Jean Murray
Biography
Role: First wife of Francis Telfer (1809–1895) — mother of his first three children. Arrived SA 1838.
Born: 1810 — Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Died: 22 January 1839 — Emigration Depot, Adelaide, South Australia
Buried: Adelaide, South Australia
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Francis Telfer (1809–1895) |
| Son | James Telfer (1832–1845) — died aged 13 |
| Daughter | Esther Jane Telfer Smith (1834–1909) — went to NSW |
| Daughter | Elizabeth Hannah Telfer Farrow (1836–1916) — stayed at Tarlee |
Life Summary
Jean Murray was born in 1810 at Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She married Francis Telfer around 1831 in Scotland and bore three children — James (1832), Esther (1834), and Elizabeth (1836) — all born in the Scottish Borders and Skye regions.
The family emigrated to South Australia aboard the Prince George, departing London in September 1838. Jean travelled with Francis and their three young children. A fourth child, John (the baby), was born during the voyage but died at sea.
They arrived at Port Adelaide on 26 December 1838 after a voyage of approximately 14 weeks. Jean died just 27 days later at the Emigration Depot in Adelaide on 22 January 1839 — likely from the combined effects of the arduous voyage and complications from childbirth.
Her death left Francis a widower with three small children under the age of 7.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1810 | Born — Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, Scotland |
| ~1831 | Married Francis Telfer (1809–1895) in Scotland |
| 1832 | Son James born in Scotland |
| 21 May 1834 | Daughter Esther Jane born at Skye Isle |
| 1836 | Daughter Elizabeth Hannah born in Scotland |
| Sep 1838 | Departed London on Prince George |
| 26 Dec 1838 | Arrived Port Adelaide, South Australia |
| 22 Jan 1839 | Died — Emigration Depot, Adelaide (aged ~28) |
Sources
- Source: Donald Telfer, From the Borders to the Bush (ISBN 0 7316 6387 X), pp. 21–22 — extract via vision_analyze 18 June 2026
- FindAGrave: Jane "Jean" Murray Telfer (1810–1839) — confirms Prince George arrival 26 Dec 1838 with Francis and children. Accessed 18 June 2026.
- WikiTree: Murray-18251 — profile for Jean Murray Telfer. Accessed 18 June 2026.
Tags
Spouse
- francis-telfer-1809
Children
- James (1832–1845)
- esther-jane-telfer
- elizabeth-hannah-telfer