Elizabeth Underwood

Elizabeth Underwood

Elizabeth Underwood (Harris, Lang) (circa 1794 – 31 August 1858) was a pioneering Australian land owner who founded the village (now a suburb) of Ashfield, New South Wales.

She was the daughter of John Harris, an English-born ex-convict who had been sentenced to death for stealing eight silver spoons but was ultimately transported to Australia on the First Fleet. Her mother's identity isn't known for sure but she was probably also a convict. One biographer speculates her name was Mary Green and Elizabeth was actually born Elizabeth Green on 24 December. Neither parent played a significant part in her upbringing. Her father set sail for England in 1801 and left Elizabeth and her sister Hannah in the care of James Larra, a prominent Sydney merchant and ex-convict, and his wife Susannah. Elizabeth was later described as the niece of Larra and it may be that her mother was sister to either Larra or his wife.cite web | title =Harris, John (fl. 1783 - 1803) | publisher =Australian Dictionary of Biography | url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010476b.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-08] cite web | title =Larra, James (1749 - 1839) | publisher =Australian Dictionary of Biography | url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020074b.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-08] [Parkinson, Liz: "The Underwoods: Lock, Stock and barrell". Lazy Lizard, 1989 ISBN 1 86252 925 6]

In 1812, she married Walter Lang and they had two sons before Walter died in 1816. The second son John George Lang was the first published novelist born in Australia. In 1819, she married Joseph Underwood, a merchant and sealer whose wife had died the year before leaving him with a number of children to look after. Joseph and Elizabeth had a further six children of their own so it was fortunate that, just before his marriage to Elizabeth, he had bought a large house and property, Ashfield Park, from fellow merchant Robert Campbell.cite web | title =Underwood, Joseph (1779 - 1833) | publisher =Australian Dictionary of Biography | url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020499b.htm | accessdate = 2007-06-08]

After Joseph's death in 1833, the family began to encounter financial difficulties and considered subdividing their large estate. Cannily, Elizabeth advertised the sale as the formation of the village of Ashfield and paid for the construction of the Anglican Church herself. Many streets in northern Ashfield bear the names of her children including Frederick, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Julia and Joseph. Prior to the subdivision, the area was commonly known as Underwood's Bush and Underwood's Creek (later Iron Cove Creek and now a stormwater drain) was a popular picnic spot along Parramatta Road. Elizabeth died in 1858 and is buried in the graveyard of the church she built, St John's.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Underwood — may refer to:Peopleurname* Adin Ballou Underwood, American Civil War general * Antony Underwood, Australian scientist * Barbara D. Underwood (born 1944), American lawyer * Blair Underwood (1964 ndash;), American actor * Brittany Underwood (born… …   Wikipedia

  • Elizabeth B. Andrews — Leslie Elizabeth Bullock Andrews (* 12. Februar 1911 in Geneva, Alabama; † 2. Dezember 2002 in Birmingham, Alabama) war eine US amerikanische Politikerin (Demokratische Partei). Sie war die Ehefrau des US Abgeordneten George W. Andrews. Werdegang …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Eric Underwood — Eric John Underwood AO, CBE (7 September 1905 19 August 1980) was an Australian scientist who pioneered research into sheep nutrition and wool production.Personal lifeUnderwood was born in Harlington, Middlesex, England on 7 September 1905, the… …   Wikipedia

  • Cecilia Underwood, Duchess of Inverness — Infobox British Royalty|none name =Cecilia Underwood title =Duchess of Inverness spouse =Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1831 – 1843) Sir George Buggin (1815 – 1825) full name =Cecilia Letitia titles = Her Grace The Duchess of… …   Wikipedia

  • Cecilia Underwood, 1st Duchess of Inverness — Cecilia Underwood Duchess of Inverness Spouse Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1831–1843) Sir George Buggin (1815–1825) Full name Cecilia Letitia House House of Hanover Father Arthur Gore, 2nd Earl of Arran Mother …   Wikipedia

  • Cecilia Underwood, 1. Duchess of Inverness — (* circa 1785; † 1. August 1873 im Kensington Palace) war die zweite Ehefrau von Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, dem sechsten Sohn von König Georg III.. Die Ehe war auf Grund des Royal Marriages Act von 1772 in Großbritannien nicht legal. Sie …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sara Jean Underwood — exhibiting at Glamourcon 42, Los Angeles, on October 7, 2007 Playboy centerfold appearance …   Wikipedia

  • Portland and Cape Elizabeth Railway — Reger Straßenbahnverkehr am Monument Square, Blickrichtung Congress Street ostwärts, 1909 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • John Underwood (actor) — John Underwood (d. October 1624) was an early 17th century actor, a member of the King s Men, the company of William Shakespeare.CareerUnderwood began as a boy player with the Children of the Chapel, and was cast in that company s productions of… …   Wikipedia

  • Peter Underwood — Infobox Governor honorific prefix = His Excellency The Honourable name = Peter George Underwood honorific suffix = AO imagesize = small caption = order = 27th office = Governor of Tasmania term start = April 2, 2008 term end = lieutenant =… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”