Hi Everyone
does anyone know the correct meaning of "double dues" in relation to the Parish records. I also
finally think that Daniel Boswells Epitaph was not original to Himself, read below, if somone would help me in this reserch, I would be most grateful.
Wigan Observer and District Advertiser
Saturday 2 September 1905
Betty Marshall known as “ The Donkey Queen” died last week, at Southport Sands, She was not the only local Centenarian. According to the Parish register, in the Churchyard may be found the Gravestone of Husband and wife, who’s joint ages reached two centuries. On it is inscribed
Esther Sherlocker, Died Sep 1786
Robert Sherlocker Died April 16 1802 aged 101 years
Below is the Epitaph
I lodged have in many a town.
And travelled many a year.
But age and death have brought me down.
To my last lodging here.
Throughout 1905 there are articles concerning the fact that Betty Marshall was a Centenarian, then very tragically the sad news of Her sad end. She was born just outside Southport on St Swithins Day 12 August 1804, From the register at Hasall Church. She was Christened Elizabeth Marshall Daughter of Betty and John Wright. She married Thomas Marshall. She was credited with being the very first Person to bring and ply for hire Donkeys along the Southport shore.
Annals Of Southport And District:
A Chronological History Of North Meols
A.D.1086 to 1886.
By E. BlAND. Southport October 1887
1786____September. Died, aged 99, Esther Sherlocker. sixteen year’s later April 16 1802, Her Husband Died, aged 101.Thus their united age covered two centuries. They were “Travellers”, as is proved by the fact that at the funerals, “double dues” were paid.
They were dealers in rabbit skins. On their Gravestone is inscribed:-
“I lodged have in many a town,
And travelled many a year;
But age and death have brought me down
To my last lodging here”.
There is an article in a book named the Marina which goes by the title.
A Walk through Southport, by P. Whittle.
It mentions that many of the gravestones reflect the longevity of the Town.
Esther Sherlocker died sept.1786, aged 99 yeares.
Robert Sherlocker, died April 16, 1802, aged 101 years.
This book was published in 1831, I have now found the article was taken from a paper in the year 1823 Tuesday 8 July
THE KALEIDOSCOPE or Literary and Scientific Mirror.
Also in the year 1826, 29 of May, there was a book published, second addition,
A Guide to Southport, by Thomas Kirkland Glazebrook.
Exstract
“Stronger proof cannot be adduced of the salubrity of this neighbourhood, than a reference to the instances of longevity recorded on the tombstones”.
Esther Sherlocker, Died sept. 1786 aged 99 years’.
Robert Sherelocker,__April.16, 1802__101 yeares.
It is then written that this Man travelled “ many a year” selling rabbit skins, and had saved and bought property. The writer then says “the verse on his grave_stone alludes to this circumstance”.
I lodged have in many a town,
And travelled many a year;
But age and death have brought me down,
To my last lodging here.
Also in 1836 Edward Baines in his book named
History of the county Palatine and Dutchy of Lancaster talks of the aged population of North Meols, again the Sherlockers are the main talking point.
In the Online Parish Records of Lancaster there is a vast history of these Familys above.
Burial 2 Sep 1786 St Cuthbert,
North Meols, Lancs.
Esther Sherlicar_
Age:99
Abode Scarbrick
Notes Double Dues
Buriel 16 April 1802 St Cuthbert's,
North Meols, Lancs,
Robert Sherlicar_
Died 15 April 1802
Age 101
Abode Halsal
This below looks like the full account on the gravestone, it is from the web site
The Sholicar pages the Origin and History of the Sholicar
https://sholicar.wordpress.com/welcome-to-the-sholicar-pages/sholicars-join-here/Extract
The Shirlacker/Shirlackers entries all related to one family group, headed by Laurence Shirlacker. His son, Robert, was a travelling rabbit dealer. Both he and Easter or Esther lived to a great age and their gravestone reads:
Here lieth Jennet
the Daughter of
Robert Sherlocker
She Died the 9 of July 1710
Here lieth the Body of
Easter Sherlocker who
departed this life the of
September 1786 Aged 99 years
Robert Sherlocker died
April 10th 1802 Aged 101
I lodged have in many in a town,
And travelled many a year;
But Age & Death have brought me down
To my last lodging here.
In 1830, William Henney wrote yet another edition of a series of books named
Moral and Interesting Epitaphs, now read this.
On a Traveller
I, that have lodged in many a town,
And travelled many a year,
By age and death am beaten down,
To take my lodging here;
And lay my weary limbs at rest.
Till Christ does call me to be blest.
read this link below, it is from the London Quarterly Review 1839, American Edition. I wonder did Daniel Boswell really lodge from town to town. I do hope someone will be able to offer help, I am looking for information from 1820s through till the 1860s regarding Daniel Boswell.
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3YEfAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA197&lpg=RA1-PA197&dq=i,+that+have+lodged+in+many+a+town,+and+travelled+many+a+year,&source=bl&ots=Lh-NpPsToG&sig=RumMrcvg1qbRjcYPU0IsuKBct6U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-hYPnwqDXAhUnCcAKHcJiBbwQ6AEIUzAG#v=onepage&q=i%2C%20that%20have%20lodged%20in%20many%20a%20town%2C%20and%20travelled%20many%20a%20year%2C&f=false