Elizabeth did not arrive in America on the same ship as her twin sister and other family members. The ship's name is unknown at this time. She did not live with father William and the family in Massachusetts, but took up residence with her older half brother Richard in Virginia. Her son William Golding, however, is named after her father, and her son Richard is named after her older brother Richard.

The Ripley family in Virginia was established by Richard Ripley, son of William, who arrived some years before the main family group. Richard and this half-sister Elizabeth seem to have remained distant from the main family group. There are indications of a family rift, which may roughly follow the lines of marriage - and the first three wives - of William Ripley. This rift is further suggested in the stark and simple will of William, who mentioned only a very small number of the members of his family.

The Virginia roots of the Ripley family is not nearly as well documented as the Massachusetts founders of the Ripley family in America. Hence, many approximated and unknown dates are found in this family line.