on 19 May 1907, aged 55 years, and was buried at Terrace End Cemetery, block 12, plot 41. There is no headstone.
Death Notices
Death Notice, Feilding Star, 17 May 1907, page 2
BRUCE - At Rongotea on Thursday May 16th, David Nicholson, beloved husband of Pelagia Isidora Bruce, and fourth son of the late Mr Magirus Bruce, of Unst, Shetland, Scotland, and son-in-law of the late Mr J. G, Rush, of Palmerston North.
Feilding Star, 17 May 1907, Page 2: RONGOTEA NOTES.
"Mr David Bruce, proprietor of the Victoria Boarding house, at Rongotea, died yesterday afternoon. The deceased gentleman, who was 55 years of age, had been in failing health for a long time past, and passed away at his home at 1.30. The late Mr Bruce, accompanied by his wife, arrived in Rongotea about eighteen months ago from Eketahuna, and during their sojourn here earned the respect and esteem of a very wide circle of friends.
Another paper reported: We regret to announce the death of Mr David N. Bruce, of Rongotea, a brother-in-law of Mr Alphonsus Rush, of Palmerston. The late Mr Bruce was the fourth son of the late Magnus Bruce, of Unst, Shetland. Mr Bruce was for many years a resident of Palmerston, subsequently removing to Hamua and thence to Rongotea, where he died yesterday after a long illness borne with patient fortitude. He was greatly esteemed, and Mrs Bruce, a daughter of the late John Rush, of Palmerston, has received numerous expressions of sincere sympathy with her in her sad bereavement. [Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8286, 17 May 1907, Page 5]
The funeral of the late Mr Bruce takes place on Sunday. Deceased will be interred in the Palmerston cemetery."
The photo shows Pelagia with her first husband David Bruce.
Pelagia died on 10 April 1913 aged 52 years, and is buried in Plot 33, Block 79 of the Roman Catholic section at Terrace End Cemetery in Palmerston North with her parents John George and Cecilia Rush, and second husband William, who died on 13 September 1941 aged 88 years.
Obituaries
Obituary - Pelagia Cox, Manawatu Times, Saturday 12 April 1913
A well known lady passed away on Thursday at the hospital in the person of Mrs W. H. Cox. The deceased was the youngest daughter of a former well-known and respected resident of Palmerston, the late ex-councillor J.G. Rush. She came to this district about 25 years ago, and was well known in musical circles among the earlier residents.
She married the late Mr David Bruce, who lived here for many years, and last April was married to Mr W. H. Cox. Besides her husband, she leaves a brother, a Mr A. R. Rush of Hokowhitu; a step-brother, Mr Thos. Rodgers, of Rangitikei Line, and two sisters, Mrs Lichtwark of Taranaki, and Mrs McDowell of Rangitikei Line. The deceased had many friends in this and adjoining districts. Much sympathy is felt for the husband, who is widely known and very popular.
The funeral will leave the residence of Mr W. H. Cox, 96 Cuba St, at 2 pm today. Members of the Oroua Lodge of Druids are requested to be in attendance.
Obituary - Pelagia Cox, Manawatu Standard, Saturday 12 April 1913
Many people in this town and district, especially the older settlers, will regret to learn of the death of Mrs W. H. Cox, aged 52 years, which occurred yesterday, after an illness which had lasted about seven months. The deceased, who was born at Taita, Hutt, was the youngest daughter of a former well-known and respected resident of Palmerston, the late ex-councillor J. G. Rush. She came to this district about 25 years ago, and was well known in musical circles among the earlier residents. She became the wife of the late Mr David Bruce, who resided here for many years, and last April she was married to Mr W. H. Cox.
Besides her husband she leaves a brother Mr A. R. Rush of Hokowhitu, a step-brother, Mr Thos Rodgers of Rangitikei LIne, and two sisters, Mrs Lichtwark of Taranaki and Mrs McDowall of Rangitikei Line. The late Mrs Cox had many friends in this and adjoining districts, who will be deeply sensible of the loss occasioned by her demise. Much sympathy will be extended to her relatives, and particularly to her husband, who is widely known in connection with friendly society and other activities, and who is generally esteemed in the community.
The funeral will leave the residence of Mr W. H. Cox, 95 Cuba Street, at 2 pm tomorrow. Members of the Oroua Lodge of Druids are requested to be in attendance.
Death - W H Cox
Pelagia's second husband, William Henry Cox, died on 13 September 1941 and is buried at Terrace End Cemetery, block 79, plot 33.
Contact details
If you have any information or photos to add to this page, or any corrections, please contact Dale Hartle in Levin, New Zealand, by phone +64 021 45 34 24.