'Mrs Brandreth'

Given that it is only 22 miles by road from Biggleswade to Houghton Regis, this is probably Mrs Humphrey Brandreth of Houghton Hall, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. Born Emma Jemima Barbara Smith in or about 1819 at Plymouth in Devon, she married Humphrey Brandreth on 11 July 1854 at Aspley Guise in Bedfordshire. Her husband was born Humphrey Gibbs in 1807 but took his mother's maiden name by Royal Warrant in 1846.

Humphrey Brandreth served as Sheriff of Bedfordshire between 13 February 1849 and 5 February 1850. He died at Houghton Hall on 7 April 1864. This portrait probably shows Mrs Brandreth sitting beside her late husband's bust.

Mrs Brandreth died at Houghton Hall on 16 December 1868, aged 49.

Photographed by Charles Norman of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.