Dolly Peel
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Peel known as Dolly, was a famous character in Victorian South Shields
, England, who acquired local legendary status. She is commemorated by a statue in the centre of the town.
, but was also known as a smuggler and as a protector of local sailors from the press gang
. During the Napoleonic wars
her husband and son were press-ganged to serve in the Royal Navy
, Dolly sneaked on board the ship and hid. After being discovered, she was given work as a nurse to sick and wounded sailors. Her work and dedication was respected, and she was allowed to stay on board with her family. She was rewarded by a pardon for her initial attempts to interfere with naval practice. Her husband and sons were released from the navy and were exempted from future press-ganging. The incident made her into a local heroine.
Back in South Shields, she worked as a hawker of allegedly contraband goods and became well known for her wit and colourful stories. She also published poetry, most notably verses praising the local liberal MP Robert Ingham
, of whom she was a strong supporter, during the 1841 general election
.
in 2005.
In the 1980s a statue was commissioned by Reg Peel of South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, who is her great-great-great grandson. It was intended as a tribute to the strength of local working women. It was based on a surviving photograph of Dolly and was designed by Billy Gofton. It was unveiled in 1987. The statue is located on River Drive, near the junction with Palatine Street. She is depicted looking out over the River Tyne
.
South Shields
South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, England, who acquired local legendary status. She is commemorated by a statue in the centre of the town.
Life
Peel was a fishwifeFishwife
A fishwife or fish fag is a woman who sells fish. In this context, the word wife means woman rather than married woman. This usage stems from Old English wif and is akin to the German weib, also meaning "woman"...
, but was also known as a smuggler and as a protector of local sailors from the press gang
Press gang
Press gang may refer to:*Impressment, the practice of 'pressing' men into military service*Press Gang, the British children's television series...
. During the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
her husband and son were press-ganged to serve in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, Dolly sneaked on board the ship and hid. After being discovered, she was given work as a nurse to sick and wounded sailors. Her work and dedication was respected, and she was allowed to stay on board with her family. She was rewarded by a pardon for her initial attempts to interfere with naval practice. Her husband and sons were released from the navy and were exempted from future press-ganging. The incident made her into a local heroine.
Back in South Shields, she worked as a hawker of allegedly contraband goods and became well known for her wit and colourful stories. She also published poetry, most notably verses praising the local liberal MP Robert Ingham
Robert Ingham
Robert Ingham was a British barrister and politician.The fourth son of the surgeon William Ingham and his wife Jane Walker, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Ingham was educated at Harrow School and Oriel College, Oxford. He graduated with a B.A. in 1815 and an M.A...
, of whom she was a strong supporter, during the 1841 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1841
-Seats summary:-Whig MPs who lost their seats:*Viscount Morpeth - Chief Secretary for Ireland*Sir George Strickland, Bt*Sir Henry Barron, 1st Baronet-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987...
.
Commemorations
In 1923 South Shields playwright Eva Elwes wrote Dolly Peel, a play based on her life. It was revived by the Customs House theatreThe Customs House, South Shields
The Customs House is an arts venue in South Shields, South Tyneside, North East England. It is the only non-amateur theatre in the borough, the local arts development agency, the largest gallery and, until recently, the only cinema.- History :...
in 2005.
In the 1980s a statue was commissioned by Reg Peel of South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council, who is her great-great-great grandson. It was intended as a tribute to the strength of local working women. It was based on a surviving photograph of Dolly and was designed by Billy Gofton. It was unveiled in 1987. The statue is located on River Drive, near the junction with Palatine Street. She is depicted looking out over the River Tyne
River Tyne
The River Tyne is a river in North East England in Great Britain. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers: the North Tyne and the South Tyne. These two rivers converge at Warden Rock near Hexham in Northumberland at a place dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'.The North Tyne rises on the...
.