Author: Bigsby, Sophia Mary
Biography:
BIGSBY, Sophia Mary, later SMITH (b 1809: ancestry.co.uk)
She was the youngest child of Robert Bigsby (d 1825), an attorney who was the registrar of the archdeaconry of Nottingham, and his second wife, Sophia Bray. She had a half-sister, Dorothy, and a brother, Robert, who became an antiquary. She was born on 2 Feb. 1809 at Pilchergate House, Nottingham, and baptised on 7 Feb. at St. Mary’s church. Nothing is known about her early life or education. On 22 Sept. 1831 her son, Robert Wymond Bigsby, was baptised in Kegworth, Leicestershire. Her 1854 RLF application mentions a daughter, born in about 1833; no record has been located for her. Robert’s baptismal record gives only his mother’s name, indicating that she was not married. On 14 Mar. 1839 she married Samuel Smith, a chemist, at St. Peter’s, Nottingham, where her uncle was the rector. They moved to London where in 1844 she published by subscription The Eastern Princess and Other Poems: Together with Wahlberg; the preface, dated from Southwell, Nottinghamshire, refers to her “severe domestic affliction and bereavement.” Information from her RLF application indicates that she was deserted by her husband in about 1842 and one letter recommending her for assistance refers to his gambling addiction. In 1854 she was living at 2 Kendall St., Nottingham, and working as a music teacher and maker of artificial flowers. Her son had been a reporter but suffered ill health and partial loss of his sight. The RLF awarded her £15. No other records or trace of her have been located. (ancestry.co.uk 15 Feb. 20-23; findmypast.co.uk 15 Feb. 2023; ODNB (for Robert Bigsby) 15 Feb. 2023; RLF file 1341) SR