Elizabeth (Thomas) Criddle, Free Settler “Eleanor” 1837

Article from the Western Mail 6/2/1909 nb: This indicates she is a native of Kent. Her husband William was, but according according to her grand daughter Audrey Lipple, she was born in Bristol. DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST. 213 DESCENDANTS SURVIVING. The death is announced of Mrs. William Criddle, sen., one of the oldest inhabitants of Dongara. The deceased was a native of Kent, England, and had been for upwards of 70 years a resident of this State, having arrived in Western Australia during the " thirties," last century. She was one of the pioneer settlers of the Greenough Flats, and in the course of her life there had not only passed through most of the troubles and hardships incidental to life in that district in the early days of its settlement, but had personally experienced several of its dangers. Mrs. Criddle had known what it was to be attacked by wild natives in those far-off days. On another occasion, when the Flats were visited by one of the periodical floods to which it has been subjected, Mrs. Criddle was one of those who were washed out of their homes, and for several days her only place of refuge from the waters was a haystack. Her husband, to whom she was married in 1840, predeceased her about 30 years ago. Her health seriously failed her some two years ago, and for the greater part of that time up till her death she had leen unable lo leave her bed. On Wednesday week, the 27th ult., she passed away at the ripe old age of 87 years, greatly beloved and respected. Five sons and four daughters survive, namely, Messrs. William Criddle (Guildford), James and George Criddle (Dongarra), Thomas Criddle (Greenough), and John Criddle (Nangeenan); Mrs. D. Brand, Mrs. O'Connor, and Mrs. G. Carter (Dongarra), and Mrs. F. Hope (Onslow). Besides these there are 86 grand- children and 118 great-grandchildren, or, in all, 213 surviving descendants. The funeral was largely attended, and the body of the deceased lady was interred in the Anglican Cemetery, the Rev. E. Gill officiating. The pall-bearers were Messrs. E. W. Clarkson, F. N. Pearse, M. J. Rowland, and F. Waldeck. A large number of wreaths were sent by friends and relatives.