£7,000
A LOCK OF NELSON'S HAIR WITH AN IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE, 1844
a lock of Nelson's hair displayed within a velvet-backed oval glazed frame, probably gold, with loop for wearing, the pendant mounted in a plush-lined custom-made red leather case -- 4¾ x 3¾in. (12 x 9.5cm.), the plush lettered in gold "From Mrs. H.N. Ward, 1844", very good condition and very attractively presented, pendant -- 2½in. (6.5cm.) high
Christie's: Trafalgar Bi-Centenary Sale, 19th October 2005, lot 262.
Mrs. Horatia Nelson Ward was Nelson's illegitimate daughter by Emma Hamilton and born on 29th January, 1801. Christened Horatia Nelson Thompson to protect her identity, despite it being an open secret, her childhood was traumatic following her father's death in 1805 and her mother's descent into penury. After Emma's death in 1815 in Calais, where she had gone to escape her creditors and probably the debtors' prison, Horatia was initially taken care of by George Matcham and his wife Catherine (Nelson's favourite sister) but later became housekeeper to Nelson's brother-in-law Thomas Boulton after his wife Susanna (another of Nelson's sisters) had died. Horatia married the Reverend Philip Ward in 1822, produced ten children - from whom all Nelson's current descendants can be traced - and died aged 80 on 6th March, 1881.
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