Charlotte Perry

Charlotte Perry was born in 1769, the daughter of Sampson Perry and Mary. During her childhood she lived in a rented cottage in Totteridge, North London and later in Tewin Wood. In March 1785 she was sent to a Benedictine convent in France to complete her education. She returned to England 2 years later and lived with her father in Argyll Street, London. She was a proficient musician (piano) and dancer and could speak French and Italian.

The following account of how she met Charles Augustus West and eloped to Gretna Green is taken from the diary of Lord Robert Seymour.

'August 10 1788 - Mr West, the King's page, returned from Gretna Green with Miss Perry, an heiress of Argyle St. Her father is a West Indian (sic) and placed his daughter as a parlour boarder at a school in Chelsea. Mr W's mother paying an annual visit to the school mistress, the petit Page gained admittance at the annual tea drinking and with his musical abilities continued to captivate the belle fille and was soon admitted as a daily visitor.

Having persuaded her to elope he took her to a friend's house where they intended staying a few days before they undertook so long a journey as a Tour to Scotland. But as Miss P was too prudent to stay under his protection at a stranger's house, he wrote a few lines to his friend Capt. Bristowe of Dover, desiring his immediate assistance and having engaged Lt. Archer's groom, who had before shown the road to Miss Courtnay and Mr Dorkius, they set off in the post chaise and went 180 miles before they stopped for any refreshments, same postillion driving the whole way. When Miss P. desired Mr West to let her stop a short time, which accordingly they did for two hours , and arriving at Gretna at 9 in the morning, Mr W had a very long contest with the tinker to marry him for 10 pounds, and put Miss P. into a great agitation, fearing the ceremony would not be done at all after all the fatigues she had undergone. Mr W., at his return, instantly applied for the forgivemess of Mr P. who as soon as he heard his daughter had eloped , went to bed and during four days neither ate nor drank but continued inexorable to any petition, when he ordered his carriage and drove into Herefordshire. The young couple have taken a little lodging in Bury St, St James, where they console themselves with their favourite amusement, music, and will be happy if anyone will come to hear them play and sing.

November 24 - Mr Perry now sees his son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs West, but does not bring upon the Tapis the subject of Settlements. Report says he intends marrying himself.'

Charlotte and Charles were married again the following year at St Luke's Church, Chelsea. Charlotte died in London in 1860 and is buried in Kensal Green cemetry in the same grave as Charles.

 

An example of Charlotte's handwriting - 1850