Sarah Lucas, twin, infant

Mary and Sarah Lucas. Born 17th August, 1790. By Betty Taber

Mary and Sarah Lucas were born on Norfolk Island on the 17th August, 1790. The twins were the second and third children of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne. Mary was number 44 and Sarah was number 45 on the Norfolk Island Victualling Book.

Unfortunately, on the 2nd February, 1792, when the two little girls were only just 18 month old, they were killed by a falling tree. Their father, Nathaniel, was clearing ground around the house and set fire to two pine trees. He hoped they would fall clear of the house, however, one fell on the house and killed the twins.

Olivia was nursing William in her arms, he was just seven month old at the time. Olivia was badly bruised and had several broken bones ( the reports from the island state a broken arm, but it is said Olivia walked with a limp right up until her death). William the baby was unhurt, obviously protected by his mother.

The letter stated:- “I had the unspeakable misfortune to lose 2 twins, girls, by an accident which could it be represented in a proper manner would awaken the most tender feelings and melt the hardest heart into sympathy.

It was by the fall of a Pine Tree which stood near my house, which buried my lovely infants in the ruins, and almost my worthy partner who nearly escaped with her life, for she was dragged out in a situation in which her life was despaired of. Oh Father I am not able to express the poignant grief I felt on this very shocking scene without dwelling long upon this displeasing subject.”

The house was smashed to pieces, which would have been a terrible blow to any young family without the horrific agony, of losing precious twin daughters.

The grief of the couple can be sensed in the letter home to Nathaniel’s father in 1796, four years after the terrible event. (The letter is now believed to have been written by Olivia).

It is these precious, dear little girls that we will celebrate the lives of when we return to Norfolk Island, March, 2002 and place a plaque in the Cemetery, at Kingston close to where they died.

There will also be a tree planted in their honour, so future family members will be able to visit and watch the tree grow.

As a mother of twins it is easy for me to paint a picture of these two little ones in their cots, perhaps sleeping or playing happily as my twins so often did. In the case of most twins there is a special bond, a closeness, perhaps due to the fact they shared the womb. They came into this world together, and they departed this life together, harsh as this may be it is reality, and it is up to us to celebrate the short time they passed this way.