Lucretia was the eldest of fourteen children born to Mr & Mrs William Smallpiece Whitington and his wife, who came from England to Australia in their own vessel, the New Holland, in 1840. (Two of the children apparently died as babies.) Her father's occupations are listed as merchant, farmer and broker (Biographical Index of South Australians), and the 1880 Directory describes him as a mining agent. They lived for a while at Balhannah, and at 'Surrey Farm, Sources of the Onkaparinga'. Her father imported the first thoroughbred horse and mare, together with other pedigree stock, to the colony. He also introduced the first steamer to Port Adelaide. The family later lived in Moseley St, Glenelg.
Lucretia was crippled, and spent much of her time reading and writing. She claimed to be 'the first Australian-born South Australian poetess', but little is recorded of her life. Her brothers became prominent members of the community. Peter was Commissioner of the Audit, Arthur became Secretary of the SA Jockey Club, Richard was a schoolmaster in Brighton, George was a solicitor and Frederick became an Archdeacon in the Church of England in Tasmania.
