Elizabeth Simcoe's Biography

Named after her mother, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was born in 1762* to Elizabeth Spinckes and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gwillim. Her mother, widowed seven months before the birth of their only child, died shortly after their daughter’s birth. To commemorate the ill-fated death of her mother, Elizabeth Gwillim was given the middle name Posthuma. Elizabeth’s mother was buried at Aldwincle the same day as Elizabeth’s baptism. Her mother’s younger sister Margaret, who married Admiral Samuel Graves in 1769, cared for the young orphan.
In 1782, Elizabeth met the Admiral’s godson John Graves Simcoe. The two were married that same year.

* There seems to be some question surrounding the date of Elizabeth's birth. Some sources quote the year 1766.

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Named after her mother, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was born in 1762* to Elizabeth Spinckes and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gwillim. Her mother, widowed seven months before the birth of their only child, died shortly after their daughter’s birth. To commemorate the ill-fated death of her mother, Elizabeth Gwillim was given the middle name Posthuma. Elizabeth’s mother was buried at Aldwincle the same day as Elizabeth’s baptism. Her mother’s younger sister Margaret, who married Admiral Samuel Graves in 1769, cared for the young orphan. In 1782, Elizabeth met the Admiral’s godson John Graves Simcoe. The two were married that same year.

* There seems to be some question surrounding the date of Elizabeth's birth. Some sources quote the year 1766.

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