The great liberality of the Marquis of Exeter enabled Clare to carry out,
without further delay, the wish of his heart, and to make 'Patty' his
wife. Her parents, under the circumstances, had given up all their old
opposition, and were not only willing, but most anxious, that Clare
should cement his unhappy connexion with their daughter by the sacred
ties of marriage. The due preparations were made accordingly, and on the
16th of March, 1820, John Clare and Martha Turner became man and wife.
The event stands registered as follows in the records of Great Casterton
Church:--
'John Clare of the Parish of Helpston Bachelor and Martha Turner of this
Parish Spinster were married in this Church by banns this 16th day of
March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty by me Richard
Lucas.'