Elizabeth Oats/Oates was born in about 1834. She was the youngest daughter of Thomas Oats and Mary Davy. Her father was a Tin Dresser of Boscaswell.
She was baptised on 11 May 1834 at St. Just in Penwith, Cornwall[1].
Her mother Mary probably died in 1838.
1841 UK Census
Boscaswell, St Just, Penzance, Cornwall, England:
Household Members | |||||
Name | Sex | Age | Birth Year | Profession | Birth Place |
Thomas Oats | Male | 50 | 1791 | Farmer | Cornwall, England |
Mary Oats | Female | 20 | 1821 | - | Cornwall, England |
Jane Oats | Female | 17 | 1824 | - | Cornwall, England |
Thomas Oats | Male | 15 | 1826 | - | Cornwall, England |
William Oats | Male | 12 | 1829 | - | Cornwall, England |
Honor Oats | Female | 9 | 1832 | - | Cornwall, England |
Elizabeth Oats | Female | 7 | 1834 | - | Cornwall, England |
Her father Thomas died in 1845.
In the UK Census of 1851 Elizabeth Oats (aged 17 and unmarried) was recorded in the household of her widowed sister Mary Nankervis (aged 30 and a House Keeper) at Boscaswell, St Just, Penzance, Cornwall, England. Also in the household was Mary's son Thomas Nankervis (aged 7 and a Scholar).
Elizabeth emigrated from England to New Zealand travelling on the ship Westminster, most likely in Steerage, sailing from London on 13 October 1857 and arriving into Lyttelton, Canterbury on 9 January 1858. Also on the ship was her unmarried sister Honour Oats, her married sister Jane Lawry and her husband Francis Lawry (along with their four children), her married brother Thomas with his wife Mary Ann and their infant daughter, who was born on the ship, Mary Jane[2]. There were no funds available from the Colony in assistance towards their passage, so they would have had to pay their own fares.
"The Westminster made a fast run to Lyttelton, arriving there after a remarkably fine passage on the 9th January, being only 88 days port to port. The passengers spoke highly of the comforts provided on the ship. Among the 110 souls on board were the Rev. James and Mrs. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Gould, Messrs. Moorhouse, Bonner, Wincop, Burton, Mrs. Biggs and family, and others whose names are still honoured in Christchurch. After discharging passengers and cargo, the ship sailed for Wellington and Nelson, arriving at the latter port on the 6th March, 1858."[3] There were two deaths on the ship; Gladden and Davis (both infants) and one birth, being her niece Mary Jane Oats[4].
The following was published on Page 4 of the Lyttelton Times dated 21 November 1857:
Elizabeth and her family settled in Kaiapoi. Sadly her brother Thomas died on 14 December 1859. Her widowed sister in law Mary Ann returned to England with their daughter Mary Jane.
On 6 October 1860 her sister Honour Oats married William Belcher (a brickmaker of Kaiapoi). Elizabeth was a witness to the marriage, signing the register with an "X" meaning she was illiterate.
She met William Alexander, who may have been her employer. They had at least two illegitimate sons:
They were subsequently married in 1862 at Kaiapoi, with her married sister Honour Belcher and brother in law William Belcher as witnesses. William Alexander stated he was a sailor, aged 25; Elizabeth stated she was aged 26. It was noted that both parties had been resident at Kaiapoi for two years. Honour and Elizabeth both signed the register with an "X" meaning they were both illiterate.
They went on to have at least eight more children after their marriage, some of whom died quite young.
On 2 February 1874 her widowed sister Mary Ellis and some of her children arrived in Canterbury on the ship Isles of the South.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote. In the 1896 and 1906 New Zealand, Electoral Rolls (1853-1981) Elizabeth Alexander (domestic duties) was recorded living at Kaiapoi with her husband William who was a Storekeeper. They lived on a freehold section.
Her husband William died on 26 October 1904, aged 68.
Elizabeth's Last Will and Testament was dated 20 September 1907 in which she appointed her son Charles Edward Alexander and married daughters Elizabeth Jane Simmonds and Rosina Land her Executor, Executrixes and Trustees. She signed it in a shaky hand.
She had been suffering for about 2 years from Cancer of the Uterus when she passed away at Kaiapoi on 23 February 1908 at the age of 74. Elizabeth was buried on 25 February 1908 with her husband at Kaiapoi Anglican Cemetery, Kaiapoi, Waimakariri District, Canterbury, New Zealand[6]. PLOT: 580
Elizabeth had 7 children (4 males and 3 females) surviving when she passed away. The informant upon her death was her son in law, Edmund George Land of Kaiapoi. Her Estate was valued at less than £1,800.
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Categories: St Just in Penwith, Cornwall | Westminster, sailed 13 October 1857 | New Zealand Colonists