Author: Volunteers

It was common in the middle of the eighteenth century for women to accompany their soldier husbands on campaigns.  This strong lady lived a full and long life and produced a large family.

“On Monday last, in her 99th year, Elizabeth Roberts, wife of the late Hugh Roberts, of Chester, who served many years in the Third Regiment of Foot. She was an eye witness to five different engagements her husband had been in. Her strength did not fail her to the last, for she was able to walk out on the Saturday before her death. She had 13 children, and has left behind her, now living, 2 children, 33 grand children, and 18 great grand children.”

Stamford Mercury 4th July 1806.

The sorry tale of a husband convicted of poisoning his new, young wife.

“On the 28th June an inquest was held before Sam. Smith, gent. Coroner, at Boddington, in Northamptonshire, upon view of the body of Mary Haynes, who died on the Tuesday preceding, from the effect of poison, as appeared in evidence upon the inquest; but owing to some very material investigations necessary to be make, to the illucidation of the case, the Court was adjourned until Friday last, when a verdict was returned of wilful murder against the husband, for administering the poison. – This couple had only been married about ten weeks, were both young, and placed in opulent circumstances.”

Stamford Mercury 19th July, 1805.