PEER’S TRIBUTE TO ANCESTOR’S LOVER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 9 January 1929, Page 8

PEER’S TRIBUTE TO ANCESTOR’S LOVER

HUMANCK AND TRAGEDY A forgotten love romance of long ago, in which arc hound the names of a peer and a shop girl, is recalled by the erection of a tombstone in the ancient parish churchyard tit Elstrce, Herts. It lias been placed there by Lord Sandwich in memory mf the devotion o! one of his ancestors for a lowly-horn village girl, and the tragedy winch befell lln ir love. The lonibstooe hears, in quaint loth century lettering, the following inscription :

Sacred Id the .Memory of Martha Rav, Who dud April 7, 1779, Aged 34 Years.

Mnrllia Hay, reputed In he l.lie daughter of a farm labourer, was born at List ire in 1 7-L‘j. She was a remarkably lira nl 1 1 ill child. W hen about 14 she became apprenticed in a milliner’s shop in Tavistock Court. Covent Gardenone of the smartest establishments of its kind in the London of that day. Mere she attracted the attention of the I'omili Earl of Sandwich, the First Lord of I lie Admiralty in the North administration. The earl look the girl from tin l shop, placed In r under the best music and singing masters of the day—for site bad great natural talent—and filially won her heart. Although there was already a Countess of Sandwich, I fie carl took .Martha Hay to- the family seat at llincliinbt'ook,* linntingdon.siiire .where lie remained true to bis love for nearly 20 years. In spite of her invidious position, Martha’s great natural charm and sweetness of manner won for her the respect of till who knew her. All would have been well, hut for the appearance on the scene of one Captain dames Hackman, of the 68th Foot. Hackman, a handsome and dashing voting mail, fell violently in love with'-the beautiful Martha. Whether she encouraged him or not at first is uncertain, hut in the end she dismissed him. Apparently in despair, Tlackman bought himself out of the Army, took Holy Orders, and obtained a living in Norfolk. In a sudden impulse of frenzy |,e decided to take his own life and that of the object of his passion. On the fatal evening of 7th April, 1779, Miss Ray, accompanied by friends, went to Covent Garden to see “Love in a tillage.” Hackman followed her carriage, and awaited the end of the performance in the Bedford Tavern opposite. As Martha left the theatre Hackman dashed across the road, drew a pistol, and fired point blank at Iter forehead. As she fell dead Hackman drew another pistol, with the intention of taking Ins own life, hut the shot went wide. He was captured, tried, and was hanged at Tyburn. The Karl of Sandwich ordered that Martha should be laid to vest ill the church at Elstree, where, as a child, she had worshipped.