Isabella Tyler was the younger half-sister of Ann Chappelle, who married Matthew Flinders in 1801. Fourteen years younger than Ann, she lived with her for most of her life and never married.

Isabella left a short memoir of approximately 2,800 words which is held in the National Maritime Museum (NMM) Greenwich, UK. It contains much interesting information about her own life and that of her sister, including detailed descriptions of various events, such as the Flinders’ wedding in 1801, Isabella’s visit to the Investigator in Sheerness later that year, the enforced separation of the newly married couple, Matthew Flinders’ return to England in 1810, his death and funeral in 1814, and an account of her subsequent life with her mother, her sister Ann and her niece Anne, daughter of Ann and Matthew.

I am working on a book which will include the full text of this memoir plus various letters between various members of the Flinders family and other relatives and friends, with a biographical essay on Isabella and the family background.