Eliza Courtney

Elizabeth Courtney was born on 20 February 1792 in Aix-en-Provence, France. She was the illegitimate daughter of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who later served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, née Spencer. At the time of her birth, Georgiana was married to William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and was compelled by her husband to relinquish her child shortly after birth. Elizabeth was raised by her paternal grandparents, Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey, and Elizabeth Grey, in Northumberland, England. She was not included in the social circle of the Devonshire household in London, and her mother visited her secretly during her lifetime. Georgiana Cavendish maintained a sporadic and clandestine correspondence with Elizabeth, and regarded her as her daughter, although she was not acknowledged publicly as such during her mother's life.

Elizabeth's maternal relatives included her maternal aunt Henrietta Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough. In 1806, Elizabeth's mother Georgiana died, after which Elizabeth learned of her parentage. Her name reflects a connection to her maternal family; "Courtney" was an extinct surname derived from her great-uncle William Poyntz, who married Isabella Courtney, a co-heiress of the Courtney family of Trethurfe and Tremeer. Elizabeth's full name included her maternal lineage.

In her early years, Elizabeth was brought to Northumberland, where she was adopted by her paternal grandparents. Unlike her mother's legitimate children, she was not raised within the fashionable London social scene. An 1808 visit by her maternal aunt, Lady Bessborough, noted Elizabeth as a well-behaved and attractive girl, but also observed her apparent emotional distress, indicating her marginal social position. Elizabeth was not informed of her true parentage until after her mother's death in 1806.

In 1809, Elizabeth's "quasi-sister," Lady Hannah Althea Grey, married Edward "Bear" Ellice, a merchant and politician. On 10 December 1814, Elizabeth married Lieutenant Colonel Robert Charles Ellice in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Robert Ellice was the younger brother of her brother-in-law Edward Ellice and son of Alexander Ellice, a partner in the firm Phyn, Ellice & Co., with ties to North America. Robert Ellice had a notable military career, rising from ensign to general, and served in South America, participating in the capture of Buenos Aires. He also served as acting Governor of Malta from 13 May to 27 October 1851.

Elizabeth and Robert Ellice had at least four children. Their son Robert was born on 1 January 1816 and married Eglantine Charlotte Louisa Balfour in 1853. Robert Ellice died on 19 December 1858. Their descendants included Major Edward Charles Ellice, a Liberal Member of Parliament for St Andrews Boroughs, and his family, which inherited the Ellice estate at Invergarry.

Their first daughter, Georgiana Ellice, was born on 12 October 1817, and married Hugh Horatio Seymour in 1846. Elizabeth Georgiana Ellice, another daughter born in 1818, married Henry Bouverie William Brand in 1838. Her husband was later created Viscount Hampden, and her descendants include the Duchess of York and her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Their second son, Charles Henry Ellice, was born in 1823 in Florence. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot, held senior military positions such as Quartermaster-General and Adjutant-General to the Forces, and married Louisa Caroline Lambton. He died in 1888.

Elizabeth Courtney died on 2 May 1859 at the age of 67. She was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, with her address listed as Queen's Hotel, Norwood, and 2, Cadogan Place, London.

Her genealogy links her to notable British aristocrats and military figures, and her descendants include prominent figures in British royalty.