Isabella Anne Down was born on October 12, 1833, the eldest daughter of James Foote Dow and Jane Taylor Dow.

James Dow, an engineer arrived in Australia from Dundee in 1843. With him on the ship was his home, which he had brought to Melbourne in pieces.

Soon he had put the home together again in Bourke Street, Melbourne and started work at the Port Philip Foundry. Later, in partnership with William Langford and John Dutch he became the owner of the foundry.

In 1847, his wife and four daughters Isabella Anne, Margaret, Helen and Alice arrived in Melbourne aboard the barque Anne Milne.

Later, another daughter Elizabeth was born. (1)

1. P. Vestey, David Mitchell A Forfar Man, Pamela Vestey, Coldstream, 1992 pg 7.