Died 1886 | ||
Lucy Beeton (born 14 May 1829; died 1886) was an Aboriginal/Jewish teacher and businesswoman of Tasmania. She was born in Vansittart Island. Her father, Thomas, was of Jewish ancestry and her mother Aboriginal. Early in life her father was separated from them due to a plan for an "Aboriginal settlement" he could not be part of. Later they reunited. An aspect of this is unlike some who took Aboriginal wives her father held a reported devotion to his family and petitioned to the Governor for a reunion. On being reunited he taught her about business and boats and helped her to have the best education available. She went on to be called "larger than life", in part because she weighed 140 kilos, and the 'Queen of the Isles'. She established a school on Badger Island and petitioned the government to fund a teacher. A scholarship is named for her. She also had a role in business. She never married and was actively a Christian.