Martha Gunn

On a tombstone in the churchyard of St. Nicholas, the oldest church in Brighton on Dyke Road, you will find an inscription bearing the following; " Martha, the wife of Stephen Gunn, who was peculiarly distinguished as a bather in this town nearly 70 years, died 2nd May 1815, aged 88 years."

Martha Gunn had the honour of bathing the Prince of Wales, when he was young, and from her peculiar manners, received in after years, very marked attention from the Prince. She was a perfect character - a complete epitome of the characteristics of the once celebrated Brighton fisherwomen; her gait, her language, all told of the origin of her family; and although no genealogical table graced her dwelling, she could trace her ancestors among the fishermen of Brighton back for centuries.

A portrait of her was taken, a copy of which is above, and the original is held by the Royal Pavillion.

 

 

There is a scrap of typical conversation, quoted in Bishop's publication, 'A Peep into the Past',' between Martha and a visitor:-

' What, my old friend, Martha,' said I,' still queen of the ocean, still industrious, and busy as ever; and how do you find yourself?'

 

'Well and hearty, thank God, sir,' replied she,' but rather hobbling. I don't bathe, because I a'nt so strong as I used to be, so I superintend on the beach, for I'm up before any of 'em; you may always find me and my pitcher at one exact spot, every morning by six o'clock.'

' You wear vastly well, my old friend, pray what age may you be?'

' Only eighty-eight, sir; in fact, eighty-nine come next Christmas pudding; aye, and though I've lost my teeth I can mumble it with as good relish and hearty appetite as anybody

 

 

 

 

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