Stepney, Elizabeth (c. 1827–1863)
Elizabeth Stepney née Elizabeth Boyle (c.1827-1863)
Birth: About 1827, Edinburgh, Scotalnd. Marriage: She had a daughter before her marriage to Edward Stepney on 26 August 1861 in St Luke’s Church Adelaide, South Australia. They had two sons. Death: 26 January 1863 at Adelaide Hospital. Cause of death was given as 'Febris' (fever).
- in January 1853 she took three of her neighbours to court after one of them (Mrs Pridgett) remarked about the 'very dirty state' of Stepney's house and that if she had a 'mulatto' child like hers she would 'cut her throat'. A physical fight then ensued between the women and two of Pridgett's relatives. The Pridgetts were fined one shilling each plus costs. During the trial it was stated that Elizabeth had three children — it seems only one with Stepney.
- in June 1854 she was fined 40 shillings and costs after she fought with another neighbour, who was also married to a man of 'colour', and annoyed her by always commenting about the dusky colour of her (Stepney's) children while admiring the whiteness of her own.
- she was aged 36 when she died on 15 January 1863 at Adelaide Hospital, according to her death certificate.
Additional Resources
- takes three neighbours to court after they assaulted her during an argument, Adelaide Observer, 8 January 1853, p 5
- is fined 40 shillings plus costs for fighting with a neighbour, South Australian Register (Adelaide), 22 June 1854, p 2
- Stepney is again in court after breaking the woman's windows and door; says she will go to prison rather than pay a fine, Adelaide Observer, 1 July 1854, p 11
- is acquitted of stealing from a neighbour, Adelaide Observer, 8 November 1856, p 4
- is fined one pound for using abusive language to Elizabeth Bootman who had gone to visit Stepney to enquire about a missing goose, South Australian Register, 4 May 1857, p 2
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Stepney, Edward (husband)
- Stepney, Andrew Stuart (son)
- Stepney, Edward (son)
Citation details
'Stepney, Elizabeth (c. 1827–1863)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/stepney-elizabeth-32495/text40324, accessed 2 June 2023.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Boyle, Elizabeth
Birth
c.
1827
Edinburgh,
Mid-Lothian,
Scotland
Death
15 January,
1863
(aged ~ 36)
Adelaide,
South Australia,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.