#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Speaks with Nancy!

In my endeavours to investigate the Seeking Sophie mystery, I was so fortunate as to visit Nancy in the County Jail (where she awaits transportation on false conviction for theft). The following is a copy of the letter I sent to S. M., relating the young woman's testimony of the journey she made with Miss. S. & Mary through the town, & beyond to their place of confinement. 

I provide a map of the town that, in conjunction with the county map already provided, may be used to plot the journey.

I have news that Mr. H extracted further particulars on his visit to the country estate, which I shall forward tomorrow (& I anticipate may be the final piece of evidence required to ensure the release of Nancy & Miss. S. from their respective confinements). 

#Seeking Sophie Letter 8: Mrs. Mary's Journey Through Derbyshire - 2nd Instalment

As part of the Seeking Sophie story, maid Mary gives an account of her journey across Regency Derbyshire (with her mistress Sophie, the young lady's servant Nancy & footman George - and the somewhat suspicious Cook & Coachman).

The principal investigator in this history mystery (who, in hoping to keep a low profile, is known simply by the initials 'S.M.') is sending Mary's account in three parts, of which this is the second. It happens to be the longest - but may contain useful clues! (Skip to the translations on pages 4-7 if short on time.)

Using the map provided in the previous post, time 'tecs can track the route the carriage took, along the coaching roads of the day (& the pubs they visited on the way that are still open today!).

This 12-year-old courageous companion to Miss. S. in her time of need speaks (& writes) in broad Derbyshire dialect - which may be quite difficult to decipher. But fear not: the attorney (Mr. H.) who assists the team of time 'tecs has provided a translation at the end of each installment.

The final installment of Mary's account will be provided tomorrow; followed by the Time 'Tec brief on Friday. 

 Letter #8:  'Mrs. Mary's' Journey Through Derbyshire - 2nd Installment

As with the previous letters, these documents are brought together with the other evidence on the Seeking Sophie Case File page.

#Seeking Sophie: Mapping Mary's Memories - Travels in Regency Derbyshire

Regency-era traveller's map of Derbyshire (redrawn from Cary, 1792)

As I mentioned in the last post, if you're following the Seeking Sophie story (& if you'd like to take part in the Tournament: see this post for further information), you can trace the journey by which Miss. S. was abducted, following her servant, Mary's account on the map of the era.

I have redrawn this map (due to the poor quality reproduction of the original copy; I have had to omit the more illegible place-names), which comes from a 1790s traveller's guide that still seems to have been used in the Regency.

It must be said the map doesn't seem particularly accurate - I can but wonder how many Regency travellers went astray with only this for their guide! So I advise modern readers to use more recent maps in conjunction - though doing so will reveal that some of the roads used in the 21st century were not yet built at this time (several being constructed over the last decade of the 18th- & early decades of the 19th-centuries).

I included this element of the story (& Tournament) as landscape studies - observing, recording & interpreting the natural & man-made environment, and particularly change over time - are an important aspect of archaeological investigation (landscapes being to all intents and purposes archaeological artefacts - being made & modified by people in the past).

Some local readers might find it fun to trace the coaching route in person - the routes survive (& public houses mentioned are still open) today! Such trails (and other guides) will form part of the digital learning packages that I intend to provide (see the events page for more information).

After the event I shall provide a similar challenge set on the streets of Derby!