Elizabeth Peke
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Peke Davis or sometimes Betty Davis (1803–1848) was a Hawaiian high chiefess, being the hapa haole daughter of Isaac Davis Aikake, the Welsh advisor of Kamehameha I
, who helped him unify the island in 1810. Some might consider her a Princess of Kauai by marriage since her husband was Prince George Kaumualii
.
Tragedy would strike her father in 1810. Aikake was poisoned by the chiefs who disliked the peaceful capitulation of the Kingdom of Kauai, under King Kaumualii
, into a vassal state of King Kamehameha. After his death, his companion, John Young
, looked after Betty and her brother and sister. Two of them were living with him in 1807, and after Davis's murder Young continued to raise them along with his five children James
, her future-brother-in-law
; Fanny, mother of Emma Rooke; Grace
, hānai (foster) mother of Emma; John
, future premier or kuhina nui
; and Jane
, mother of Peter Kaeo
and Albert Kunuiakea, at his homestead at Kawaihae
. In his will, dated 1834, Youg divided his lands equally between all his and Davis's children.
, known as George Prince Kaumualii, the son of King Kaumualii and a commoner. George was five years her senior and a veteran of the War of 1812
. Due to her mother-in-law's status, George was not in line to follow the father as King or even vassal king of Kauai. George was well educated, having been to New England
for an education. The decisive battle was fought near Hanapepe. Here the Kauaian rebels were completely routed. Humehume and Betty were brought to Honolulu, where he died less than two years later. Betty was a widow at age 23. George and Betty had a son in early 1821, but the boy died in February 1823. Mercy Whitney described the burial: "A regular procession of two and two followed the corpse. Going into the fort in which the grave was dug seemed like entering a burying ground, more so than anything I have witnessed since I left America." The fort referred to was Paulaula o Hipo, a former heiau
. The infant was part Hawaiian and part foreign, a veritable conjugation of blood and culture. The only surviving issue of this union was a daughter, born in 1823 prior to their exile. The little girl was named Harriet Kaumualii, following her father's surname. Kawahinekipi Betty and George might have had another daughter in 1821, that was given to another chiefess because George had no desire for a girl.
Betty's second marriage was to Antone Sylva, also known as Antonio Sylva (1807–1887), and this match was childless.
described Betty in 1824: "Betty was more fair, of more European feature and slender make than most of her countrywomen at the age of 25 or 30; more taciturn, thoughtful, sedate, and retiring than others of equal rank and intelligence. She had derived some advantages from the instructions of the missionaries, and manifested some concern for her salvation. But her circumstances differed little from those of the wife of a petty chief of the lowest rank."
She died c. 1848, at the age of 45.
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
, who helped him unify the island in 1810. Some might consider her a Princess of Kauai by marriage since her husband was Prince George Kaumualii
Humehume
Humehume , known by many different names during his time, such as George Prince, George Prince Kaumualii, Tamoree or Kumoree by American writers, was a son of the king of part of the Hawaiian Islands. He traveled widely, served in the U.S...
.
Early life
Betty was born on February 12, 1803 or December 24, 1803, at Waimea, Hawaii Island. Her 45-year-old father, Isaac Davis from Milford Haven, Wales, known as Aikake by Hawaiians, was one of Kamehameha's closest friends and advisors. He was given vast tracts of land and treated like nobility due to his service. Her mother was the chiefess Kualakuna, a distant relative of Kamehameha I, and her father's second wife. She was given the name of Elizabeth and often referred to as Betty or Peke, the Hawaiian version of Betty. She was the youngest sister of Sarah Kaniaulono Davis and George Hueu Davis.Tragedy would strike her father in 1810. Aikake was poisoned by the chiefs who disliked the peaceful capitulation of the Kingdom of Kauai, under King Kaumualii
Kaumualii
Kaumualii was the last independent Alii Aimoku of Kauai and Niihau before becoming a vassal of Kamehameha I of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810...
, into a vassal state of King Kamehameha. After his death, his companion, John Young
John Young (Hawaii)
John Young was a British subject who became an important military advisor to Kamehameha I during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was left behind by Simon Metcalfe, captain of the American ship Eleanora, and along with a Welshmen Isaac Davis became a friend and advisor to Kamehameha...
