This is Louisa. Mrs Bradley. Stunning. I simply had to investigate her and her rather splendid outfit. Who and what was she? So I asked my fb friends for thoughts. Their guesses ranged from aristocracy to shopkeeper. I didn't think aristocracy would get photographed in the Goldhawk Road ... but who knows? Actress? Bassano or Elliot and Fry whould be more likely snappers.
Well, I was right to dismiss the aristocracy and the artistocracy ... this is a 'Sunday best' picture ...
Louisa Briggs Hillier was born in the salubrious city of Bristol and christened there 10 June 1827. Father was Richard Hillier (1782-1843), a grocer, mother was Mary née Day (1795-1870), and they produced no less than thirteen children, beginning with Richard Masey Hillier in 1815 and ending with Amelia Georgiana in 1841. Father died in 1843, mother remarried one Peter Bayley, and the family dispersed far and wide. At least three of them -- Mary Jane (Mrs Daniel Holborow, 1819-1900), James Briggs (1834-1926) and Oliver Oriel (1837-1882) -- emigrated to Australia. I have followed up the brothers and sisters a little, but since at least ten of them seem to have had good to long lives, and most of those wed and bred .. I think I had better just stick to our Louisa for now.
Louisa married Mr Thomas Bradley (x 12 July 1822), linen draper and mercer, initially in partnership with his elder brother, William (x 11 June 1821), at number 6 Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square
And, latterly, on his own:
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting and carried on between us the undersigned, William Bradley and Thomas Bradley, as Linen Drapers and Mercers, at No. 6, Cranbourn-street, Leicester-square, in the county of Middlesex, has been dissolved from the day of the date hereof by mutual consent.— Dated this 27th day of January, 1854." William Bradley. Thomas Bradley.
The couple had four children in the more than thirty years that they lived and worked in Cranbourn Street. Laura Louise Elizabeth, the eldest, died at the age of fourteen, her younger sister, Mary Frances at nineteen, the only son, Thomas William (b 28 April 1861) went into the drapery business and married his cousin, Ada Rosalie Miles. The marriage seems to have been shortlived: in 1911 husband and wife can be seen both running drapery establishments in Bristol. Separately. Thomas died in Bristol 1 May 1913. Then Alice Maud Beatrice .... hang on! I've investigated Alice before! As recently as May 2020! It's Alice of the perched tennis-hat!
"Alice Maud Beatrice BRADLEY (b Soho August 1870; d 9 Webster Gardens, Ealing 3 February 1933) daughter of Thomas Bradley, draper and his wife Louisa Briggs née Hillier. Siblings Laura Louisa, Thomas, Mary Frances ...
Although living in Soho, father was from Kendal, where this photo was taken, so it seems as if Alice was on holiday with family. Witness the props. By 1891, father has become a hosier and haberdasher and the Bradleys are nowliving in Ashchurch Terrace, Hammersmith. By 1901 Louisa is a widow, and Alice, knocking thirty, is ogling the shelf. But in 1908 she married widower John Garnham Mumford, tailor's cutter, and on 9 January 1909, at 10 Disraeli Rd, gave birth to John William Mumford. Mr Mumford went on to become an 'outfitter'. Mr Mumford jr became 'commercial traveller, drapery'. JG died in 1926. Alice in 1933, leaving 5747L."
Although living in Soho, father was from Kendal, where this photo was taken, so it seems as if Alice was on holiday with family. Witness the props. By 1891, father has become a hosier and haberdasher and the Bradleys are nowliving in Ashchurch Terrace, Hammersmith. By 1901 Louisa is a widow, and Alice, knocking thirty, is ogling the shelf. But in 1908 she married widower John Garnham Mumford, tailor's cutter, and on 9 January 1909, at 10 Disraeli Rd, gave birth to John William Mumford. Mr Mumford went on to become an 'outfitter'. Mr Mumford jr became 'commercial traveller, drapery'. JG died in 1926. Alice in 1933, leaving 5747L."
I can't find the date of Thomas Bradley's demise. But I've picked up the odd bit about Louisa's siblings. I see it was Mary Jane's husband, Daniel (1818-1896) who sponsored her young brothers to go to Australia ... drapery again!
And our Louisa? Well, she was a linen-draper's wife. I guess that is why she was able to make of have made garments of the very choicest stuffs.
And look! (Never give up!) brother-in-law William! From France, eh? Is that to where he vanished! Bordeaux ...
Tidying up the ends, and I found this ....
Thomas and William's parents, and two sisters ... in St Thomas's Churchyard, Kendal ...
And look! (Never give up!) brother-in-law William! From France, eh? Is that to where he vanished! Bordeaux ...
Fascinating as always. Brilliant how you manage to find out so much. Am a tad envious.��
ReplyDelete