Mary Ann Wrighten

She was apprenticed to organist Charley Griffith where she learned music, and made her debut on the stage at about age 15.

[1] They divorced in 1786 in a public scandal, and Mary Ann Wrighten emigrated to the United States to work for theater manager John Henry.

[2] Mary Ann Powell was scheduled to sing a concert on August 6th, 1796, and after she and her family were expected to return to England.

However, on August 2nd Mary Ann discovered her daughter Charlotte had married theater manager Alexander Placide, who had lived for some time with a woman whom many believed was his wife.

She wrote an autobiography entitled An Apology for the Life and Conduct of Mrs Mary Wrighten, Late a Favourite Actress and Singer, of Drury Lane Theatre, and Vauxhall Gardens.