Katherine Ellice
| Katherine Ellice | |
|---|---|
by William Charles Ross R.A.
|
|
| Born |
Katherine Balfour 1813 prob. Scotland |
| Died | 13 April 1864 |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | "Janie" Ellice |
| Known for | diary and paintings |
| Spouse(s) | Edward Ellice |
Katherine Ellice or Katherine Jane [Janie] Balfour (1813 – 13 April 1864) was a British diarist and artist. She is known for a trip to Canada where she was taken prisoner during the Battle of Beauharnois in 1837.
She was born in 1813. She was the second daughter within the eight children of Eglantyne and Sir Robert Balfour. She married Edward Ellice in 1834.
She accompanied her husband Edward Ellice to Canada in the early part of the nineteenth century; they were members of a party led by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham who was to be the Governor General of the Province of Canada. Katherine Ellice studied drawing with Lord Durham's drawing master, Coke Smyth, who gave lessons to Katherine and Lady Durham in Canada. Her pictures include a self portrait of herself on board HMS Hastings (1819). The ship arrived in Canada on 27 May 1838.
She and her sister were taken by surprise and after dressing they were held prisoner during the Battle of Beauharnois. She negotiated with the rebels. They were placed with the Catholic priest and she was allowed to obtain meat and milk from their livestock. On 10 November the British won the battle and the rebel leaders were taken prisoner. Katherine had her diary and sketches she had made of the rebels. Lord Durham had been replaced as governor and Katherine returned to England on 26 December 1838.
Her watercolours depicting her part in the 1837 Rebellion, while she was a resident of Beauharnois, as well as other works representing Quebec, are included in her art album which is now held at the Library and Archives Canada. A copy of her diary is also housed at the Library and Archives Canada.
Her father in law was a serial host for notable visitors to Scotland. In 1859 Katherine served as host when the artist Richard Doyle visited and was given an illustrated diary of a journey to the islands of Rona and Skye.
She died in 1864 and her husband remarried.
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