Parson Woodforde the Parson Woodforde Society
promoting the study of the diary of James Woodforde, 1740-1803
home | the diary | the society | noticeboard | publications | links | contact

In Norfolk : May 21st, 1778

We all breakfasted, dined and slept again at Weston- I walked up to the White Hart with Mr. Lewis and Bill, to see a famous Woman in Men's Cloaths, by name Hannah Snell, who was 21 years as a Common SoldieR in the Army, and not discovered by any as a Woman - Cousin Lewis has mounted guard with her abroad - She went in the Army by the name of John Gray- She has a pension from the Crown now of 18: 5: 0 per Annum and the liberty of wearing Men's Cloaths and also a Cockade in her Hat, which she still wears - She has laid in a room with 70 Soldiers and not discovered by any of them - The forefinger of her right hand was cut of by a Sword at the taking of Pondicherry - She is now about 60 yrs of age and talks very sensible and well, and travels the country with a Basket at her back, selling Buttons, Garters, laces &ampc.- I took 4 Pk of 4d Buttons and gave her- 0: 2: 6. At 10 o'clock we all went down to the River with our Nets a-fishing At Lenwade Bridge we caught a prodigious fine Pike which weighed 8 Pound and a half and it had in its Belly another Pike, of above a Pound - We caught also there the finest Trout I ever saw which weighed 3 Pound and two Ounces - Good Pike and Trout we also caught besides-

© Parson Woodforde Society 2007
"we breakfasted, dined, &c - again at home..."