X-Nico

6 unusual facts about Elizabeth Simcoe


Elizabeth Gwillim

Elizabeth Simcoe née Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim (1762–1850), artist and diarist in colonial Canada

Elizabeth Simcoe

She was born Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim in the village of Whitchurch, Herefordshire, England, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gwillim and Elizabeth Spinckes.

Margaret married Admiral Samuel Graves on June 14, 1769 and she grew up at Graves's estate, Hembury Fort near Honiton in Devon.

While her husband was at council meetings in Newark, Elizabeth Simcoe spent much of her time in the company of Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) and his wife, Lady Dorchester.

Scarborough Bluffs

The Bluffs were named after Scarborough, England by Elizabeth Simcoe, the wife of John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada.

Whitchurch, Herefordshire

Whitchurch Township in Ontario was named by Simcoe after the birthplace of his wife, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim.



see also

York County, Ontario

It is likely named for Whitchurch, Herefordshire, birthplace of Elizabeth Simcoe and wife of John Graves Simcoe.