Miss. Elizabeth Finlay Webb
The Maidstone Private School Teacher

The nondescript unmarked grave in the foreground is located in the Church of England section of the Footscray Cemetery. It is the final resting place of Miss. Elizabeth Finlay Webb & her sister Mrs. Hannah Stevens Nee Webb.

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Elizabeth was born on the 30th December 1835 in Newington, Surrey, England to William Thomas Webb & Elizabeth Esther Webb Nee Bride.

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Elizabeth, together with her parents and siblings Agnes Elizabeth, William Richard, Richard James, Hannah & James, arrived in Victoria from Southampton, England in 1857.

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In about 1877, Elizabeth opened the Maidstone Private School (No 791) in her private residence located in Hill Street (now Baird Street) between Richelieu Street & Thomson Street, Maidstone.

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Elizabeth continued to operate the school until her death in 1909.

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She was a regular worshipper at the Maidstone Church of England. An impressive memorial service preached by Rev. George Godbehear was held in the church to honor Elizabeth’s life. A large crowd of her old friends listened to a well-deserved exordium on the deceased lady's exemplary life & service to the local community.

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Elizabeth is one of many pioneering women whose contribution in the establishment of the district’s early schooling has been loss to history.

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1905    Hill St    Webb, Miss Elizabeth Finlay - School
1907    Hill St    Webb, Miss Elizabeth Finlay - School
1908    Hill St    Webb, Miss Elizabeth Finlay - School
1909    Hill St    Webb, Miss Elizabeth Finlay - School

 

Ref: Footscray Independent 10th July 1909 Page 2.

Ref: Sands & McDougall Directors.

Photo: Sunshine & District Historical Society