Eliza Ann Sucker, Free Settler "Woodbridge" 1838

Eliza Ann STACE  was born on 2nd September 1822 at Northiam in Sussex. She was baptised on 16th July 1826 at Poynings Holy Trinity Church in Sussex.  Eliza was three (3) years old at the time and was baptised with her older sister, Mary (SFHG, 2007).

On 15th September 1838, Eliza arrived in Sydney on board the Woodbridge with her family. On arrival, Eliza was a nursemaid and engaged to the service of Mr Davison from Sydney. The shipping records indicated that she was of the Episcopal faith.

In her younger years, Eliza was a servant girl at “The Rose, Shamrock & Thistle Inn” at Morpeth. The following is an exert from the Maitland Mercury, Saturday 20th September 1845;

HAVING found the £10 note in my own house that I imagined I lost in the “Rose, Shamrock and Thistle” Inn, Morpeth, and about which I spoke to Mr. Day, the Police Magistrate, I regret that any imputation should have been cast on the Inn, or the servant girl, Eliza Stace. R.L. PATTISON

19th September 1845.

On 20th January 1848, Eliza Ann Stace married John Sucker at Hinton. John was ten (10) years her senior. On their wedding day he was 36 years old, while Eliza was only 25.

Eliza and John had two (2) boys and three (3) girls and raised their family in Morpeth. These children included Robert James, Henry William, Frances Elizabeth Jane, Dephie Mary Jane and Frances Harriet Sucker.

On 3rd March 1900, Eliza Ann died in the ‘Crown & Anchor’ Hotel of Morpeth at the age of 77. This was ten (10) years after John has passed away and they are buried in the Church of England Cemetery at Morpeth.