Requiem for Joan Fisher

Requiem for Joane Fisher

You got with child when he lay you down 

In April among the sweet spring flowers 

You were still a slender June bride 

As the country spoke of Popish plots

Your Beltane child quickening by autumn 

Kicking you like you kicked the golden leaves 

Last year when you were still carefree 

And the dreams of holding your first child

At your breast

Warmed you as the winter came

But a woollen shroud and icy ground 

Awaited you instead

Joane Fisher was my tenth great grandmother. She was born in Spaxton in the second half of the seventeenth century. Joane married Arthur Biffen on 09 Jun 1678  Spaxton (St Margaret's Church). She was already with child on their wedding day. 

On January 4th 1669 Joane was brought to bed with son William, she died either just before or after giving birth to him. She was buried the next day.
William thrived with his wet nurse and went on to marry and have children. He is my direct ancestor.
Arthur remarried a couple of years after Joane's death, but had no further children with second wife Rebecca Edney.