Amelia Saunders (buried 1913)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Saunders
First name: 
Amelia
Other Christian names: 
Sophia
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
702
Born: 
18/2/1847
Died: 
02/02/1913
Buried: 
06/02/1913
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Headstone for Amelia Saunders
Cemetery area: 
SWS
Cemetery row: 
2
Cemetery plot: 
4
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/valve.tree.leap
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In dear memory of Amelia Sophia the beloved wife of Francis Robert Saunders who died February 2nd 1913 aged 65 years.

Life story

Life story

Amelia Sophia Read was born in Singapore on 18th February 1847, she was baptised on 24th March 1847. Her parents were William Henry McLeod Read, 26yrs, East Indies Merchant, and Margaret Marjory, 19yrs, nee Cummings, born Scotland. When she was 2yrs old, Amelia's mother died and she was sent to live with her father's family in Marylebone, London.

In 1877, aged 30ys, Amelia married Francis Robert Saunders, 29yrs, on 24th July at St. Stephen's, Paddington, they lived at Durham Terrace, Paddington, Francis was the Secretary of Rochester Diocesan Society. They had no children. 

In March 1886, aged 38yrs, Francis became mentally ill and was admitted initially, to Moorcroft House, Hillingdon, and then, in June 1887, to Holloway Sanatorium, Virginia Waters, Surrey. 

Holloway Sanatorium, Virginia Waters, Surrey
Holloway Sanatorium, Virginia Waters, Surrey

Established in 1885, the Holloway Sanatorium served 'the insane of the middle class'. A spacious establishment filled with grandly furnished rooms overlooking sweeping lawns, it was a beautiful place to be treated. 

Francis returned to his family and in 1901 he was living with Amelia at the home of her father in Lewisham.  In1911, Amelia was living at 'Dalvey', Shakespeare Road, Worthing, with 2 lady companions, and in 1913, she died, aged 65yrs, on 2nd February. 

Probate was granted to Anna McLeod Carswell (wife of Henry Carswell), effects £3939 14s 10d. Value 2021 - £466K.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
18/02/1847
Address at birth: 
Singapore
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Read
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Francis Robert
Spouse one last name: 
Saunders
Marriage one date: 
24/07/1877
Marriage one address: 
Paddington, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
00/02/1915
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Dalvey, Shakespeare Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Anna McLeod Carswell status: wife of Henry Carswell
Probate pounds: 
£3,939

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1881 census: 

Living at 25, Durham Terrace, Paddington. Francis R. Saunders, 33yrs, Secretary Rochester Diocesan Society, wife, Amelia, 34yrs, aunt, Henrietta J. Read, 63yrs, gentlewoman, plus 4 domestic servants.

1901 census: 

Living at 16, Montpelier Row, Lewisham. William H. McLeod Read, 82yrs, Retired E. Indies Merchant, son-in-law, Francis R. Saunders, 53yrs, Retired Secretary, daughter, Amelia Sophia Saunders, 54yrs, great nephew, Hugh Percy Saunders, 31yrs, (Born in Tasmania).

1911 census: 

Living at Dalvey, Shakespeare Road, Worthing. Amelia Sophia Saunders, m. Hd.64yrs, 2 companions, Emily Louisa Prior, 45yrs, Francis Adelaide Gunn, 26yrs, temporary assistant, Elizabeth Bray, 36yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.