Elizabeth Hannah Telfer

Role: Second daughter of Francis Telfer — matriarch of the Farrow line at Hope Farm, Tarlee
Born: 7 June 1836 — Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Died: 8 October 1916 (aged 80) — Tarlee, South Australia
Buried: Tarlee Cemetery (beside husband)
Spouse: Charles Farrow (~1836 – Dec 1884) — m. 28 March 1856
Ship: Prince George — arrived Port Adelaide 26 December 1838 (aged 2)

Family

Children (all born at Hope Farm, Tarlee)

Life Summary

Elizabeth was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland to Francis Telfer and Jean Murray. She was just two years old when the family sailed for South Australia on the Prince George, arriving at Port Adelaide on 26 December 1838. Her mother Jean died at the Emigration Depot barely a month later.

She grew up at Chain of Ponds and Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills. On 28 March 1856, aged 19, she married Charles Farrow at her family's home on Section 6146, Parra Wirra. The ceremony was performed by Rev. William Vercoe, witnessed by A.B. Murray and P.M. Murray — Elizabeth's uncles.

They settled at Hope Farm, Finniss Point, near Tarlee — 152 acres Charles had bought from John Ridley for £319/4. Charles had walked from Kersbrook to Tarlee weekly carrying food, then built a small stone cottage by hand with an axe.

Elizabeth was described as a "very kind and most gracious lady, always quick to help anyone in need." She was a foundation member of Tarlee Baptist Church. After Charles died of pneumonia in 1884, she ran the farm with her sons for over three decades.

Her father Francis Telfer came to stay with Elizabeth at Hope Farm before his death on 2 September 1895, and was buried at Tarlee Cemetery.

She died on 8 October 1916, aged 80, and was buried beside Charles.

Family Stories

The Bull at Tuppeny Well

Not long after Charles bought Hope Farm, he was walking there on a hot Monday. About two miles south of Tarlee on the eastern side of the main road was a shallow well called "Tuppeny Well" — the owner charged tuppence to water bullocks and horses. An irate bull came up for a drink. There were no trees nearby, so Charles climbed a six-to-seven-foot whip post used to draw water and sat there until dark when the bull wandered off. Then he walked the remaining six miles home.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.59)

The Fire of 1865

On Saturday, 25 March 1865, fire destroyed the Farrow cottage. The roof was gone, part of the front wall collapsed, and most of their belongings. Amos Flavel's diary recorded it: "Mr Farrow helping put out the fire but the roof was destroyed & part of the front wall of the house & a very great deal of other things."

Charles rebuilt — a larger house with a galvanized iron roof and guttering. It was still standing when the Tarlee reunion was held on 2 December 1984.

(From the Borders to the Bush, pp.59–60; Amos Flavel Diary, 25 Mar 1865)

The Water Walk

During a long dry summer, the rainwater tanks at Hope Farm ran dry. With three small girls to care for, Elizabeth would tie baby Elizabeth Telfer Farrow to the kitchen table leg with a leather strap, take Jane (age 5) and Esther (age 3), and walk 14 miles to Deep Creek to carry back water for the family's daily washing.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.61)

Charles's Last Night

On 2 December 1884, Charles returned home from his rounds travelling the district with his draught stallion for mating. He was wet through from heavy showers. He told his son Charles Junior to put the horses away: "I am feeling very ill."

That night he became much worse. Elizabeth woke Charles Junior to ride to Kapunda for the doctor. The doctor arrived around 4am and promised to return that afternoon. Charles Farrow died just before the doctor got back — pneumonia, in the days before penicillin.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.62)

Tarlee Baptist Church

In June 1868, the Farrow home hosted the founding meeting of Tarlee Baptist Church. Charles was appointed Deacon and lay preacher, serving for over 16 years. The Minute Book recorded after his death:

"This Church deeply mourns the death of Brother Farrow Senior and desires to record the Church's appreciation of his devoted labours in the cause of Christ among us."

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.63)

Ashley Cooper's 80th Birthday

Ashley Cooper, born in 1908, was the grandson of Elizabeth's daughter Esther Farrow. He worked for the Adelaide Steamship Company as an auditor, travelled to coastal shipping centres, and during WWII was transferred to Perth to oversee merchant ships used as troop carriers. He travelled extensively in the Flinders Ranges — Parachilna, Beltana, Moralana — and wrote a book on the history of Beltana. He suffered a stroke but kept typing one-fingered. He celebrated his 80th birthday in March 1988.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.68)

Sources

• Note: The book header lists Charles Farrow as (1837–1876) and the family tree as (1828–1876), but the narrative clearly states he died in December 1884 — 32 years before Elizabeth's 1916 death. The detailed story (Dec 1884, pneumonia) is taken as accurate over the header dates. Born ~1836 based on being age 19 when buying the farm in Nov 1855.
• Source: Donald Telfer, From the Borders to the Bush (ISBN 0 7316 6387 X), pp. 58–75 — extract via OCR 19 June 2026
• WikiTree: Elizabeth Telfer (1836–1916) (NOTE: previously linked to Telfer-590 which is Agnes Telfer — corrected 21 Jun 2026)
• Oz Burials: Tarlee Cemetery — Elizabeth Farrow, 11 Oct 1916 (aged 80) — headstone transcription
• Find a Grave: Elizabeth Telfer Farrow (1836–1916) — Memorial 184343892 — confirms birth 3 Jun 1836, death 11 Oct 1916