Elizabeth was born in Netherbury just after her family moved into the property on Bridge St that used to be a shop and is now part of "The Redes". Unlike her sisters Sophia and Anna Hanna neither Elizabeth nor her younger sister Harriet married and it is assumed they worked alongside their mother Betty in the shop.

By the time of the first proper census in 1841 an 88 year old Betty is recorded as head of the household (as Elizabeth Shire) with her two remaining daughters Elizabeth and Harriet. This is also the first actual record of the shop because Betty has "Shop M" entered as her "Profession, Trade or Employment", although at 88 it is probable that Elizabeth and Harriet were doing most of the work.

Betty died aged 92 and it would appear that the two sisters carried on the business with the listing "Shier Misses Eliz. & Harriet, shopkprs" appearing in the 1849 PO Directory for Dorsetshire & Wilts. They are recorded as running the shop in several other trade listings and the 1851 census.

Elizabeth died in 1852 aged 67 and was buried in Loders alongside her parents John & Betty.