Born on 26 December 1825 at Chelsea, England, Elizabeth Gregory married Edward Allen in 1849 at Stepney, England. Elizabeth and Edward produced at least two children in England: Eliza b. 28 June 1850 in Stepney, London (died 17 July 1853 and buried at Geelong East) and Edward b. 28 Feb 1852 Stepney, London. There may have been another child Alfred born around 1844 in London. The family arrived in Victoria on the Earl of Charlemont which was wrecked off Barwon Heads 18 June 1853. They lived in Ashby (near Geelong) for about 12 months before travelling to the Ballarat goldfields. 

Edward was said to be the first cooper on the Ballarat goldfields and definitely worked later as a cooper in Smythesdale. He also made a fancy flower basket crowned with a suitable floral design, the whole exterior of which was composed of beetles. He estimated that more than a hogshead of beetles was used. This was made for the Duke of Edinburgh on his 1867 visit and was to be presented on his tour of Smythesdale but the good Duke was running late and did not stop. The basket was forwarded to Ballarat but it is not known if the Duke received it. A model of a two roomed cottage was on show at the Old Curiosity shop in Ballarat also made of beetles. It is not known what type of beetle was used.

Children born in England were followed by: Elizabeth Simmonds Allen b. 30 August 1854 Ballarat (baptised 24 December 1854 at Wesleyan Chapel Ballarat ); Alice b. 1856 Ballarat; Susan b. 1858 Smythe’s Creek; Thomas b. 1861 Smythesdale; Ellen Catherine b. 1864 Smythesdale; and William b. 1868 Smythesdale and John Andrew b. 6 January 1872 Smythesdale. 

Elizabeth died in 1914 in North Carlton and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. Edward died in Ballarat in 1902 and was buried in Ballaarat Old Cemetery. 

Notes from Margaret Roberts, Woady Yaloak Historical Society