Grave 82
     

Matilda Samuel

1796  – 1867

Here lies [male version]
woman Malka daughter of Mr
Samuel from London died
day Tues 2 
Shevat buried day Thurs
age seventy one in the year 5627
May her soul be bound up in the bond of life eternal

פנ
מרתמלכהבתר
שמואלמלאנדוןשהלכה
לשלמהכיוםגלחדש
שבטונקברהביוםהלהר
עשקבתשבעיםשנהואהד
שנתתרכזפהבאטה
ת  נ   צ   ב   ה 


Sacred
TO THE MEMORY OF
MATILDA SAMUEL
SECOND DAUGHTER OF THE LATE
SAMUEL SAMUEL ESQRE
OF LONDON.
BORN THE 13TH OF APRIL 1796
DIED THE 8TH OF JANY 1867.
SHVAT 3RD 5627.


Matilda Samuel was born in Whitechapel London in 1796. Her father was Samuel Samuel, a merchant, and her mother Brindella (Bridget) Benjamin.

Matilda had 11 siblings, six brothers and six sisters. The first trace of the family is in the 1841 census when they were living at Leman Street in London. Three of her brothers emigrated to the USA and only the eldest daughter, Henrietta, married. 

There is no trace of Matilda in the 1851 or 1861 census, either in the UK or USA. However, the will  and census records for Matilda and her sisters provide some clues. From Matilda's will we know that she had lived at  Leman Street 'and recently visiting at Frankfurt on the Maine' afterwards at Upper Westbourne Terrace but most recently at 10 North Parade, Bath. The notice of her death reported in the Bath Chronicle also records that she was 'for some years resident at Frankfort-on-the-Maine'.   From the probate record for her sister Caroline, who also died in 1867, we know that she also lived in Frankfurt-am-Main. 

Both then went to live near their eldest sister Henrietta in Upper Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, before coming to Bath probably in late 1866. They may have come for their own health reasons and also to see their brother David and his wife Hetty who were visiting from Philadelphia because of Hetty's health. 

The family also had connections in Bath through Matilda's great uncle, Moses Samuel. He had been warden of the Great Synagogue in London and had retired to Bath (although he died in London). He gave a substantial donations towards the cost of the new Bath synagogue in Corn Street, but had died before it was consecrated.

Matilda died in April 1867  from kidney disease at a lodging house at 10 North Parade. Caroline was also at this address but then returned to London where she died in October 1867.  In her will Matilda leaves effects of £2,000. She makes specific requests of her Jewellery to her sisters and nieces and also bequests to friends in Frankfurt on Maine. 
Only Matilda's eldest sister Henrietta married to Lewis Samuel (a cousin). Their youngest son Isaac Bunford Samuel proved the wills for  all his unmarried aunts.

In the 1861 census, Henrietta, now a widow is recorded living in 21 Upper Westbourne Terrace Paddington with her two daughters Emily and Maria. Their sisters Sarah and Emma were also living in Paddington.

Emma and Sarah Samuel are recorded as living with friends in Paddington in the 1871 and 1881 census. They both died in London were their youngest sister Mary Ann also died.

Matilda's cousin, Samuel Moses Samuel, son of Moses Samuel, gave a donation towards the purchase of the land to extend the Burial Ground in 1861. 

The probate records for both sisters were proved by their nephew, Isaac Bunford Samuel, son of her sister Henrietta and her husband Isaac Samuel (a cousin).  

Matilda's sister in law, Hetty Samuel (wife of her brother David) also died in Bath  in May 1867 (grave 81). In 1922 her son J Bunford Samuel  exhumed Hetty's body and transported it and her tombstone to Philadelphia where her husband David  was buried.  
Census records
  1841     Leman Street   London
Name | Age
Birth
Relationship
Occupation
  1851   39  Bishopsgate Street    London
Name | Age
Birth
Relationship
Occupation
Associated addresses
  1867-1867   1   North Parade   Bath
  Lodging House. Place of death Matilda Samuel