At the time of their marriage Ella was a 25-year-old graduate of the teachers' training college in Freetown.[3] As she was both well educated and well travelled, Pathbana allowed her to accompany him to official functions.[3] As his Chief Consort, she created education opportunities for women and girls in the Masimera Chiefdom and became a popular figure.[3]
Together they had seven children but only three, Francis Obai Kabia, Soccoh Kabia, and Jilo Kabia, survived into adulthood.[3] After several years, his wife returned to Moyamba, the seat of her father's chiefdom. She never returned to Pathbana and explained that she was unhappy in the marriage.[1]
It is customary for Paramount Chief's in Sierra Leone practice polygamy, with their first spouse being a so-called "big wife" while the term "junior wife" is used to refer to their other spouses.[1] In addition to his marriage to Ella, Pathbana was married to 16 other women and had a great number children with them.[1]
