Elizabeth Simcoe (c. 1762 – 1850)
Library and Archives Canada, no. 1972-118-2
Born Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim in England (the exact date, as well as the exact place of birth, are uncertain), she was orphaned as a baby and lived with her uncle, Admiral Graves, and her aunt Margaret. She married her uncle’s godson, John Graves Simcoe, when she was sixteen.
In 1791, her husband was appointed the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, and they made the trip from England. After spending some time in Quebec and then Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), she reached York on 30 July 1793. In 1796, her husband was given a leave of absence, and the Simcoes left for England, never to return to Canada.
Throughout her time in Canada she kept a diary and produced many sketches and watercolour paintings of her surroundings.
