Mrs Robert Mitford
(1807-1878)
22 July 1862

Identified in the Silvy daybooks as ‘Mrs Robert Mitford,’ this is probably the wife of Admiral Robert Mitford (1781-1870).

Born Margaret Dunsmure in Edinburgh on 9 September 1807, she was the eldest daughter of James Dunsmure of Edinburgh. Her mother was Susanna née Drysdale. 

On 7 December 1830 she married Robert Mitford of the Royal Navy.

According to Admiral Mitford’s memorial plaque in Hunmanby All Saints’ Church in Yorkshire, their marriage produced one daughter, Margaret Susan, who married William Amhurst Tyssen Amhurst of Didlington Hall, Norfolk.

The couple appear on the 1861 census living at 1 Pleydell Gardens in Folkestone. Admiral Mitford was 80 years old and his wife was 53. Also present on the night of the census were their three young granddaughters: Mary, Sibyl and Florence Amhurst; two nieces, Fanny and Louisa Bigge; and seven servants.

Mrs Margaret Mitford died at Buckenham Hall in Norfolk on 24 June 1878, aged 70. She left a personal estate valued at £20,000.

She was buried in the parish church at Didlington. According to an In Memoriam card, 'A new and spacious vault had been prepared immediately under the west front of the tower, and here in reverent solemnity were laid the remains of one who in life was most dearly beloved, and whose memory will long be cherished by all who knew her. [...] During her residence at Buckenham the deceased lady had endeared herself to all around her, whatever were their station or position in life. Her benevolence and kindly interest in the poor will make her loss much felt, and all who had the privilege of knowing her, will, owing to her sincerity and true Christian excelllence which she manifested on all occasions, feel that they have lost a friend.' 

[I am very grateful to James Dalley for sending me a scan of Mrs Mitford's In Memoriam card.]