Fascinatingly, 1805 was the year of Female Roscius and Young Roscia. The first Roscius/Roscia was Miss Lee Sugg, five years old, who got attention from the royal family and whose coverage in the London presses would have rippled out in the provincial news - even more so once she went on tour. Next, Dublin witnessed the ascent of Miss Mudie, the Young Roscia, who - at 7 years of age - was declared a phenomenon. The subsequent Female Rosciae (Swindall, Quantrell, Fisher) may well have been attempts to draw audiences based on the attention surrounding Miss Sugg:
Morning Post - Friday 01 March 1805:
"Miss LEE SUGG, the Infant Female Roscius, has lately performed before the Princess of WALES, at Blackheath. A drawing of this clever girl, in the character of Rolla, was on Friday presented to the QUEEN by her father ; and Her MAJESTY said, she would appoint an early day to see the child."
The Ipswich Journal - Saturday 11 May 1805.
"The celebrated Female Roscius, has been exhibiting her astonishing infantine talents at Colchester... At each place there was a brilliant assemblage of Ladies, with the officers of the garrison, who all expressed their wonder and surprize at the astonishing abilities of this child, who, though not 6 years of age, recites some of the most difficult passages of Shakespeare with greatest accuracy"
Miss Mudie's ascent to phenomenon status begins:
Morning Post, July 29, 1805:
"The Young Roscia of the Dublin Stage (only seven years old), who is called the Phenomenon, closed her engagement there on Monday last."
Miss Quantrell takes on the title from the middle of the year. I like this one from August because it seems to imply that she was pretty ropey in her initial appearances. As with the Swendalls, this was a family affair - Mr and Mrs Quantrell perform with her:
Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 03 August 1805.
"The female Roscius (Miss Quantrell) appeared as Angela, in the Castle Spectre, on Friday the 26th of last month, with increased ability and success; and there seems to be no doubt of her excellence in any scenic walk she may attempt."
Last but not least! A Miss Fisher has begun appearing as the Young Roscia by July:
Gloucester Journal - Monday 29 July 1805
"For particular desire for the BENEFIT of the YOUNG ROSCIA. THEATRE, GLOUCESTER. MISS FISHER most humbly and gratefully informs a liberal Public..." etc etc.