Background
Lady Harriet Aclandwas was born on the 3rd of January 1750 in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. She was a daughter of the first earl of Ilchester.
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Christian Henrietta Caroline Acland
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also known as
Lady Harriet Acland
Career
She began life as Lady Christian Henrietta Caroline Fox-Strangways, the daughter of Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st Earl of Ilchester. In 1770, at the age of twenty, she married John Dyke Acland.
Lady Harriet travelled with her husband to the Canadas and the Thirteen Colonies when he commanded the 20th Regiment of Foot.
In October 1777, Colonel Acland was badly wounded and taken prisoner by the Americans at the second Battle of Saratoga (Bemis Heights. ) At once the pregnant Lady Harriet decided to go to him. Accompanied by her maid, a military chaplain, and Acland's valet, she crossed the Hudson River in an open boat and made her way into enemy territory. While there are varying accounts of her night-time crossing, all agree that she was treated courteously by American General Horatio Gates, and permitted to join her husband in captivity to nurse him. The Aclands were released and allowed to return to England (and to their daughter Kitty) in January, 1778, with Lady Harriet still nursing her convalescing husband. Unfortunately, Colonel Acland died later in 1778 from complications after a duel – fought in defense of the American cause.
Lady Harriet died on the 216t of July 1815.
Achievements
Connections
She and her husband had a daughter, Elizabeth (13 December 1772 – 5 March 1813), who married Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon. Their son John was born on the voyage.
References
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Born
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Died
July 21, 1815 (aged 65) -
Nationality
British