Eliza Grey

Eliza Lucy Grey, Lady Grey (; 17 December 1822 – 4 September 1898), was the daughter of British Royal Navy officer Captain Sir Richard Spencer and Ann, Lady Spencer. She was the wife of Sir George Grey.

Early life Elizabeth Lucy Spencer was born 17 December 1822 near the Cobb in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. thumb leftIn 1833, her father was knighted and appointed Government Resident at Albany, Western Australia on the recommendation of Sir James Stirling. On the 12th of May 1833, the Spencer family departed Plymouth upon the storeship HMS Buffalo, loaded with plants, livestock, farm implements, stores and servants. They reached Western Australia in September of that year.

Her father purchased the Government Farm (known as Strawberry Hill Farm), and she resided there with her parents, seven brothers and two sisters. They lived in a pise cottage until, in 1836, the current two-storey stone house was built adjoining the older home.

When her father became ill, Eliza and her sister Augusta helped with clerical work. Later that year on 16 October 1839, Eliza's brother Horatio Spencer, along with another teenage boy, were killed by a falling tree. During the voyage, on 16 February, Eliza gave birth to a boy, who was named George, after his father.

After some time in South Australia, in 1845 Eliza travelled with George to New Zealand onboard the Elphinstone where he was Governor of New Zealand till 1853. George Grey died on 19 September in London, having been nursed by Eliza during his last illness which lasted for 18 months. Eliza, however, pre-deceased him by 14 days. She was 75 years old.

Following an attack of influenza Eliza suffered