Elizabeth "Betty" Hutton Telfer (1774–1853)

Role: Scottish matriarch — mother of Francis Telfer (1809–1895) and grandmother of the Australian Telfer branch
Born: 1774 — likely Roxburghshire / Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Died: 4 April 1853 (aged 78–79) — Castleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Buried: Old Castleton Cemetery, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Maiden Name: Hutton

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Family

| Relation | Name |
|----------|------|
| Spouse | James Telfer (1761–1845) (m. ~1795) |
| Son | James Telfer (1796–1863) |
| Daughter | Isobel/Isabella Telfer (1798–1875) — m. Hunter |
| Child | Adam Telfer (1799–) |
| Daughter | Margaret Telfer (1802–1884) — m. Armstrong |
| Son | Robert Telfer (1803–) |
| Son | John Telfer (1805–1839) |
| Son | Francis Telfer (1809–1895) (1809–1895) — emigrated to South Australia |
| Son | William Telfer (1811–1881) |

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Life Summary

Elizabeth "Betty" Hutton was born in 1774 and married James Telfer around 1795 in the Castleton / Liddesdale area of the Scottish Borders. She and James raised at least eight children at the family farm in Castleton parish, Roxburghshire.

Her maiden surname is confirmed by the Scottish Statutory Death Index registrations for her children — William Telfer's death entry records mother's maiden surname as "Hutton". This same surname appears in the WikiTree profile for her son Francis Telfer (Telfer-400), linking her as the mother of the Australian immigrant branch.

Betty outlived her husband by eight years. She died in April 1853 and was buried alongside James at Old Castleton Cemetery in Newcastleton.

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Timeline

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| 1774 | Born — likely Roxburghshire / Dumfriesshire, Scotland |
| ~1795 | Married James Telfer |
| 1796–1811 | Raised eight children at Castleton, Roxburghshire |
| 19 Dec 1845 | Husband James died |
| 4 Apr 1853 | Died (aged 78–79) — Castleton, Scottish Borders |
| | Buried — Old Castleton Cemetery, Newcastleton |

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Photos

> Elizabeth "Betty" Hutton Telfer (1774–1853) — headstone at Old Castleton Cemetery, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders
> Source: FindAGrave — Elizabeth "Betty" Hutton Telfer — accessed 27 May 2026

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Notes

• Parents unknown — Betty Hutton's own parents have not been identified. The spelling "Betty" is likely a diminutive or middle name for Elizabeth. Her maiden surname is confirmed through her son William's Statutory Death Index entry.


• Hutton surname origins: The Hutton family belongs to the Scottish Borders region (Dumfriesshire / Roxburghshire). The surname is ancient in the area, meaning "farm on the spur of a hill."


• WikiTree reference: The profile for Betty's son Francis Telfer (Telfer-400) lists her as mother. WikiTree profile Hutton-601 also links Betty Hutton to James Telfer (though it links to the Ayton Berwickshire James Telfer, Telfer-1041 — this may be conflated).

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Sources

• FindAGrave: Elizabeth "Betty" Hutton Telfer — memorial 170769934, Old Castleton Cemetery. Includes headstone photo. Accessed 27 May 2026.


• FindAGrave: James Telfer (1761–1845) — spouse, same cemetery. Accessed 27 May 2026.


• WikiTree: Francis Telfer (abt.1809–1895) — confirms mother as Betty Hutton. Accessed 27 May 2026.


• FindAGrave: William Telfer (1809–1888) — son; Statutory Death Index records mother's maiden surname "Hutton". Accessed 27 May 2026.


• Vault reference: James Telfer (1796–1863) — lists Mother as Betty Hutton (1774–1853). Created 24 May 2026.

Links

• James Telfer (1761–1845) — spouse


• Francis Telfer (1809–1895) — son, immigrant to SA


• James Telfer (1796–1863) — eldest son


• Family Tree