Euphemia Catherine Hope, or Phemy (pronounced Feemy), the third child and second daughter to Thomas and Alice Hope, was born on 24 July 1838 at Jedburgh, Roxburgh, Scotland. Acco
According to Scottish Naming Tradition, the second-born daughter was named after her paternal Grandmother and sadly, we are yet to confirm if this is the case for Euphemia - we have 2 "contenders" for her paternal grandmother but neither of them are called either Euphemia or Catherine. Research is continuing...
The 1841 Census Return noted that Euphemia was living with her family at East Lodge, Traquair, Peeblesshire, Scotland - which is the Gamekeepers Lodge, at Kailzie House, Peeblesshire.
The 1851 Census Return, recorded Euphemia as a "scholar", at age 13 and living with her family at 83 Castle Street (AKA Castlegate), Jedburgh.
Euphemia was 18 years of age when the family arrived in Australia and according to the Immigration papers, she left the S.S. Atalanta on 30 June 1856 with a Mr and Mrs Litchfield and was listed as a "domestic servant". Nothing more is heard about Euphemia until her marriage to Thomas Francis Laidlaw at Naracoorte. The young couple made their home at "Prospect" near Dergholm, in Western Victoria. Euphemia died 6 August 1914, aged 77 years at "Wamboola", her son-in-law's home near Strathdownie in Western Victoria.
Thomas Laidlaw was born on 4 July 1841 in Jedburgh and arrived in Australia just one year after the Hopes emigrated. Did the couple know one another back in Scotland? Thomas died 20 January 1924, aged 83 years. Both Euphemia and Thomas Laidlaw are buried at the Casterton Cemetery in the "Hope" section.
According to Mrs Mary McLean of Casterton, Thomas and Euphemia Laidlaw selected their property near Dergholm, in far Western Victoria in 1876 and named it "Prospect". They were ardent Presbyterians with Thomas Laidlaw being a committee member when the Dergholm Presbyterian Church was built and opened in 1898. The Laidlaw home at "Prospect" was a home for ministers of all denominations. It is interesting to note that the Undertaker who certified the burial of Euphemia's mother, Alice Hope, was T. F. Laidlaw.
A New Testament which belonged to Euphemia's mother is still in the possession of this family. Alice Hope received it as a gift from Adam Smith of Hynam.
Following is a type-written copy of Euphemia Catherine Laidlaw's Will:
"This is the last Will and Testament of me Euphemia Laidlaw of Prospect in the Parish of Roseneath County of Follett State of Victoria married woman I give devise and bequeath unto my husband Thomas Francis Laidlaw of Prospect all my real and personal estate and I hereby appoint the said Thomas Francis Laidlaw sole executor of this my will as witness my hand this twenty fourth day of June one thousand nine hundred and seven...Euphemia Laidlaw...Signed and acknowledged by the said Euphemia Laidlaw the testator as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us being present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the word "said" above line written before signing.
H. Watson and H. S. Watson."
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Thomas Hope (father)