Hi all
Thought I would update you on my search for the elusive Eliza Knowlan/Nichols/Preece.
Well the reason I couldn't find her grave was that she was buried at sea!
I had noted some time ago that in a register of burials at sea there was an Eliza Knowlan who died 11 Aug 1887 of apoplexy on board the Arizona, but the age stated was only 42 ('my Eliza' was at least 55) and there were no other details d that would confirm it was her. However, thanks to the new on-line National Newspaper Archive, I tracked down an article in the Northampton Mercury dated 29 Oct 1887 entitled 'The Burial of a Northamptonian at Sea' which proves it was her.
She was returning from New York, and on the leg between Queenstown (Ireland) and Liverpool was 'found dead in her berth at 3:15 am' and 'at 5:30 am was put overboard'! The ship was then 13.5 hours into the run to Liverpool a journey that would usually take 15 or 16 hours.
The reason given was that 'she was a steerage passenger and her friends were ill able to bear the expense of the funeral' However her husband says there were £2 16s 8d found in her purse and £21 in her bank book.
I must admit I felt a little sad reading this and wondered whether there may infact have been 'foul play'.
Should there be a death certificate for her? I couldn't see one on free BMD.
Still looking for her marriage - Eliza Preece to William Nichols circa 1850 ! :-)
Happy New Year!
John
