Elizabeth Beattie (1802-1891)

Born: 1802 (Roxburghshire, Scotland) | Died: 1891 (Scotland) | Spouse: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Father: ? (Beattie family) | Mother: ?

> Matriarch of the Telfer family. Mother of the Telfer siblings who emigrated to South Australia and established pioneer families across the colony.

Family

| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Self | Elizabeth Beattie |
| Spouse | James Telfer (1796–1863) |
| Child | James Telfer (1829–1913) |
| Child | Margaret Telfer (~1829-?) |
| Child | Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832–1896) |
| Child | Robert Telfer (1835–1907) |
| Child | Jean Telfer |
| Child | Isabella Telfer (~1837-?) |
| Child | John Telfer (1840–1913) |
| Child | Adam Francis Telfer (1842–1925) |
| Child | Agnes Telfer (~1848-?) |

Life Summary

Elizabeth Beattie was born in 1802 in Scotland, likely in the Roxburghshire region. She married James Telfer (1796–1863) and together they raised a large family in the Scottish Borders. Many of their children emigrated to South Australia, founding pioneer families in Tantanoola, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, and Mitcham.

Her children include James (1829-1913), Margaret (~1829-?), Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832-1896, who married John Charles Dillon), Jean, Robert (1835-1907), Isabella (~1837-?), John (1840-1913), Adam (1842-1925), and Agnes (~1848-?).

Note: Earlier versions of this profile incorrectly listed Susan Burton Telfer (Robert's wife) and Anne/Henry Telfer as children. These have been corrected to match the children confirmed in James Telfer (1796–1863) file and the Southdean Churchyard headstone inscription.

Timeline

| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1802 | Born in Scotland |
| ~1826 | Married James Telfer (1796-1863) |
| 1828-1848 | Birth of children in Roxburghshire |
| 1891 | Died |

Notes

Year of birth varies between 1802 and 1803 in different records. The approved Tantanoola Telfer report confirms 1802 as the primary date.

The Southdean Churchyard headstone lists seven children by name: Elizabeth, James, Margaret, Jean, Robert, John, Adam. The 1841 census adds Isabella. Vault records suggest up to 11 children — the remainder may have died in infancy.

Elizabeth Beattie is the WIFE of James Telfer (1796-1863), NOT his sister. Her parents are the Beattie family of Castleton, Roxburghshire — the Telfer line through James Telfer (1761-1845) and Betty Hutton are her in-laws, not her birth family.