Elisabeth Pepys - Elisabeth in Samuel Pepys' Diary

Elisabeth in Samuel Pepys' Diary

Much of the information on Elisabeth comes from her husband's diary. Samuel remembered their wedding day in great detail, even recalling that Elisabeth had worn a petticoat trimmed with gold lace. Although the couple had a civil ceremony on 1 December 1655, they always celebrated their wedding anniversary on 10 October 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 that he held strong feelings for his wife throughout their relationship. When they were away from each other Samuel greatly missed Elisabeth, and although they separated for several months shortly after marrying, this may have been 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 his diary. A resentful sentence from 25 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.'

Samuel's affection towards Elisabeth can be seen prominently in letters during her severe typhoid fever and after her death, as he apologises to fellow politicians and naval captains for not attending board meetings for 4 weeks following 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.'

After the death of Elisabeth, Samuel commissioned the erection of a bust to be placed in St. Olave's, and when he himself died in 1703, regardless of the fact that he had had another long-term relationship after Elisabeth, he was placed to rest next to his wife on his own orders.