Miss Constance Magra
(1858-1891)
30 July 1866

Volume 8, page 6. sitting number 9646.

[The dog seen in this portrait is a stuffed prop that belonged to the studio. It appears in dozens of other Silvy portraits, always in exactly the same position.]

Identified as 'Miss C. Magra' in the Silvy daybooks, this is Miss Constance Angelica Charles Magra, who was christened on 5 July 1858 at Hurstpierpoint in Sussex. Her parents were Charles William Perkins Magra of the 21st Regiment and his wife Augusta. At the time of the 1871 census, the family were living in Upper Norwood, South London. Charles Magra described himself as a 'retired army captain.'

On 30 April 1885 at Christ Church in Norwood Constance married George Augustus Kerr, son of Thomas Coulter Kerr of the India Office. At the time of the marriage, the groom gave his profession as 'Broker.'

Mrs Constance Kerr died on 19 Febuary 1891, aged only 31, at Friday Wood House, Berechurch, Colchester, Essex. She was buried on 24 February 1891 at Norwood Cemetery. 

A brief obituary appeared in the Norwood News (28 February 1891): 'A large circle of friends in Upper Norwood and the neighbourhood will hear with regret of the death of a lady lately resident here. We refer to the demise of Constance, the wife of Mr George Augustus Kerr, which occurred at Friday Wood House, Colchester, on Thursday, the 19th inst. The deceased lady was the only daughter of the late Captain Magra, of the 21st Regiment, who was for many years resident at Highland Lodge, Fox Hill. The family of the bereaved husband, who live at Salter's Hill, will have many sympathisers in their sorrow.'

George Augustus Kerr appears two month's later on the 1891 census, living at his parent's residence, Woodside, Salter's Hill, Norwood. Also present were George's three sons: Ronald, Ivan and Campbell. Campbell was only five months old, so it seems likely that Constance died from post-partum complications.