A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Pilkington, Letitia
PILKINGTON, LETITIA,
Was the daughter of Dr. Tan Lewen, a Dutch gentleman, who settled in Dublin, where she was born, in 1712. She wrote verses when very young, and this, with her vivacity, brought her many admirers. She married the Rev. Matthew Pilkington; but she says that soon after their marriage he became jealous of her abilities and her poetical talents. However, it is said that she gave him other and strong grounds for jealousy; so that, after her father's death, having no farther expectation of a fortune by her, Mr. Pilkington took advantage of her imprudence to obtain a separation from her.
She then came to London, where, through Colley Cibber's exertions, she was for some time supported by contributions from the great; but at length these succours failed, and she was thrown into prison. After remaining there nine weeks, she was released by Gibber, who had solicited charity for her; and, weary of dependence, she resolved to employ her remaining five guineas in trade; and taking a shop in St. James' Street, she furnished it with pamphlets and prints. She seems to have succeeded very well in this occupation; but she did not live long to enjoy her competence, for she went to Dublin, and died there, in her thirty-ninth year.
She wrote, besides poems, her own memoirs, a comedy called "The Turkish Court, or London Apprentice," and a tragedy called "The Roman Father."