Isabella Kelly

Born: abt 1825, Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died: 6 Jul 1867, Virginia, South Australia (aged 42)
Buried: 9 Jul 1867, Kenlew Primitive Chapel, Virginia, South Australia
Spouse: David Parker (1822–1888) (m. 9 Aug 1846, Barony, Lanarkshire)
Ship: Martin Luther, arrived Adelaide 4 May 1852

Family

Life Summary

Isabella Kelly was born about 1825 in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the daughter of Henry Kelly and Elizabeth Hunter. Her father died in May 1836, when she was a child.

She married David Parker on 9 August 1846 at Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland, aged about 21. In the 1851 Scotland Census the couple were recorded at Wallace Street, Wallacetown, St Quivox, Ayrshire — David as a victualler (licensed innkeeper), Isabella aged 24, with their infant son William.

The family emigrated to South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship Martin Luther, arriving in Adelaide on 4 May 1852, with three children by then.

She was the mother of nine surviving and recorded children with David Parker. Two of her sons were named Hugh — the first born in November 1859, who died in infancy in December 1861, and a second born in 1864 after the first had died. Both were named for David's own father, Hugh Parker.

She died on 6 July 1867 at Virginia, South Australia, aged 42, and was buried there three days later on 9 July 1867 at the Kenlew Primitive Chapel. Her death was registered in the Port Gawler district (book/page 28/31), with her husband David named as the informant relative and Virginia given as both residence and place of death.

Her widower David married Clementina Minto four years later, on 20 June 1871 at Adelaide.

Timeline

Sources

Verification note (19 Oct 2026): The death fact (6 Jul 1867, Virginia SA, aged 42, district Port Gawler 28/31) now rests on two independent source groups — the South Australian civil death registration (as transcribed) plus the WikiTree/FindAGrave compiled records. The 1851 Scotland Census entry independently places her in Ayrshire with David and infant William in 1851. Birth year remains approximate and is stated as such.