Miss Wilhelmina Milbank
(1846-1903)

Born on 18 December 1846 at Bedale in Yorkshire, Wilhelmina Louise Milbank was the younger daughter of Frederick Acclom Milbank, who later served as the Member of Parliament (Liberal) for the North Riding of Yorkshire between 1865 and 1885. He was created a Baronet in 1882. Her mother was Alexina Harriet Elizabeth née Don, daughter of Sir Alexander Don of Newton Don, Roxburghshire.

Wilhelmina was baptised at Bedale on 19 January 1847.

When the census was taken in 1871, she and her family were living at 5 Cromwell Gardens in Kensington. There were ten servants in the household, including a butler and two footmen.

In 1891 she was living with her parents at Thorp Perrow, their estate at Bedale. The household included 19 servants, with several gardeners, grooms and gamekeepers living in nearby houses in the grounds of the great house.  

 Miss ‘Minnie’ Wilhelmina Louise Milbank died, aged 56, at Barningham Park in Yorkshire on 3 March 1903. She left an estate valued at £23,301.

 [The Milbank family sat for Silvy on several occasions. Wilhelmina’s mother visited the studio twice, in 1860 and 1861. Her father sat for Silvy in 1860 and 1866. On 21 July 1862 her sister Alice visited the studio alone. Her brothers William Harry Vane Milbank and Powlett Charles John Milbank had their portraits taken by Silvy on 12 January 1861. That same day Silvy took a double portrait of Wihelmina and Alice. On 27 July 1864 the sisters returned to the studio together but sat for their portraits separately.]