Children of Robert and Louisa – B

The group photo shows five daughters and three granddaughters. The caption is in Robert’s hand, rather shaky (he died in 1885). I think it may date from 1878, in which case the photo commemorates a family gathering to mark Louisa Jane’s marriage to the Reverend Venn. She may be the woman in white, as Queen Victoria had made this colour fashionable for brides. Her wedding would have been attended by her sister Susan, married to the Rev Leslie-Melville, who may have brought her two youngest children with her. Mabel was based in Scotland, so could have brought her daughter Irene to the party, and Emily Alexina (lying on the ground with a niece) would still have been living at home. The other older sister may be the legendary Elizabeth Caroline, on leave from missionary duties.