[1][2] During the Napoleonic Wars, when her husband Cuthbert Peel and son were press-ganged to serve in the Royal Navy, Dolly snuck on board the ship and hid.

[citation needed] Back in South Shields, she worked as a hawker of allegedly contraband goods and became well known for her wit and colourful stories.

She also published poetry, most notably verses praising the local liberal MP Robert Ingham, of whom she was a strong supporter, during the 1841 general election.

[citation needed] According to census date, in 1841 Dorothy Peel (Dolly) was living at Ropery Stairs near Shadwell Street.

[1][8] A public house in Commercial Road, South Shields, is named "Dolly Peel" after the legendary character and contains various tributes to her amongst its furnishings and wall decorations.