Adam Francis Telfer (1842-1925)

Born: 1842, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland | Died: 12 January 1925, Mitcham SA | Mother: Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) | Father: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Spouse: Margaret Dougal Telfer (1849–1936) (married 1868) | Buried: Mitcham General Cemetery, Section P, Plot 1 Nth

Photo

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> Adam Francis Telfer headstone, Mitcham General Cemetery.
> Source: FindAGrave 201529655 — accessed 25 May 2026

Family

| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | James Telfer (1796–1863) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Beattie (1802–1891) |
| Brother | James Telfer (1829–1913) — emigrated to SA |
| Spouse | Margaret Dougal Telfer (1849–1936) (married 1868) |
| Daughter | Elizabeth Beattie "Bessie" Telfer (1871-1948) m. Beaton |
| Son | Francis Adam Telfer (1875-1955) |
| Son | James Edgerston Telfer (1877-1959) |
| Son | Vernon Ray St Clair Telfer (1879-1960) |
| Daughter | Violet Hope Telfer (1883-1967) |
| Daughter | Adelaide Elsie Pearl Telfer (1889-1976) |

Life Summary

Adam Francis Telfer was born in 1842 at Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland, the son of James Telfer (1796-1863) and Elizabeth Beattie. He emigrated to South Australia, where he married Margaret Dougal Telfer in 1868.

Adam and Margaret had six children together. He died on 12 January 1925 at Mitcham, South Australia, and was buried at Mitcham General Cemetery. Margaret survived him by over a decade.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1842 | Born at Jedburgh, Roxburghshire/Scottish Borders, Scotland |
| 1868 | Married Margaret Dougal Telfer, South Australia |
| 1871 | Daughter Elizabeth "Bessie" born |
| 1875 | Son Francis Adam born |
| 1877 | Son James Edgerston born |
| 1879 | Son Vernon Ray St Clair born |
| 1883 | Daughter Violet Hope born |
| 1889 | Daughter Adelaide Elsie Pearl born |
| 12 Jan 1925 | Died at Mitcham SA |
| 1925 | Buried Mitcham General Cemetery |

Notes

Same-surname marriage: Adam's surname and Margaret's maiden name are both Telfer. They may be first cousins — Margaret is likely the daughter of Francis Telfer (1809–1895), making her Adam's cousin through his father James Telfer (1796-1863) and Francis being brothers. Verify against the genealogy book pages.

Trove obituary reference: James Telfer (1829-1913)'s obituary lists his sons including "Adam (of Streaky Bay)" — confirming Adam Telfer settled at Streaky Bay, SA

Sources

FindAGrave 201529655: Adam Francis Telfer (1842-1925), born Jedburgh Scotland, died Mitcham SA, buried Mitcham General Cemetery — FindAGrave — accessed 25 May 2026

RootsWeb (moadfamily): Herbert McDougal Telfer (b. 1881 SA), father Adam Francis Telfer, mother Margaret McDougal — accessed 25 May 2026

Trove Article 163105669: James Telfer obituary mentioning sons including Adam of Streaky Bay — accessed 25 May 2026

FamilySearch LZLD-ML2: Adam Francis Telfer (1842-1925) — accessed 25 May 2026