Elizabeth Sinclair

Elizabeth Sinclair was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 26 April 1800. Known as "Eliza", Eliza married Captain Francis W. Sinclair (1797–1846) of the Royal Navy on 13 January 1824. ==New Zealand==

The Sinclairs moved to New Zealand, arriving in 1841; they settled in Pigeon Bay in 1843. Eliza's husband and her oldest son George disappeared at sea in 1846 during a business trip headed towards Wellington. Her husband was carrying all the family's cash and produce supplies. After their disappearance, Eliza and her five remaining children were left to survive on their own. Eventually, with her children marrying and producing grandchildren, the Sinclairs needed more land, and Eliza's son Francis helped plan a new voyage towards that end. They sold their property in New Zealand and sailed to the Pacific Northwest of North America with the goal of acquiring property in British Columbia. ==Pacific Northwest==

In early June 1863, the Bessie arrived in Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island. The Sinclairs found the land wild and undeveloped with thick forests, making the effort required to clear land for agriculture close to impossible with their limited labor and resources. Eliza set her sights on California, but an acquaintance named Henry Rhodes recommended that they avoid the rough oceans during the winter as it would make anchorage difficult. Rhodes suggested that they sail to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) instead, since his brother lived in Honolulu. The Sinclairs agreed, and they boarded the Bessie one last time. ==Hawaii==

At the age of 63 years, Eliza led 13 members of her family to Hawaii, arriving in Honolulu Harbor on 17 September 1863 on the vessel Bessie which has become an important record of the Hawaiian flora. The illustrations are of plants from Kauaʻi and Niʻihau islands. == Descendants ==

Her descendants continue to run the island of Ni'ihau under their private ownership. == References ==