Elisabeth St. Michel

Elisabeth St. Michel (Elisabeth de Saint Michael) (1640 - 1669) was the wife of Samuel Pepys whom she married in 1655, shortly before her fifteenth birthday.

Her father, Alexandre de St. Michel, was born a French Catholic, but converted to the Protestant faith. He married Dorothea, the daughter of Sir Francis Kingsmill, in Ireland. Elizabeth and her brother Balthasar were both likely born in Devon.Elisabeth was born at or around Bideford on 23rd October 1640.

Elisabeth was second cousin once removed to the writer Anne Kingsmill Finch.

She died of typhoid in 1669.

Elisabeth in Samuel Pepys' DiaryFor a lot of the information on Elisabeth we have to look to her husband's diary, and rely on his view point. This can provide a useful study into her character.Samuel remembered their wedding day with such detail he recalled that Elisabeth had worn a petticoat trimmed with gold lace. Although the couple had a civil ceremony on December 1st 1655 they always celebrated it on October 10th as this was when a religious ceremony had been held.It is well known that Samuel himself was unfaithful to Elisabeth, primarily with their own maid, however, it is clear throughout their relationship that he held strong feelings for his wife. When they were away from each other Samuel greatly missed Elisabeth, and although they split shortly after marrying for several months, this was possibly due to Samuel's strong feelings of jealousy. They reunited shortly before the Diary was begun, and lived in Axe Yard.Samuel's changeable feelings for Elisabeth can be seen throughout the Diary. A resentful sentence from 25th April 1663, suggests jealous feelings surrounding Elisabeth and her dancing teacher or perhaps a simple familiarity with Elisabeth and her self confidence. '...merrily practising to dance, which my wife hath begun to learn this day of Mr. Pembleton, but I fear will hardly do any great good at it, because she is conceited that she do well already, though I think no such thing. ['The Diary of Samuel Pepys', 25th April , 1663.] '

Samuel's affection towards Elisabeth can prominently be seen in letters during her severe fever and after her death as he apologises to fellow politicians and naval captains for not attending board meeting for 4 weeks after her death and not keeping up to date with letters during her illness.'CAPTAIN ELLIOT, I beg you earnestly to believe that nothing but the sorrow and distraction I have been in by the death of my wife, increased by the suddenness with which it pleased God to surprise me with therewith, after a voyage so full of health and content, could have forced me to so long a neglect of my private concernments ['S.Pepys to Captain Elliot, 3rd May 1669-70] After her death Samuel commissioned the erection of a bust of Elisabeth to be placed in St. Olave's, and when he finally died in 1703, regardless of the fact that he had another long term relationship after Elisabeth, he was placed to rest next to his wife on his own orders.

Additional information regarding the lineage of Elizabeth St. Michel

Elizabeth St. Michel’s mother Dorothy Kingsmill was the daughter of Colonel Sir Francis Kingsmill (1570 – 1620) and his wife Dorothy Hunt.

Dorothy Hunt (baptised Gosfield 14 February 1584) was the daughter of Henry Hunt (c1534 – 1612) and Jane De Vere (1549 – 1622) of Gosfield, Essex.

Jane De Vere was the granddaughter of John De Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford (1490 – 1540) and his wife Elizabeth de Vere, Countess of Oxford (1496 – 1527)

Elizabeth St. Michel’s therefore had a long historical lineage through her De Vere ancestors.

References:

Hunt Family Wills Henry Hunt of Gosfield c1613Jane (De Vere) Hunt of Waltham Holy Cross c1622Ann (Hunt) Herbert of Cardiff c1650

Sources:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/National Archives, Kew, Surrey http://www.pepysdiary.com

www.essex.gov.ukEssex Record Office Wharf Road, Chelmsford, Essex

References