Macquarie and his family
To our infinite joy and delight Doctor Redfern delivered [Elizabeth] two minutes before 12 OClock at Night of a remarkable fine Boy …’
Lachlan Macquarie, 1814
Elizabeth Macquarie, c. 1819Elizabeth, Macquarie’s wife, was actively involved in colonial life. She took an intelligent interest in architecture and design and laid down the plan for the road running through the Government Domain to the point named after her. She was involved in the design of the Female Orphan School and the twin towers of St John’s at Parramatta.
As a patron of the Benevolent Society and the Female Orphan School, Elizabeth was genuinely concerned for the plight of the underprivileged. Her charitable works also included an interest in the welfare of Aboriginal children through her involvement with the Native Institution at Parramatta.
Elizabeth resolutely supported her husband’s policies. Despite recurring ill health she accompanied him on six of his often-arduous tours. To Macquarie she was his ‘beloved Elizabeth’. In 1814, after six miscarriages, she gave birth to their much longed-for son whom they named Lachlan. Both parents doted on the little boy.
Lachlan Macquarie. Memoranda and Letters (ML A 772)
Macquarie’s son was born on 28 March 1814. In this extract from his Memoranda book he describes the birth.
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