Elizabeth Macarthur

Elizabeth Macarthur (14 August 1766 – 9 February 1850) Australia. She was born in Devon, England, the daughter of provincial farmers, Richard and Grace Veale. Her father died when she was 7 while her mother remarried when she was 11, leaving Elizabeth in the care of her grandfather john and friends. She married the Plymouth soldier John Macarthur in 1788 and, with her new born son Edward, accompanied him, along with his regiment, the New South Wales Corps, to the recently established colony of Sydney in 1790.

Marriage to John Macarthur

John named his property at Rosehill, near Parramatta, Elizabeth Farm after her. Elizabeth's work centred on her family, the education of her children and the management of a modest household. From nine pregnancies, seven children survived childhood. Her sons, Edward, John, James and William, made worthy contributions to colonial governance, agriculture, politics and trade. Her eldest daughter Elizabeth remained unmarried, despite at least two 'offers' declined by her parents. Her younger daughters Mary and Emmeline married into colonial families. Elizabeth died in 1850, having first been estranged from her husband and then surviving him by fifteen years.She was an Anglican.

Role in founding Australian wool industry

Living in England between 1809 and 1817, Elizabeth oversaw the family estates at Parramatta and Camden, among the smallest properties in New South Wales at the time. This included the management of household and business accounts, the employment of convict labour, the supervision of wool washing, baling and transport and the selection of rams and breeding to improve the flock. While John expressed his gratitude and admiration in her ability to cope, her irregular and inadequate correspondence was of constant concern. Nonetheless, her contribution was essential to the success of the enterprise and establishing New South Wales as a reliable supplier of quality wool.

Elizabeth was the first soldier's wife to arrive in New South Wales. Being educated, articulate and well read, her letters provide an important record of the infant convict town of Sydney and colonial life. She enjoyed a privileged position in society and "held court amongst officers of the New South Wales Corps, naval officers and members of the colonial administration". Though Governor Phillip was the only governor she associated with, as her husband's business activities and actions later were "too controversial for any governor to seek the company of the Macarthur family". cite web | last = Conway | first = Jill | authorlink = Jill Ker Conway | year = 1967 | url = http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020130b.htm | title = Macarthur, Elizabeth (1766 - 1850) | work = Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher = Australian National University | accessdate = 2006-06-04 ]

The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is named in her honour. It is the largest Centre of Excellence operated by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, employing 200 scientists and located at Camden Park. [cite web | year =
url = http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/emai-about | title = About EMAI | publisher = State of New South Wales, Department of Primary Industries | accessdate = 2006-06-04]

Elizabeth Macarthur is commemorated on the 1995 Australian five dollar coin which was struck for inclusion in a special "Masterpieces in Silver" collector proof set entitled Colonial Australia.. [cite web | year = 2003 | url = http://www.australianstamp.com/coin-web/aust/fivedoll/199515do.htm | title = 1995 Macarthur Five Dollars | work = | publisher = Australian Stamp & Coin Co Pty. Ltd. | accessdate = 2006-06-04]

One of Elizabeth's accounting books refers to a Machiping having made a linen press and other sundry items. He was paid 8 pounds in 1824. The desk is believed to survive in Milton House museum, in Milton NSW. Mak Sai Ying is believed to be the first Chinese man to live in Australia."

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