Resource: The Snuffbox, The French Admiral and the Lieutenant's Wife

[joyful_molly]

Another naval gem from the Antiques Roadshow, but this time, the really interesting bit is not some invaluable item found in the attic - it's the story behind it.

Comments

[anteros_lmc]

Awww what a lovely story. And wasn't he a lucky man to have such a devoted wife? Totally agree re google books btw, it's wonderful to have so many original historical resources available online. Ditto archive.org

[joyful_molly]

Yes, it's amazing. Imagine, such a journey at that time, and then living in captivity! I've heard of women following their sweethearts at sea, but this is a first (for me).

Those online resources are a blessing. There's no way I could do any research without them (unless I set up a tent in the library of the NMM, that is).

[anteros_lmc]

No, I haven't heard of any other wives following their husbands to prison. I have a couple of contemporary account of prisoners of war to read here, if I come across anything I'll let you know.

Talking of resources, have you used Access to Archives, the search interface to English and Welsh local archives? You can't view the documents themselves, you have to send for those, but it's an invaluable way to find personal papers and documents. nodbear has turned up some wonderful material for our our Indefatigable research here.

[joyful_molly]

Oh, thanks so much for the tip! :-D No, I've never used it, but that's an amazing source!

[oloriel]

What a wonderful story (and what a delight to be able to reconstruct it)!

[joyful_molly]

It's what I love most about historical research; putting puzzle pieces together and getting a whole new picture. I wish there was some sort of spin-off for the Antiques Roadshow - "Stories behind it". :)

[oloriel]

Perhaps it's good that there isn't one - I think this story would make an awesome historical novel, and without the spin-off show, it hasn't already been "told" to quite so many people :)

[joyful_molly]

I hope somebody will turn this story into a novel. I'd read it! (And I'd rip the head off the first person who'd whine about "Mary Sue" and "OMG would've never happened"...!)

[fiona2001]

Such a sweet story! That's indeed true love! Wish my grandparents would have any items of such naval dignity sitting around... How good of you to do such excellent research!

[joyful_molly]

I've always been more interested in the stories of individual people than big battles. History is rather abstract, but through the eyes of those who've been there, I find it easier to understand and study. Research: great fun! :-D

[zakath_nath]

That's a great story! Thank you.

[joyful_molly]

You're very welcome. I only wish I could find out something about Thomas Innes' later life, but unfortunately, there as nothing.

[eglantine_br]

i love the portrait of Innes. He has such a look of sweet and serious hesitance. Wonder if he and his wife had kids during that time?

Must have been difficult for them.

[joyful_molly]

The portrait is great; it shows the man rather than the officer, I think. I tried to find out what happened to the Innes-family during his captivity and afterwards, but I couldn't find anything. I assume they had children during those nine years; who knows, maybe I'll stumble over something by accident one day. It has happened in the past.

Must have been difficult for them.

Definitely. I can't imagine how it must have been, but what courage and dedication of that woman to undertake such a journey, right in the middle of a war! Truly amazing.