, looked after Betty and her brother and sister. Two of them were living with him in 1807, and after Davis's murder Young continued to raise them along with his five children James
James Kanehoa
James Young Kānehoa was a member of the court of King Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III during the Kingdom of Hawaii. Sometimes he is confused with his half-brother John Kaleipaihala Young II known as Keoni Ana.-Life:...
, her future-brother-in-law
Brother-in-law
A brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.-See also:*Affinity *Sister-in-law*Brothers in Law , a 1955 British comedy novel...
; Fanny, mother of Emma Rooke; Grace
Grace Kamaikui
Grace Kamaikui Young Rooke was a Hawaiian high chiefess who was daughter of the chief military advisor during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and adoptive mother of a future Queen consort.-Early Life and Marriage:...
, hānai (foster) mother of Emma; John
Keoni Ana
John Kaleipaihala Young II sometimes called Keoni Ana Opio was a politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii, serving as Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands and Minister of Interior.-Early life:...
, future premier or kuhina nui
Kuhina Nui
Kuhina Nui was a powerful office in the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1819 to 1864. It was usually held by a relative of the king and was the rough equivalent of the 19th century European office of Prime Minister or sometimes Regent.- Origin of the office :...
; and Jane
Jane Lahilahi
Jane Lahilahi Young Kaeo was a Hawaiian high chiefess and a daughter of John Young Olohana royal advisor of Kamehameha I.-Early life:She was born in May 1813, in Kawaihae, in the Kohala District, on the Island of Hawaii...
, mother of Peter Kaeo
Peter Kaeo
Peter Young Kaeo Kekuaokalani was a Hawaiian noble and politician of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:Peter was born March 4, 1836 at Paloha, Honolulu on the island of Oahu. His mother was Jane Lahilahi, the youngest daughter of John Young Olohana, the advisor to Kamehameha I, and Chiefess Kaōanaeha...
and Albert Kunuiakea, at his homestead at Kawaihae
Kawaihae
Kawaihae is an unincorporated community on the west side of the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii, north of Kailua-Kona. Its harbor includes a fuel depot, shipping terminal and military landing site. Outside of the man-made breakwall of the harbor is a popular surf spot and the Pua...
. In his will, dated 1834, Youg divided his lands equally between all his and Davis's children.
Marriages
Betty married twice. Her first marriage was to HumehumeHumehume
Humehume , known by many different names during his time, such as George Prince, George Prince Kaumualii, Tamoree or Kumoree by American writers, was a son of the king of part of the Hawaiian Islands. He traveled widely, served in the U.S...
, known as George Prince Kaumualii, the son of King Kaumualii and a commoner. George was five years her senior and a veteran of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Due to her mother-in-law's status, George was not in line to follow the father as King or even vassal king of Kauai. George was well educated, having been to New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
for an education. The decisive battle was fought near Hanapepe. Here the Kauaian rebels were completely routed. Humehume and Betty were brought to Honolulu, where he died less than two years later. Betty was a widow at age 23. George and Betty had a son in early 1821, but the boy died in February 1823. Mercy Whitney described the burial: "A regular procession of two and two followed the corpse. Going into the fort in which the grave was dug seemed like entering a burying ground, more so than anything I have witnessed since I left America." The fort referred to was Paulaula o Hipo, a former heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
. The infant was part Hawaiian and part foreign, a veritable conjugation of blood and culture. The only surviving issue of this union was a daughter, born in 1823 prior to their exile. The little girl was named Harriet Kaumualii, following her father's surname. Kawahinekipi Betty and George might have had another daughter in 1821, that was given to another chiefess because George had no desire for a girl.
Betty's second marriage was to Antone Sylva, also known as Antonio Sylva (1807–1887), and this match was childless.
Later life
Hiram BinghamHiram Bingham I
Hiram Bingham, formally Hiram Bingham I , was leader of the first group of Protestant missionaries to introduce Christianity to the Hawaiian islands.-Life:...
described Betty in 1824: "Betty was more fair, of more European feature and slender make than most of her countrywomen at the age of 25 or 30; more taciturn, thoughtful, sedate, and retiring than others of equal rank and intelligence. She had derived some advantages from the instructions of the missionaries, and manifested some concern for her salvation. But her circumstances differed little from those of the wife of a petty chief of the lowest rank."
She died c. 1848, at the age of 45.