himself emigrated to America, although her sister still lived there and was glad to hear news of Anne Jane. The Lord Mayor booked Thornton a seat on the London to Liverpool coach, and she left for Ireland on 2 April 1835. On 13 April, a newspaper in Ballyshannon reported her arrival in Donegal. Thornton's story became even better known after she wrote an autobiographical book, The Interesting Life and Wonderful Adventures of that Extraordinary Woman Anne Jane Thornton, the Female Sailor. King William IV granted Thornton a pension of £10 a year, while a Mr Andrew Murray gave her the use of a farm near Lough Eske, rent-free. In February 1836, Thornton married, under unusual circumstances. One day a friend from Ballyshannon went to Donegal to visit her and found her being dragged to a clergyman by a group of men, who intended her to marry one of them. Her friend rescued her and they were married the next day. She gave birth to a son in November 1836. Thornton lived until 1877. Ballad of The Female Sailor Bold Thornton's story inspired the ballad The Female Sailor Bold, also called The Female Sailor.The Female Sailor Bold, ballad sheets, Harvard Houghton Library 25242.17 vol. 4 no. 70 The following is the text of the ballad, as sold in the United States from c. 1835. An edited version appears in The Oxford Book of English Traditional Verse (1983). Good people give attention and listen to my song; I will unfold a circumstance that does to love belong; Concerning of a pretty maid who ventur'd we are told Across the briny ocean as a female sailor bold. Her name was Ann Jane Thornton, as you presently shall hear, And also that she was born in fam'd Gloucestershire; Her father now lives in Ireland, respected we are told, And grieving for his daughter—this female sailor bold. She was courted by a captain when not fifteen years of age, And to be joined in holy wedlock this couple did engage, But the captain was bound to America, as I will now unfold, And she followed him o'er the ocean did this female sailor bold. She dress'd herself with sailors clothes and was overcome with joy When with a captain she did engage to serve as cabin boy, And when New York in America this fair maid did behold She determined to seek her true love