Amidst the construction of a new church, Rev. Dr. Luke Booker navigated a life filled with both public responsibilities and personal tribulations.
This narrative unveils the tale of his third spouse, Elizabeth.
From the intricacies of marriage settlements to the trials of maternal mortality, Elizabeth Booker’s story resonates with both the triumphs and tragedies of early 19th-century life.
Born in 1794, Elizabeth Grant hailed from distinguished lineage as the great niece of Lord Milford. Following the early loss of her father, Lord Milford assumed responsibility for her upbringing and education.
Picton Castle, residence of Lord Milford
In October 1818, Booker, aged 56, proposed to 24-year-old Elizabeth. This union marked his third marriage, having recently lost his second wife, Phyliss Ann, just 17 months previously. Phyliss Ann, had died aged 28, “in the prime of life, after enduring a long and painful illness with Christian resignation, lamented by all who knew her”1. She left two sons, Edward, aged 5 at the time of her death, and baby Alfred who had just turned one. Sadly, Arthur also died, just shy of his second birthday, in January 1818.
Booker’s proposal to Elizabeth faced opposition when Lord Milford declined consent, citing financial concerns. Writing to his solicitor, Lord Milford stated “I trust you will not flatter her with any hope of my consent to her union with Dr. Booker until it can be found that he has an equivalent to settle upon her”2. At the time, marriage settlements were pivotal for safeguarding a bride’s assets, a necessity as married women had no legal right to own their own assets until 1882.
However, Booker, seemed to act on a principle of act now, ask forgiveness later – or at least negotiate terms later.
He married Elizabeth on 3rd November 1818 without Lord Milford’s knowledge or approval, and then had to embark on a journey to secure her financial future.
Having no property of his own, Booker resorted to insuring his own life for £2000, and so was able to persuade Lord Milford to reinstate Elizabeth’s allowance of £100 per year, and leave her £4000 in his will.
Tragically, Elizabeth’s dreams of security were cut short when she passed away in January 1827, a month after the birth of her sixth child, Eliza Jane. Given the maternal mortality rates of the time, it is not unreasonable to assume that she never recovered from this birth. The death notice of Rev. Dr. Booker’s ‘lovely and beloved wife’ Elizabeth was published nationally.
Of these six children, four survived her, although Eliza Jane sadly died at the age of 2, and her only surviving son, Phillips Grant Booker, died at the age of 18. Despite the sorrow of her untimely death, Elizabeth’s legacy lived on through her surviving daughters, Catherine and Mary, who went on to marry and raise families of their own.
1. 28th May 1817, Hereford Journal
2. The English Reports Volume XXXIX, Chancery XIX, 1904.
"The Life and Losses of Rev. Dr. Luke Booker"
Rev. Dr. Luke Booker's story is one of family, tragedy, and reflection. Surpassing his father's four marriages and 13 children, Booker took four wives and had 14 children over his lifetime. However, only five survived into adulthood, and just one wife lived past 32 - a harsh reality of life in 19th-century Dudley. In 1830, Booker published "Tributes to the Dead," a collection of epitaphs, reflecting on the fragility of life, particularly in infancy and youth.
Right click on the image below to open the Booker Family Tree in a new window.
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Posted 02nd September 2024
Part of the Mysteries & Hidden Histories category
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