Lady Bethany Twirler 1826-1927
Lady Bethany was a justifiably renowned beauty
when Josiah surprised London society by winning her heart.
To their union she brought an impressive dowry of 25,000 panes
of glass - variously sized - and 4 cwt. (203.2 Kg.)
of sprigs (glazing nails).
In the following years she devoted herself exclusively to
childbirth, sampler embroidery and lace-making - often combining
all three activities.
She is pictured (right) in 1874, with her eldest son Jonah
and grandson James. Lady Bethany made not only the child's
smock but also the tassels on the arms of the chair. Poignantly,
her diary entry for that day records: ' Made eighty-seven
tassels ... four more than yesterday.'
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