1150039

Portrtait of David Lang the Gretna Priest. #1150039

Currency:USD Category:Jewelry / Fashion Jewelry Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
Portrtait of David Lang the Gretna  Priest. #1150039
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A Priest that performed weddings in Gretna Green, Scotland, between the dates 1783-1895. He performed weddings in 'Springfield'. Gretna, famous for its runaway marriages, is only a few miles from Longtown. The Gretna marriage business dated from 1754, when English law prohibited irregular marriages, while they were still legal in Scotland. Until 1822, the road to Gretna or Springfield went through Longtown, which saw many runaway couples and their pursuers travelling through the town.

Lang, or Laing, was born in 1755 and as a young man became a peddler walking from village to village selling small items of drapery and haberdashery.

While he was working in Lancashire he was caught by the "Legalized Kidnappers" ? the press gang and was forced to serve in the British Navy, where he spent several years. His ship was captured by John Paul Jones, considered by the English as a pirate, but by the Americans as the famous father of the American Navy. After a time in America, Lang managed to be reshipped and returned to England.

Lang was the nephew of Joseph Paisley and he decided to try his luck at competing with his uncle.

Lang entered the 'marriage trade' in 1792. He was then aged about thirty-eight: "a fine looking man with a large full face, amiable expression and dark intelligent eyes".

He built up a lucrative business for himself and was ranked equal with Paisley, "both in prosperity and in his addiction to the bottle". He dressed in a clerical style in accordance with his ...
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<td>Reference
#: 2696</td>
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<tr><td>Condition:Good overall condition</td></tr>
<tr><td>Year:circa 1800</td></tr>
<tr><td>Country:UK</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maker:English School</td></tr>
<tr><td>Height:5.91</td></tr>

<tr><td>Width:3.94</td></tr>

<tr><td>Title:Portrtait of David Lang the Gretna Priest.</td></tr>

<tr><td>Materials:Watercolour on Paper.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Type:watercolour.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location:london uk</td></tr>
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