THE extraordinary life of a woman living in Dolgellau in the 1700s has been revealed by author Sue Passmore, who has released an edited version of Elizabeth Baker’s diary.

A former resident of Dolgellau herself, Sue, who now lives in New Quay in Ceredigion, knows the Meirionnydd town well, and has been able to bring Baker’s diary to life, as well as fill in a great deal of background information.

Spanning eight years, from 1778 to 1786, the diary gives a fascinating insight in to the market town, its people and, of course, Elizabeth herself, as Sue explained.

“Elizabeth was born in England, which is partly what makes her diary so interesting,” she said.

“She moved to Dolgellau when she was middle aged, unusually to prospect for lead and copper after being given a licence to mine for these materials.

“Elizabeth always had hopes of being rich but that never happened. There were times when she didn’t know where her next meal was coming from, but the people of Dolgellau would always help her out, and the diary reveals how great the community was.”

Sue went on: “Elizabeth was an educated woman, so she had the ability to write, but she was also very poor. Accounts from the poor are rare so that makes this diary special and unique.”

As well as commenting on Dolgellau at the time, world politics also feature.

“The diary was written at around the same time that the American War of Independence was taking place,” Sue said.

“Elizabeth gives an amazing insight in to that also.

“There is so much in the diary about rural life, but Elizabeth also had a passion for politics. And she had a crush on Pitt, so there’s an angle on national politics also.”

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