Logo for Elizabeth Clarkson
Elizabeth Clarkson was born in 1834 in the English County of Lancashire. She married John Poulton on 1 May 1854 at Preston. Their first child (Thomas) was born a year later but died in infancy.
Their second son (John) was still in nappies when John and Elizabeth decided to leave England and emigrate to Australia. This was a decision made by numerous young couples in the area in the 1850s. The young couple emigrated from Liverpool on 13 November 1859 aboard Fitzjames. They were accompanied on their voyage to Australia by John’s sister (Hannah) and her husband John Ashworth.
It was, however, a tragic journey due to the death of their young toddler John en route to Sydney. It must have been a heavy burden for both parents to bear, particularly Elizabeth who was in the advanced stages of pregnancy.
The two young families arrived in Sydney on 20 February 1860 and soon found lodgings in Redfern. John and Elizabeth’s daughter, Alice Clarkson Poulton, was born there six weeks later.
Ten years after their arrival in Australia, Elizabeth left the family and disappeared from history.