A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Bury, (Elizabeth)
Has been characterised as a person of uncommon parts, ready thought, quick apprehension, and proper expression. She was always very inquisitive into the nature and reason of things, and thought herself obliged to any who would give her instruction.
In common conversation, she had often sharp turns, and ready replies, which were softened with such an ingenuous air, that they could very seldom be resented. In writing letters, she had a great felicity of expression; and was thought so close and pertinent, that her correspondence was greatly valued by some of the brightest minds, even in distant countries. She studied philology, philosophy, history, ancient and modern, heraldry, the globes, mathematics, and music, vocal and instrumental. She learnt French, chiefly to converse with French refugees, to whom she was an uncommon benefactress; but especially applied herself to Hebrew, which, by long application and practice, she rendered so familiar and easy, as frequently to quote the original, when the true meaning of some particular texts of scripture depended upon it. She made critical remarks on the idioms and peculiarities of that language, which were found among her papers after her decease.
Another study which she took much pleasure in was anatomy and medicine, being led and prompted to it by her own ill health, and a desire of being useful to her neighbours. But, however she amused herself with these, her constant and favourite study was divinity, especially the scriptures; having, from her childhood, taken God's testimonies for her counsel. But notwithstanding all her knowledge and unusual attainments, in so many professions, faculties, kinds of literature, and important truths of religion, she always confessed and bewailed her own ignorance, saying that she knew little in comparison of what others did, or what she ought to have known.
She was very charitable to the poor, sparing no pains nor expence, in her widowhood, to carry on her designs for the relief of miserable families exiled for religion; for erecting charity schools; for the maintenance of ministers and candidates, and for a stock of bibles and practical books to be distributed as she should see occasion. She very much approved of every one's devoting a certain part of their estates to pious and charitable uses; "for then," says she, "they will not grudge to give out of a bag that is no longer their own." She was very exemplary in her devotions, and would often say she wondered how people could, by any omission of duty, deprive themselves of one of the greatest privileges allowed us. She rose every morning at four o'clock, from the eleventh year of her age; and at five, if sickness or pain did not prevent her, during the latter part of her life.
She carefully endeavoured to improve the day in company and conversation with her friends; was always well furnished with matter of useful discourse, and could make very happy transitions from worldly to serious talk; but would often complain of the loss of much precious time, in giving and receiving visits, and say, she could not be satisfied with such a life, wherein she could neither do nor receive good, but must keep to her closet and her book.
Her first marriage was to Griffith Lloyd, Esquire, of Hemmington Grey, in Huntingdonshire, 1667, in the 23d year of her age. He was a gentleman of good reputation and estate, of great usefulness to his country, whilst in the commission of the peace; and afterwards as a reconciler of differences, and common patron of the oppressed. They lived happily together about fifteen years.
Her second marriage was to Mr. Samuel Bury, a dissenting minister, 1697. At the 77th year of her age, after a short illness of a few days, she left this world without either sigh or groan, and with a pleasant smile on her countenance. Dr. Watts wrote an elegy on her death, in which he speaks of her in the highest strain of praise.
She left behind her a large Diary, which Mr. Bury, her husband, abridged and published. Amongst her miscellaneous papers were the following discourses: Meditations on the Divinity of the Holy Scriptures. The several Farts of the Creation. The Extent, Efficacy, and Mystery of Providence, A Believer's Union with Christ. His Communion with his own Heart, His walking with God. His regulating his Thoughts, Speech, and Actions. The whole Duty and Happiness of Man. The grand Treasure of all Scripture Promises. The Unreasonableness of Fretting against God. The Mansion of the Soul of Man. The Resurrection of the Body. Critical Observations in Anatomy, Medicine, Mathematics, Musick, Philosophy, and Rhetorick.