Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ellen Russell Mallory

1792 - 1855

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Ellen Russell Mallory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Ellen Russell Mallory Marker

Inscription. Ellen Russell immigrated from Ireland to Trinidad when she was 13 years old to live with an uncle. Before she was 16, she met and married Charles John Mallory, a Connecticut construction engineer. In 1820, the family moved to the United States, probably first to New England. Her husband's health forced them to move to Key West for the warmer climate. They arrived on December 23, 1823. Here Mrs. Mallory was one of the first permanent female settlers. Her husband opened a grog shop and and she became a matron at the Naval Hospital established by Commodore Porter. After the deaths of her oldest son and husband, she ran a boarding house, for many years the only one in Key West. She operated the boarding house until her death. Ellen was an experienced nurse who saved many, including Judge Marvin, from yellow fever. We now know that yellow fever is transmitted by the mosquito, but before the turn of the century, yellow fever was considered a very contagious disease that required a courageous person to be a yellow fever nurse. Judge Marvin wrote, "She was intelligent, possessed of ready Irish wit, was kind, gentle, charitable,

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sympathetic and considerate of the wants of the sick and the poor," In a time when women were not "allowed to work outside of the home she ran a successful business, became a respected member of the community and raised a son, Stephen, that became a lawyer, United States Senator and Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States of America. Ellen Mallory is a perfect example of the capable and enduing pioneer women who helped build our island and our nation.
Donated by
The Key West Woman's Club

Erected by The Key West Woman's Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1823.

Location. 24° 33.585′ N, 81° 48.411′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Wall Street and Tifts Street. The marker is located within the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Wall Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Ellen Russell Mallory Marker

Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stephen R. Mallory (here, next to this marker); Elisabetha Merklin Knight Beiglett Smith (here, next to this marker); Dr. J.Y. Porter (here, next to this marker); Captain Edward "Bra" Saunders (here, next to this marker); John Watson Simonton (here, next to this marker); Sandy Cornish (here, next to this marker); Joe Pearlman (here, next to this marker); Charles Helberg (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Ellen Russell Mallory - First Lady of Key West. (Submitted on May 14, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art. (Submitted on May 14, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.