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Barretts were wealthy West Indian land-owners. Edward Barrett Moulton, a member of the family, assumed the additional surname of Barrett in accordance with his grandfather's will. Edward Moulton-Barrett, as he now styled himself, had not attained his majority when he married Mary, daughter of J. Graham Clarke, at that time residing at Fenham Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Of Mrs. Moulton-Barrett our records are scanty; it is known that she was several years older than her husband and that, despite their disparity in age, she was tenderly loved by him.

In 1806 the Moulton-Barretts were residing at Coxhoe Hall, Durham, and there, on the 6th of March, the future poetess was born. Three days later she was privately baptized in the names of Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett.

Soon after the birth of their daughter the family removed to Hope End, near Ledbury, Herefordshire. Hope End, an estate recently acquired by Mr. 1