Elizabeth Oliver

Role: Wife of Robert Telfer (1803–1878)
Born: ~1807 — likely Roxburghshire, Scotland
Died: 1846 (aged ~39) — Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland

Family

Family Stories

A Quiet Life in Liddesdale

Elizabeth Oliver was born around 1807 and married Robert Telfer, one of the younger brothers of Francis Telfer who would later emigrate to South Australia. Unlike Francis, Robert and Elizabeth stayed in Scotland, living in Newcastleton in the Liddesdale valley where the Telfers had been for generations.

The 1841 Census Snapshot

The 1841 Census for Newcastleton gives us a rare clear window into Elizabeth's life. The entry reads: "Robert Telfer 36, and Betty 34 with children, Elizabeth 7, James 5, Jean 3, and John 2, also James aged 75, and Betty Hutton 65 of Newcastleton."

So in 1841, Elizabeth (recorded as "Betty") was living with Robert at age 34, with four young children under eight. Also in the household were Robert's elderly parents — James Telfer (75) and Betty Hutton (65) — making it a multi-generational home. This tells us that Elizabeth not only raised her own children but likely helped care for her aging in-laws as well.

A Short Life

Elizabeth died in 1846 at around 39 years old, leaving Robert a widower with four children to raise — the oldest just twelve. She never lived to see the next chapter of the Telfer story, when some of the next generation would follow Uncle Francis to Australia. Her children — Elizabeth, James, Jean, and John — carried on the family name in Scotland, and some of their descendants would later make the journey to the new world.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.18)

Sources

• 1841 Census, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire — records Robert Telfer (36), Elizabeth/Betty (34), and children Elizabeth (7), James (5), Jean (3), John (2), plus parents James Telfer (75) and Betty Hutton (65)
• From the Borders to the Bush by Hope Simmons (1989), p.18
• Castleton Parish Records, OPR 784/1 — baptism records for Telfer children