Elizabeth Beattie

Born: 1802 (Roxburghshire, Scotland) | Died: 1891 (Scotland) | Spouse: James Telfer (1796–1863) | Father: ? (Beattie family) | Mother: ?

Matriarch of the Telfer family. Mother of the Telfer siblings who emigrated to South Australia and established pioneer families across the colony.

Family

Life Summary

Elizabeth Beattie was born in 1802 in Scotland, likely in the Roxburghshire region. She married James Telfer (1796–1863) and together they raised a large family in the Scottish Borders. Many of their children emigrated to South Australia, founding pioneer families in Tantanoola, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, and Mitcham.

Her children include James (1829-1913), Margaret (~1829-?), Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832-1896, who married John Charles Dillon), Jean, Robert (1835-1907), Isabella (~1837-?), John (1840-1913), Adam (1842-1925), and Agnes (~1848-?).

Note: Earlier versions of this profile incorrectly listed Susan Burton Telfer (Robert's wife) and Anne/Henry Telfer as children. These have been corrected to match the children confirmed in James Telfer (1796–1863) file and the Southdean Churchyard headstone inscription.

Timeline

Sources

• James Telfer (1796–1863) — husband, confirms children list
• John Telfer (1840–1913) — son
• Robert Telfer (1835–1907) — son
• Elizabeth Beattie Telfer (1832–1896) — daughter
• Approved Tantanoola Telfer Report (processed report, May 2026)