https://www.historycalroots.com/the-final-resting-place-of-sarah-bonetta-forbes-davies/ Great article! I visit Sarah's grave in Madeira every year. It is only relatively recently that a headstone has been erected. It states Sarah was Queen Victoria's Goddaughter which isn't totally accurate. Queen Victoria was very fond of Sarah. You can see photos and read about Sarah on the attached link.
Thank you! Yes, I also read about her headstone in Madeira and I do think that needs to be corrected to properly honour her story. Do you know of any efforts to do this?
Hi Melissa, I'm not aware of any moves to correct the headstone but it took 139 years to get a headstone so I'd be inclined to live with the error and make sure the grave is properly maintained.
It feels like the story of her life. She had to change her name and now her headstone doesn’t even have the correct details. It should be corrected. How hard is it to get a headstone?
How hard is it to get a headstone? Good question. It took 139 years to get the existing one and then only though the efforts of Taiwo Olaiya who raised almost £1,000 by running a half-marathon. Sarah is a victim of misinformation, just like the Windrush, for example. I'd estimate 90% of items about Sarah on the internet state she was Victoria's Goddaughter. I have written to the Holy Trinity Church in Funchal a couple of times before the headstone was raised but never had a response. You might have more success.
https://www.historycalroots.com/the-final-resting-place-of-sarah-bonetta-forbes-davies/ Great article! I visit Sarah's grave in Madeira every year. It is only relatively recently that a headstone has been erected. It states Sarah was Queen Victoria's Goddaughter which isn't totally accurate. Queen Victoria was very fond of Sarah. You can see photos and read about Sarah on the attached link.
Thank you! Yes, I also read about her headstone in Madeira and I do think that needs to be corrected to properly honour her story. Do you know of any efforts to do this?
Hi Melissa, I'm not aware of any moves to correct the headstone but it took 139 years to get a headstone so I'd be inclined to live with the error and make sure the grave is properly maintained.
It feels like the story of her life. She had to change her name and now her headstone doesn’t even have the correct details. It should be corrected. How hard is it to get a headstone?
How hard is it to get a headstone? Good question. It took 139 years to get the existing one and then only though the efforts of Taiwo Olaiya who raised almost £1,000 by running a half-marathon. Sarah is a victim of misinformation, just like the Windrush, for example. I'd estimate 90% of items about Sarah on the internet state she was Victoria's Goddaughter. I have written to the Holy Trinity Church in Funchal a couple of times before the headstone was raised but never had a response. You might have more success.