Pepy's Diary. 01 Jan 1664. Several others came to me about business, and then being to dine at my uncle Wight's (age 62) I went to the Coffee-house, sending my wife by Will, and there staid talking an hour with Coll. Middleton, and others, and among other things about a very rich widow (age 20), young and handsome, of one Sir Nicholas Gold's, a merchant, lately fallen, and of great courtiers that already look after her: her husband not dead a week yet. She is reckoned worth £80,000.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Jun 1664. Thence to my Lord's lodgings; and were merry with the young ladies, who make a great story of their appearing before their mother the morning after we carried them, the last week, home so late; and that their mother took it very well, at least without any anger. Here I heard how the rich widow, my Lady Gold (age 20), is married to one Neale, after he had received a box on the eare by her brother [either [her brother] John Garrard 3rd Baronet (age 26) or [her brother] Samuel Garrard 4th Baronet (age 14)] (who was there a sentinel, in behalf of some courtier) at the door; but made him draw, and wounded him. She called Neale up to her, and sent for a priest, married presently, and went to bed. The brother sent to the Court, and had a serjeant sent for Neale; but Neale sent for him up to be seen in bed, and she owned him for her husband: and so all is past. It seems Sir H. Bennet (age 46) did look after her. My Lady very pleasant.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Jun 1665. By and by comes to us Sir John Shaw and Mr. Neale, that married the rich widow Gold (age 21), upon the same errand. After eating a dish of creame, we took coach again, hearing nothing of the Duke (age 31), and away home, a most pleasant evening and road.