Mrs Woodham (formerly Smith; née Spencer) was an entertainer known in
both Dublin and London with the nickname "Buck Spencer".She was born
in the United Kingdom in or before 1743, apparently surnamed Spencer.
She studied under Thomas Arne and she appeared at the Smock Alley
Theatre in the 1750s. She performed in his Comus.Next, she performed
at Marylebone Gardens, in the early 1770s. She moved from London to
Dublin, Ireland. Woodham married a name with the surname Smith. She
had a daughter. Mr. Smith died, and his widow married a man with the
surname Woodham. Eventually, they divorced. She lived with her
daughter's family. Mrs. Woodham was said to have died of suffocation
and burns in a fire at Astley's theatre on 2 February 1803. She heard
the alarm of fire and came to the door (or window) where egress
awaited but returned for a dress or to secure the receipts of the
house for the last two nights, which were in her charge. She died of
smoke inhalation. Her body was burnt with little remaining for burial.
Her surname, which appeared as "Woodham" in the Gentleman's Magazine,
was given in the Monthly Mirror as "Woodman", and it was noted that a
similar actress named "Mrs Woodman" may have been the decedent.
both Dublin and London with the nickname "Buck Spencer".She was born
in the United Kingdom in or before 1743, apparently surnamed Spencer.
She studied under Thomas Arne and she appeared at the Smock Alley
Theatre in the 1750s. She performed in his Comus.Next, she performed
at Marylebone Gardens, in the early 1770s. She moved from London to
Dublin, Ireland. Woodham married a name with the surname Smith. She
had a daughter. Mr. Smith died, and his widow married a man with the
surname Woodham. Eventually, they divorced. She lived with her
daughter's family. Mrs. Woodham was said to have died of suffocation
and burns in a fire at Astley's theatre on 2 February 1803. She heard
the alarm of fire and came to the door (or window) where egress
awaited but returned for a dress or to secure the receipts of the
house for the last two nights, which were in her charge. She died of
smoke inhalation. Her body was burnt with little remaining for burial.
Her surname, which appeared as "Woodham" in the Gentleman's Magazine,
was given in the Monthly Mirror as "Woodman", and it was noted that a
similar actress named "Mrs Woodman" may have been the decedent.
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