Elizabeth Jeffs

Surname:

Jeffs

Given names:

Elizabeth

Given address:

Household Duties

Sheet No: 131

Town/Suburb:

Palmerston

City/Region:

Otago

Notes:

Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley

Elizabeth Ellen Hosie was born on 14 February 1856 in Strathmartine, Angus, Scotland – the daughter of George Hosie, a linen bleacher, and Margaret Scott.

She emigrated to Otago with her family in 1857 on the Maori and they settled at Waikouaiti, north of Dunedin.

Elizabeth married Benjamin James (known as James) Jeffs, a livery stable keeper, on 15 September 1880 in the Palmerston parish and they had five children.

When Elizabeth signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Palmerston.

They appear to have brought up Elizabeth’s nephew Stanley whose mother died shortly after his birth. (See 91 Annie Hosie).

In later years they moved to Dunedin where James died in 1916 and Elizabeth died on 15 January 1939, they are buried together in the Andersons Bay Cemetery.

'During a residence of nearly 40 years in the St. Kilda district Mrs Jeffs endeared herself to a wide circle of friends, who, through her death, have lost one who could always be relied on for assistance in time of trouble'.