Elizabeth & Elizabeth

Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams is a novel based on the story of two women who were prominent figures in the early European settlement of Sydney. Both Elizabeths were married to dominant men - Governor Lachlan Macquarie and John Macarthur.

Lachlan Macquarie was governor of the Colony of NSW from January 1810 until February 1822. During that twelve years, the settlement changed from a collection of ramshackle buildings to a town with planned streets and architectually designed public buildings. It was no longer just a convict settlement but also a community for free settlers to live - those who had arrived from overseas and decided to make their home in the colony plus the convicts who had served their sentence. He also ensured that emancipists (former convicts) were actively involved in the new colony and were treated as equals with free settlers. Elizabeth Macquarie actively supported the changes that were made to improve life in the Colony.

John Macarthur arrived in NSW as an officer in the army and stayed. After been given large land grants he specialised in establishing sheep farming in the Colony. He also became actively involved in political issues and on two occasions returned to England in order to defend himself for some of his actions, including his involvement in the plot to remove Governor Bligh from office. In his absence Elizabeth Macarthur successfully ran and expanded the family business. 

During Macquarie's time in NSW both the Elizabeths became friends and supported each other in their endeavours to improve life in the Colony, particularly when not everyone (including John Macarthur) approved the changes introduced by the Macquaries.

Although a work of fiction, the book is based on historical fact and provides a picture of life in the Colony at the time. The names of many of the inhabitants of Sydney appear throughout the book including Simeon Lord, my great x 3 grandfather. The novel also explores how women at the time could play an active part in business and community activities but needed to ensure that their activities were not seen to usurp the role played by their husbands.

Other books on this period include:

A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville (novel about Elizabeth Macarthur)

Mrs M by Luke Slattery (novel about Elizabeth Macquarie)