Isabella Smail 1843–1916

Isabella Smail was born in Sydney in 1843. This early photograph shows nearby Circular Quay, it was taken in 1871

Early photograph of Circular Quay

2nd Great-grandmother – Maternal mother’s line of Randall Family

When Isabella Smail was born on 25 December 1843, in Sydney, New South Wales, her father, James, was 30 and her mother, Jessie, was 31. She married James Cowan on 17 September 1863, in South Grafton, New South Wales. They had seven children in 16 years. She died on 29 January 1916, in Grafton, New South Wales, at the age of 72.

Place holder for birth details.

Isabella was born on 25 December 1843, in Sydney, New South Wales to Jessie Cumming, age 31, and James Smail, age 30.

Half Fan Chart showing Isabella Smail's immediate ancestors

Isabella’s father James, passed away on 15 March 1860, in Redfern, New South Wales, at the age of 46. James Smail (1813–1860)

Place holder for marriage details.

Isabella married James Cowan on 17 September 1863, in South Grafton, New South Wales by James Collins, Presbyterian Minister.

The consent of Jessie Smail, the bride’s mother, was given to the marriage of her daughter, Isabella Smail, with James Cowan, because Isabella was under the age of 21 years. At the time of their marriage Isabella was described as a Lady and James was a Storekeeper.

Fan chart showing the Children of James Cowan and Isabella Smail

Children of James Cowan and Isabella Smail

  • Jessie Alexandrina Cowan was born in 1865;
  • William Cowan was born in 1867;
  • Our direct ancestor Isabella Marion Cowan was born in 1869 in Grafton, New South Wales;
  • James Cowan was born in 1871 in Grafton, New South Wales;
  • Archibald Cowan was born on 7 June 1874, in Grafton, New South Wales;
  • Ethel B Cowan was born in 1878; and,
  • Clarabell Cowan was born in 1881.

Death of Husband: Her husband James passed away on 15 January 1881, in South Grafton, New South Wales, at the age of 40. They had been married 17 years. James Cowan (1840–1881)

Death of Brother: Isabella’s brother James died on 13 July 1893, in South Grafton, New South Wales when Isabella was 49 years old. James Smail (1840–1893)

Death of Mother: Isabella’s mother Jessie passed away on 28 August 1894, in South Grafton, New South Wales, at the age of 82. Jessie Cumming (1812–1894)

Death of Sister: Isabella’s sister Janet Cumming Smail died on 27 June 1909, in Grafton, New South Wales when Isabella was 65 years old.

Death of Brother: Isabella’s brother Robert Smail died on 9 December 1909, in New South Wales when Isabella was 65 years old.

Place holder for death details.

Isabella Smail died on 29 January 1916, in Grafton, New South Wales, when she was 72 years old.

Reviewed and updated on 2 September 2022

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