Biography

Elizabeth Aitchison 13 January 1822 – 19 April 1899

Elizabeth Lindsay was born on 13 Janurary 1822 at Carnwaith, Larnakshire, Scotland, the eldest of four children.

On 10 July 1845 she married Thomas Aitchison snr, a widower with a young daughter, Janet, at Crammond, Midlothian, Scotland.

In November 1850 she gave birth to twins James and Thomas, at which time husband Thomas was a shepherd.

The family arrived at Port Adelaide, Australia on the ship Sultana on 10 August 1851, but unfortunately James had died on board the ship. Soon after they arrived, James’ twin Thomas also died.

By 1855 the family were on the Edgar Station, Pine Hill Harrow, Victoria which was owned by David Edgar, a relative of Thomas snr.

The couple had more children: another son, Thomas jnr, was born in Queensland in about 1852 then in November 1856 a daughter, Elizabeth Mary Jane was born. Another daughter, Isobella was born in 1859. The girls were born at Pine Hill Harrow.

In August 1861 Elizabeth, Thomas and their children except Thomas’ daughter Janet departed from Port Melbourne on the Omeaha for Dunedin, New Zealand. Janet stayed at Pine Hill Harrow with David Edgar and his family, where she later married.

Isobella died on 12 February 1864, and in December the same year another son, John, was born.

The family lived at North East Valley, a suburb of Dunedin and also at Hampden and Mount Cargill. Elizabeth died at Mount Cargill on 19 April 1899.