Nicholas
master brummie
An acquaintance has recently (via social media) drawn my attention to a particular grave in 'Owen Memorial Gardens' - situated next to the Asda superstore - in Darlaston, West Midlands.
The grave in question is that of Maria Simkin - born in Darlaston in 1816 - who died age 39, on December the 1st, 1856. She was the daughter of William and Mary Simkin.
However, the epitaph on the grave records that she apparently died in Handsworth, Birmingham.... and, also included on the stone, is the rather cryptic note: 'She was seduced by a tyrant. Let his days be few'.
Needless to say, that final line is something of an eye-opener.... and clearly stems from a much more convoluted story, it seems? I've taken a quick look through some (albeit limited access) newspaper archives - in an attempt to trace Maria, or perhaps details surrounding her death, that way - but have not been able to discover anything at all....... A 3rd party suggests she may well have been in serivce to what he lists as 'an eminent Professor of Medicine', or some such figure, though this data supposedly hails from something he read on the matter as far back as the 1970's, it seems(?)
As mentioned above, the matter was initially raised on a social media page and the scant details mentioned here are everything that page members could discover or suggest. It goes without saying that there is clearly a 'bigger picture' to possibly be uncovered - somewhere? - so I was wondering if authorities on the Birmingham History Forum may have possibly heard something about the 'Handsworth end' of the tale in their travels / research, perhaps?
Any leads, suggestions or information would be most gratefully received indeed.....
The grave in question is that of Maria Simkin - born in Darlaston in 1816 - who died age 39, on December the 1st, 1856. She was the daughter of William and Mary Simkin.
However, the epitaph on the grave records that she apparently died in Handsworth, Birmingham.... and, also included on the stone, is the rather cryptic note: 'She was seduced by a tyrant. Let his days be few'.
Needless to say, that final line is something of an eye-opener.... and clearly stems from a much more convoluted story, it seems? I've taken a quick look through some (albeit limited access) newspaper archives - in an attempt to trace Maria, or perhaps details surrounding her death, that way - but have not been able to discover anything at all....... A 3rd party suggests she may well have been in serivce to what he lists as 'an eminent Professor of Medicine', or some such figure, though this data supposedly hails from something he read on the matter as far back as the 1970's, it seems(?)
As mentioned above, the matter was initially raised on a social media page and the scant details mentioned here are everything that page members could discover or suggest. It goes without saying that there is clearly a 'bigger picture' to possibly be uncovered - somewhere? - so I was wondering if authorities on the Birmingham History Forum may have possibly heard something about the 'Handsworth end' of the tale in their travels / research, perhaps?
Any leads, suggestions or information would be most gratefully received indeed.....
