I am trying to trace Elizabeth Turner’s parents and birth details to expand this interesting branch of the family. Any help or pointers would be great.
Allegedly: Elizabeth, aged 16, the daughter of a ‘respectable Devon Clergyman’ eloped with Hugh Junor Broune (Browne) and fled to Victoria Australia where they married in 1858 And founded a bit of a dynasty with 6 sons and 5 daughters. Hugh J Browne was the son of a Presbyterian minister (b 1829 Edinburgh) and 23 years Elizabeth’s senior. Having farmed cattle in Natal and prospected for gold in Australia, Browne returned to Britain and seduced young Elizabeth And whisked her off to Oz.
In 1891 Hugh and Elizabeth Browne, along with several daughters are found lodging in St Pancras, London, and during their trip they manage to marry off 2 daughters (success!). In the 1891 census, Elizabeth is recorded as having been born in Dieppe France in 1942. This is the only clue I have of her origins.
Ancestry offers a hint here from the 1851 census: Elizabeth Brisla, b 1841 Diappre France, parents John and Ann Brisla, residence Exeter St Paul’s, Devon. This seemed like a link, but I cannot cross reference this Census record anywhere. I suspect the name is a transcription error as ‘Brisla’ does not appear as a surname anywhere.
Whites directory of Devon and Exeter (1850?) does have a reverend John Fisher Turner in Exeter as a potential Father, but he is well documented and had no child called Elizabeth. I’ve had to rule him out.
Fascinating Family the Browne’s, including spiritualism, death by sharks, and the first elected Australian prime minister. But so little info on Elizabeth Turner (Brisla?) and her forebears.
Can anyone help?
Cheers
Drinks
