Eliza Stockholm Strawbridge (nee Thomas) (12 Jul 1818 - 9 Oct 1897) (THE ARTIST)

Eliza Stockholm Strawbridge

Eliza Stockholm Strawbridge (nee Thomas) was born on 12 July 1816 at Bristol, St. James, Somerset, England to parents Benjamin Thomas and Harriet Stockholm.

She was christened at St James Priory in Bristol.

Here is me at St James Priory in May 2025. It was "up the hill" from the Castle Precinct.  There were these pretty roses near the priory. The church had a cafe at the back within a new structure.

Eliza’s father Benjamin died in 1825 when Eliza was about seven.

Harriet, Eliza’s mother married John Hartland on 14 October 1830 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

Bristol Reform riots in 1831. Much of the Bristol city centre was burnt.

In 1837, Queen Victoria ascends the throne.

Three years after, Eliza married William Smerdon Strawbridge in August 1840 at Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

1841 - Daughter Eliza Hartland Strawbridge is born at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (Castle Precinct), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. The name Hartland comes from her mother’s second husband that she married named John Hartland.

1841 CENSUS - Living with new husband William at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (Castle Precinct), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England and 1 month old daughter Eliza Hartland Strawbridge. William is listed as an Accountant. They are living with the Hartland family.

Me at the Castle Precinct in Bristol in May 2025.

There was an old board and 1880s ordinance survey map near the precinct.

1843 - Son William Strawbridge is born at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (Castle Precinct), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

William Strawbridge later in life

1845 - Son Edward Strawbridge is born at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (Castle Precinct), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England

1849 - Daughter Mary Strawbridge is born on 3 January 1849 at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (Castle Precinct), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England

1851 CENSUS - Husband listed as an Accountant. Eliza is living at Swanbourne Villa, St James,, Bristol, Gloustershire, England with William and children.

1852 - Eliza arrives in Australia aboard the "Benthinck" in April 1852 with husband William and all children.

Eliza was a colonial artist who conducted a school in her home and taught Edith Cook (later the prominent educationalist Edith Hubbe). Some of Eliza's finely detailed watercolour paintings of flowers and native flora were praised in the London Art Union.   She was known as a flower painter.

Some of Eliza's work remains in the family

William, Eliza’s husband dies on 24 December 1869 at Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia.

I will the following after my decease.

To my dear daughter Eliza my silver fruit knife and ... of poems ... written.

To my dear daughter Mary my gold watch and gold brooch.

To my dear son William my book of Island flowers and Bristol Views and manuscript poems.

To my dear son Edward my photographic album and writing desk.

To dear Henry Partridge my large bible and G Muller ....... [George Ferdinand Muller was Christian Evangelist from Bristol. Müller moved to Bristol on 25 May 1832 to begin working at Bethesda Chapel. Along with Henry Craik, he continued preaching there until his death].

Signed Jan 11th 1896.

Eliza S Strawbridge

Wishanger KI

Eliza died on 9 October 1897 at Wisanger, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia at the residence of her son-in-law Henry Partridge. She died of Dropsy and fracture of the heart and is buried in the Partridge Plot 195 (originally 358 and 359) at a depth of 7 feet.

Eliza's Death Notice

Eliza is buried at the Kingscote Cemetery on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia.

Grave of Eliza Stockholm Strawbridge