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Ellen Davitt Ellen Davitt i(A20318 works by) (birth name: Marie Antoinette Hélène Léontine Heseltine) (a.k.a. Ellen Heseltine)
Also writes as: Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt
Born: Established: 1812 Hull, Yorkshire,
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England,
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United Kingdom (UK),
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Western Europe, Europe,
; Died: Ceased: 6 Jan 1879 Fitzroy, Fitzroy - Collingwood area, Melbourne - North, Melbourne, Victoria,
Gender: Female
Arrived in Australia: 1854
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Works By

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1 A Bazaar Ellen Davitt , 1993 extract novel crime (Force and Fraud : A Tale of the Bush)
— Appears in: Mean Streets : A Quarterly Journal of Crime, Mystery and Detection , July no. 9 1993; (p. 48-49)
1 Lodging in a Christian Family Ellen Davitt , 1993 extract novel crime (Force and Fraud : A Tale of the Bush)
— Appears in: Mean Streets : A Quarterly Journal of Crime, Mystery and Detection , July no. 9 1993; (p. 46-48)
1 A House to Let Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1868 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , 25 January vol. 3 no. 126 1868; (p. 345-349)

'A suburban housewife from St Kilda goes into central Melbourne in search of a suitable house to let for an acquaintance. In the process she is accidentally locked in a house and witnesses the stealthy burial of a body which leads to the uncovering of a murder.' (PB)

1 The Wreck of the 'Atlanta' Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1867 single work novella A shipwreck on New Year's Eve off the Australian south coast brings two boatloads of survivors to the town of Westbrook, and Clarence Desmond a stranger, to the house of the Maudesleys. Mrs M. had known Mr Desmond in earlier years, and so had the young doctor whose lover he had seduced. Desmond is informed of the death of this latter lady in the shipwreck, meets a former sweetheart in a shepherd's cottage on the Maudesley station, and returns to Melbourne promising to fetch her there. In Melbourne he meets Mrs Maudesley's step-daughter Louisa who falls in love with him and whom he encourages. Returning to the country for Janet, Desmond is accused then cleared of the shooting of Mr Maudesley. The following adventures include a near marriage to Louisa prevented only by the appearance of Desmond's wife, an explosion on a steamer and presumed drownings, measles, murder and attempted suicide, leading to the final denouement and several marriages and reunions. (PB)
1 The Highlander's Revenge : A Story of the Early Australian Settlers Ellen Davitt , 1867 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , 31 August vol. 3 no. 105 1867; (p. 10-12) Coppertales : A Journal of Rural Arts , no. 6 2000; (p. 31-40)
Late night reminiscence of attacks by Aborigines, the deaths of a Highlander's family, and his relentless quest for revenge. Interesting for its awful depiction of the atrocities of the 'dispersal' of the Aborigines, and the divided feelings surrounding it. Set in NSW, particularly around the Murrumbidgee. (PB)
1 Past and Future. A Tale of the Early Explorers Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1866 single work novella romance historical fiction Romance of a midshipman, Charles Spencer, who accompanied Bass and Flinders to Bass Strait and then Flinders on his voyages in 1799 and 1801, and of his wife Phillipine who accompanied him on the 'Investigator' to Australia in 1801.
1 Uncle Vincent : Or, Love and Hatred. A Romance of Modern Times Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1866 single work novel romance Tale of rivalry between twin brothers, the youngest of whom wishes to inherit their father's title. From their childhood in Spain and Ireland to adulthood, through love and murder. (PB)
1 A Souvenir of Havanna Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1866 single work prose travel
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , 21 April vol. 1 no. 34 1866; (p. 540-541)
Havanna, Cuba - recollections from a visit in youth. (PB)
1 Black Sheep : A Tale of Australian Life Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1865 single work novella romance

When his first love marries another, Francis Saville comes to Australia for adventure. He works as a gold escort and a mounted trooper on the diggings. In Australia, he is reunited with another 'black sheep': Mrs. Drummond and her family. Her husband is the goldfield’s warden. On his return to the UK, Francis is 'killed' and buried at sea. His murderer cannot escape the guilt and eventually throws himself overboard (on another journey). Saville, in fact, has not been killed and returns to his family in England, but he rejects his English title and land. He returns to Australia to marry Mrs. Drummond’s daughter Marguerite who has blossomed into a beauty. They remain in Australia.

2 14 Force and Fraud : A Tale of the Bush Arthur (Mrs.) Davitt , 1865 single work novel crime mystery Scottish immigrant squatter Mr McAlpin is found murdered. Suspicion centres on Herbert Lindsey who is betrothed to McAlpin's daughter Flora. McAlpin's overseer Pierce Silverton also loves Flora and tells her that Herbert has married someone else. In her despair, she agrees to marry Silverton. Silverton is strangled by the man whom he paid to murder McAlpin and who is blackmailing him. Flora marries Herbert and they stay in Australia.
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