The daughter of a prosperous-enough middle-class farming family in Devon, Elizabeth Veale received an upbringing and an education that stood her in good stead during her long existence in New South Wales as Mrs. John Macarthur.

The absorption of traditional, female and Christian virtues in her youth enabled Elizabeth Veale, first, to raise her numerous family and maintain their endeavour in the colony during the periods when her husband’s impetuous involvement in public affairs led to his having to absent himself in England; and later, to contribute to the maintenance and extension of their prosperity.