Elizabeth Simcoe
Elizabeth Simcoe, nee Posthuma Gwillim (1762-1850), was an artist and diarist who lived in both Devon and Canada. Born in Northampton, Elizabeth’s mother died during childbirth and her father had died prior to the birth. This resulted in Elizabeth being taken into the care of her maternal aunt and her husband, Admiral Samuel Graves. Subsequently, Elizabeth was raised in Honiton, Devon. Later in her life, Elizabeth inherited a vast estate near Honiton, where the family constructed their family home, Wolford Lodge.
A Prominent Artist
Marrying John Graves Simcoe in 1782, she accompanied him to Canada during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor in Ontario. Much of Elizabeth’s life was spent in Canada or Devon, where she was responsible for managing the family estate, alongside becoming a prominent artist in both locations. Simcoe’s artwork is predominantly drawings and watercolours, often depicting moments through her travels and life in both places. From these drawings, sketches and paintings, alongside her diary, we gain a powerful insight into Elizabeth’s experiences.
Her Legacy
The Simcoe family returned to Devon in 1796, living in their family seat at Wolford Lodge. She remained an active member of the community and an artist until her death in 1850. Between her involvement in Devon and Canada, her legacy is widespread and can be further explored when researching her works, involving the renovations of Dunkeswell Abbey Church.
A plaque was erected in memory of Elizabeth Simcoe in Dunkeswell Abbey Church on Friday 25 August 1972. Representatives from Canada attended, including the chairman of the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Canada, Ontario’s Agent General in the United Kingdom Ontario’s Provincial Secretary for Social Development and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the John Graves Simcoe Memorial Foundation. Also present was Brigadier Alan G. Cole Great—Great-Grandson of Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe and Mr Joseph Sparkes, Founder Trustee of the Dunkeswell Abbey Preservation Fund.
Understanding Dunkeswell Abbey Church
The South West Heritage Trust is delighted to be working with the heritage consultancy Heritage Arts People on a project with Dunkeswell Abbey Church Trust, called Understanding Dunkeswell Abbey Church. The project, funded by the Pilgrim Trust, is exploring the history, current state and heritage significance of the 19th century church at Dunkeswell Abbey in Devon. Read more