Elisabeth Pepys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Pepys
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Elisabeth Pepys in a stipple engraving by John Thomson, after a painting of 1666 (now destroyed) by John Hayls
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Elisabeth de St Michel
23 October 1640 Bideford, Devon, England
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| Died | 10 November 1669 (aged 29) City of London, England
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| Resting place | St Olave's, London, England |
| Known for | Husband's diary |
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Elisabeth Pepys (born de St Michel; 23 October 1640 – 10 November 1669) was the wife of Samuel Pepys. She married him in 1655, just before her fifteenth birthday.
Her father, Alexandre Marchant de St Michel, was born a French Roman Catholic. He later became a member of the Church of England. He married Dorothea, whose father was Sir Francis Kingsmill, in Ireland. Elisabeth was born in or near Bideford in Devon on 23 October 1640. She passed away from typhoid on 10 November 1669.
Elisabeth was also a distant cousin of the writer Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea.
Contents
Samuel Pepys' Famous Diary
Most of what we know about Elisabeth Pepys comes from her husband's famous diary. Samuel Pepys kept this diary between January 1660 and May 1669. Their marriage and relationship are a very important part of his writings.
Their Marriage and Early Life
Elisabeth and Samuel were married on 1 December 1655 at St Margaret's, Westminster. Their wedding was a civil ceremony, meaning it was performed by a Justice of the Peace, not a clergyman. This was a common arrangement during the time of Oliver Cromwell's government. Samuel Pepys remembered the wedding clearly, even recalling that Elisabeth wore a petticoat with gold lace.
Even though their civil ceremony was on December 1st, they celebrated their wedding anniversary on October 10th. This was when a religious ceremony was held, and they began living together. Some historians believe this delay was because Elisabeth was very young.
Life with Samuel and Their Servants
Samuel's diary shows that his feelings for Elisabeth could change often. Their marriage had its challenges. For example, on 25 April 1663, Samuel wrote about Elisabeth learning to dance. He seemed a bit annoyed, saying she thought she was good already, even though he didn't agree. This shows some of the ups and downs in their relationship.
The couple had several servants as their household grew. One of their longest-serving staff members was a 14-year-old servant named Jane Birch. Later, Jane and her husband became their longest-serving staff. As Samuel and Elisabeth became more successful, they hired more people, including a companion maid for Elisabeth.
Jane Birch left their service after Elisabeth complained about her. However, Elisabeth later sought Jane out to re-employ her as a cook. When Samuel Pepys had behaved poorly towards Jane, it was Elisabeth who helped arrange Jane's wedding. Elisabeth even added £20 to the £60 that Samuel gave as a wedding gift. Samuel did not attend the wedding.
Samuel's Feelings After Elisabeth's Death
Samuel's deep affection for Elisabeth is very clear in his letters after her death. He apologized to politicians and naval captains for missing meetings for four weeks after she passed away. He also explained why he hadn't kept up with his letters during her illness. He wrote, "I beg you earnestly to believe that nothing but the sorrow and distraction I have been in by the death of my wife... could have forced me to so long a neglect of my private concernments."
After Elisabeth died, Samuel never married again. Even though he had a long-term relationship with Mary Skinner, he chose not to marry her. When Samuel Pepys died in 1703, he was buried next to Elisabeth, just as he had wished. This shows his lasting love and respect for his wife.
