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Louisa, born on 26th February, 1815, was the eldest Hall sister. She is regularly mentioned in the early years of Emily and Ellen's diaries, as she lived at home with them until her marriage, as was the common practice. She was heavily involved in their philanthropic activities and while on St. Helier it is mentioned she regularly visited the houses of the poor, sometimes taking her younger sisters with her. Emily gives this account of one evening when she visited a house in Louisa's "district". Louisa married James Sherrard, her brother Charles's business partner, in 1845. Joyce Walker transcribed Emily's account of the wedding in her reading of the diaries: "There was a crowd of poor people at the church...She looked...quite lovely. The excitement had flushed her dace. George gave her a bouquet of pure white orange flowers and camellias at the door...leaning on Papa's arm she walked steadily to the rails and knelt for a moment in private prayer. James placed himself beside her and we all stood around...Quietly and in a clear voice my precious sister made all her answers. Firmly and erect she stood before the alter, to join herself to the man she loved...At the conclusion as they rose from their knees, James put his arm around her and kissed her through her veil...and a more beautiful kiss I never saw _ or expect to see. He led her down to the vestry and the registration was made...As she walked to the carriage the poor people scattered flowers before her-right up to the steps and some of them put pretty little bouquets into her hands." Quoted in Joyce Walker, Vanished West Wickham (Hollies Publications, 1994) p17 Louisa herself wrote diaries between the years 1858 and 1897 that are kept in Bromley Public Library. I do not believe they have been very widely read, and I would like to look at them for future projects! |
