Misses Eleanor and Constance Williams
(1847-1935 and 1849-1941)
22 April 1862

Volume 6, page 226, sitting number 7773. 

Eleanor Mary Williams and Minna Constance Williams were the daughters of solicitor Charles Reynolds Williams and his wife Margaret Marshall Williams née Romer. Eleanor was born in Marylebone on 10 October 1847 and Constance was born in the same place on 24 March 1849.

The family appear on the 1861 census living at 48 Gloucester Square in Bayswater, on the north side of Hyde Park a short walk from Silvy’s studio. Also present on the night of the census were the girls' younger brother Romer Williams and six servants, including a butler and a footman.

Eleanor married the Scottish barrister Eugene Wason, son of Rigby Wason, on 14 June 1870 at St Michael and All Angels in Paddington. Her husband later sat in the House of Commons three times as a Liberal Member of Parliament. He was once described by a contemporary Speaker as ‘the largest and tallest man in the House.’ Their marriage produced five children.

On 4 April 1872 Constance married solicitor Harry William Lee, second son of John B. Lee of Sonning, at St Michael’s Church in Paddington. Their marriage produced four children.

The sisters’ father Charles Reynolds Williams died, aged 89, on 20 November 1905 at Dolmelynllyn, Dolgelley, Merionethshire. He left an estate valued at £85,087.

Eleanor Mary Wason, widow, died on 15 March 1935 at 8 Sussex Gardens, Paddington, leaving an estate valued at £47,325.

Minna Constance Lee of Gelligmlyn, Dolgelley, Merionethshire, widow, died on 23 March 1941, leaving an estate valued at £11,014. She was 91 years old.