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- 2 sons 1 dau.
Ian Currie "I quote below a typed extract from Mary Ann's journal, sent to me by Phil Nicholson, a direct descendant of Charlotte Philipps - Mary Ann's daughter, in which she describes the death of her husband by lightning strike:
Etric Hill,
October 25th 1849
This day thirteen years ago I was a happy bride, who then could have thought that I would have lived to write such a melancholy chapter, but again the "Lord hath done what seemeth good."
The 13th March 1845 was an excessively sultry day, my Husband had gone to the fair, and returned about 3 o'clock p.m. bringing with him several of ourfriendsand (sic) relations to dinner. Our friends all left us about sunset, when Frederick proposed a walk in the garden and Indian Corn Fields. Accordingly we took a long ramble - the children and their Grandpapa accompanied us. After looking at the Pigs, and shutting up the Poultry, we went to tea. Charlotte, as was her custom, brought her Papa's slippers and wished him goodnight. At tea time we heard distant thunder and Frederick got up and opened the door and said "that is a very singular looking cloud, it appears as if it were coming direct for this house". After tea I went as usual into the nursery to see if all was right, and I found poor Margaret looking pale and anxious. I enquired what was the matter "Oh, Maam, I feel so afraid of that storm" pointing towards the direction of the clouds [the "s" is overscored with a '/']. I went to the window and watched for a moment or two, and perceived the cloud was approaching slowly and terrifically, most heavily charged with electricity, every moment forked streaks were coming straight towards the ground. I changed colour and trembled violently but said to the poor girl, why Margaret you read your Bible, and you know if your trust is in your Blessed Saviour, all will be well, it is a dreadful storm but pray for strength. I then kissed my two sleeping children, who little thought what the minutes would bring, what real sorrow was near at hand. I returned to the Parlour, when Frederick said, pointing to the sofa, I think that is the safest place in the room". He took my hand to lead me to the Sofa, and I felt ot (sic) was very cold. I l (sic) looked at his face, it was calm, but pale. WE sat down side bynside (sic). He put one arm round me and rested his cheek upon the other. Poor old Mr. Phillipps [the second l is overscored with '/'] sat with his youngest son a little way from us, and each was in solemn communion with his Maker. The thunder was in crashing peals with scarcely a moment's intermission. Lightning appeared in constant streams just then Charlotte woke, and rushed pale and trembling into my arms. She did not speak, but took hold of her Papa's hand at the same time poor Margaret opened the door and stood there, then came the stroke, and when I recovered my senses, there was my Charlotte lying screaming at my feet unable to move. I could speak but was also unable to move either my hands or feet. I turned myhead (sic) towards Frederick, and in an instant it came into my mind that he was gone. Mr. Philipps who received none of the shock, flew to him and distinctly heard the words Jesus, Jesus, it was his last breath, and breathed xx (sic) those precious words which have been my consolation. Charlotte's screams had awakened poor little Edward (just five) who came ru nning (sic) out "Oh Mamma, what have you doneto (sic) Pappa, he does not speak and looks so white, why does Charlotte cry, and where is Margaret?" Then for the first time I thought of xxxxxxxxx (sic) Margaret and saw all the black servants were there and she not, when it flashed upon mt (sic) mind. I went to the Nursery door and there was poor Margaret lying, but Oh! so black and disfigured. The greater quantity of fluid had come into that room, but it was but (sic) a small spark that took my dear husband. I could not look at him after 2 o'clock, he also became discoloured. All that night I could not shed a tear, I felt a hot burning pain across my chest. At dawn I went outside and the birds were all singing so merrily, it seemed such mockery to my desolate heart that I went into the house of woe and burst into tears, which relieved me for the time. I sent a messenger off immediatelyfor (sic) my Mother and Brothers, who arrived shortly after daylight. The coffins were made by a neighbour. Our relations and friends met once more, the very same who had dined there on that day, and followed his remains to the grave. He was laid by the side of our little Walter, who had died seven weeks before, and for him Margaret sorrowed very deeply.
There is also a brief reference to this incident, but it states that a nurse was standing in the doorway with the baby and was killed and that the baby came to no harm. Is the nurse "Margaret"? Or is Margaret another daughter. And what of Walter who had died weeks earlier? He is clearly a son. I assume Edward at 5 years is the baby referred to in the link."
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