Elizabeth Paton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Paton
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Aird Farm
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| Born | 1760 Tarbolton, Scotland
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| Died | 1799 Scotland
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| Occupation | Servant and then housewife |
| Children | Elizabeth Burns |
Elizabeth "Betsey" Paton (1760 – c. 1799) was from Aird Farm in Ayrshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of James and Eleanor Helen Paton. Betsey worked as a servant at Lochlea Farm, where she met the famous poet Robert Burns in 1783–84.
In May 1785, Betsey gave birth to Robert Burns's first child, a daughter named Elizabeth "Bess" Burns. The baby was baptized just two days after she was born. When the Burns family moved to Mossgiel Farm, Betsey returned home. Robert Burns visited her there later that year. In 1786, Elizabeth received money from Burns from the sales of his Kilmarnock Edition poems.
Life and Family
Elizabeth Paton married John Andrew, a ploughman, on February 9, 1788, in Tarbolton, Scotland. They had four children together. Elizabeth was known as a very good housewife. She likely passed away before 1799, as John Andrew remarried that year.
Robert Burns's youngest sister, Isabella Begg, described Elizabeth Paton as a strong and independent person. She was a favorite of Burns's mother because of her frank and honest nature.
Connection to Robert Burns
Elizabeth Paton gave birth to Robert Burns's first child. Burns's mother hoped he would marry Elizabeth. However, his brother Gilbert and his sisters did not agree with this idea. As a result, Burns had to pay a fine and take part in a public church penance.
When his daughter, "bonnie Betty," was born, Burns showed great fatherly love. He wrote a poem called "A Poet's welcome to his 'Love-begotten Daughter'." In this poem, he welcomed his sweet baby girl. He wished her to have her mother's good qualities. He also hoped she would have his spirit but without his mistakes.
It is thought that Elizabeth Paton might have inspired parts of Burns's song "The Rantin' Dog." Some lines in his first Commonplace Book from September 1784 also seem to be about her.
In his 1784 song "O Tibbie, I hae seen the day," Burns might have been talking about Elizabeth. He described a "lass beside yon park" whom he preferred. However, he never directly confirmed this.
Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop (May 22, 1785 – January 8, 1817) was Robert Burns's first child. Her mother was Elizabeth Paton. Elizabeth married John Bishop, who was a land agent and also an innkeeper. They had seven children together. Elizabeth passed away at the age of 32. She may have died during childbirth.
As a child, Elizabeth Bishop lived at Mossgiel Farm. She was cared for by Burns's mother until Robert Burns died. After that, she went to live with her own mother, Elizabeth Paton, who was then married to John Andrew. When Elizabeth turned 21, she received money that had been collected to support Burns's family.
When Robert Burns thought about moving to Jamaica, he made plans for his brother Gilbert. He wanted Gilbert to use the money from his poems to raise Elizabeth as if she were his own child.
See also
- Jean Armour
- Alison Begbie or Elizabeth Gebbie
- Nelly Blair
- May Cameron
- Mary Campbell (Highland Mary)
- Jenny Clow
- Nelly Kilpatrick
- Jessie Lewars
- Ann Park
- Peggy Thompson
- Isabella Burns
