16 Facts in the Life of the Almost Forgotten Life of One of England’s First Black Aristocrats, Dido Elizabeth Belle

16 Facts in the Life of the Almost Forgotten Life of One of England’s First Black Aristocrats, Dido Elizabeth Belle

Trista - November 3, 2018

16 Facts in the Life of the Almost Forgotten Life of One of England’s First Black Aristocrats, Dido Elizabeth Belle
Belle and Thomas from the 2013 movie Belle. Standard.

6. Belle Lived In Kenwood Until She Married and Started Her Own Family

While reports do conflict on when exactly Belle moved out of Kenwood, we do know it was around the time of Lord Mansfield’s death in 1793. Some reports claim she moved out a few months before he died, while she was still carrying for him. However, other reports claim she did not move out and marry until after his death. Either way, historians do know that Belle continued to live in Kenwood after Mrs. Elizabeth Murray’s death in 1784 and took care of Mr. Murray until his death about nine years later.

Belle married John Davinier, a steward. According to a descendant of the Murray’s, William Murray, the couple went on to have three children. They had twins, Charles and John, and also William Thomas. Descendant William Murray has also noted that at least one of her children went on to work for the East India Company. Historians also know that in Lord Mansfield’s will, he not only made sure Belle was freed but also gave her an annuity of $100 a year.

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