Teddington's Peg Woffington miniature picture sells for thousands in London auction

A miniature portrait picture of Peg Woffington, the actress who lived in Teddington, has been sold at a London auction yesterday for £4,800. 

The miniature was painted by James Ferguson, a Scottish painter.

It is thought that Peg Woffington was born around 1720 and died aged about just 40 years old.  You can see pictures of her at the National Gallery. 

She was born in Dublin and after singing and 'treading the boards' come to star on the London stage.  Whilst in London she fell in love with fellow actor David Garrick of Hampton, possibly living at Garrick's Villa and strolling around the gardens of Garrick's Temple. 

She caused a bit of a stir when she acted in some parts in 'breeches' and when she stabbed another actress on stage!   Famous for many affairs during her lifetime, she left Garrick and was then thought to have moved to Teddington into the cottages that bear her name today. 

The plaque on her cottage in the High Street says 1757, so we assume she died during this year or around this date.  It seems that she may have lived in one cottage which was then separated into two cottages.

Dramatically, she collapsed on stage during a performance and was buried next door at St Mary's church.