Price, Mrs Elizabeth

Singer

Collection date: Aug 1904

Area: Somerset - Mendips (Harptree & Priddy)

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Mrs Elizabeth Price at Compton Martin (1828-1916): age 76, 1 song 'Blow away the Morning Dew' (aka 'The Baffled Knight') FT367 on 26 Aug 1904: Elizabeth's song was published in Folk Songs from Somerset vol1 (click vwml link above).

In his article (CJS1/13/1/12/3 at vwml.org) Sharp wrote: 'Old Mrs Price ...is an obstinate old lady, and she steadfastly refuses to sing again to me, although I have tried all my arts on her and I have no doubt she could give me plenty more songs if she liked. Her song was, however, a first rate one and is perhaps one of the most popular airs in my first volume of Somerset songs.'

Elizabeth was baptised Elizabeth Wellington on 4/5/1828 at Compton Martin church. She was the third child and eldest daughter of Philip Wellington (labourer) and Hester. She spent her whole life in Compton Martin village, marrying Samuel Price, a carpenter and producing 4 sons and 4 daughters. The family lived at various addresses (in order) The Street, Compton St, Davis Lane, Highfield Lane, finally The Barton in 1901 (ref RG13/2329 f25 p6). Samuel Price was buried at Compton Martin church on 5/12/1895. Elizabeth was a widow aged 76 when she met Sharp. She died in the Poor Law Infirmary and was buried in Compton Martin 3/3/1916