Watercolour of Phoebe Hassell
£350
A late Regency folk art watercolour (cut out and laid down) depicting “Phoebe Hassell, born at Stepney in 1713. She served for many years as a private soldier in the 5th regiment of foot in different parts of Europe and in 1745 fought under the command of the Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Fontenoy [War of Austrian Succession where she received a bayonet wound in her arm. Her long life which commenced in the reign of Queen Anne extended to George 4th by whose munificence she received comfort and support in her later years. She died at Brighton, where she had long resided. Dec 12th, 1821, aged 108 years. Brief further research claims that Phoebe Hassell (or Hessel) ‘took on mans clothing and appearance’ and joined the army after ‘falling in love with a soldier’.
Her monument erected at the expense of the king, is in St Nicholas Church, Brighton. According to ‘An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Coasts of Sussex’ by J D Parry, published in 1833, George IV also offered her a pension of a guinea a week, which she declined, saying ‘half that sum was as much as she should want or use.
