Mrs Emden
(1820-1885)

Born in London’s Aldgate in or about 1820, Amelia Somers was the daughter of jeweller Lawrence Somers.

On 22 July 1845 at St Andrew’s in Holborn, she married William Samuel Emden, a ‘Comedian’ according to their marriage certificate. Professionally she was known henceforth as 'Mrs Emden.'

The couple appear on the 1851 census living at 12 & 13 Clements Lane, St Clements Dane, London. With them were their four sons, including an as yet unnamed boy born three days earlier; one lodger (a coal merchant); and one female servant and one nursemaid. Both William and Amalia gave ‘Theatrical’ as their profession. 

When the 1861 census was taken ten years later, William described himself as ‘Part Lessee [of the] Olympic Theatre.’

William Samuel Emden died on 4 January 1872 at 18 Upper Park Road, Haverstock Hill, London. He left an estate valued at £8000.

In 1881 Amelia was living at ‘Brotherston Villa’ in Islington with her son Alfred, a ‘Barrister in practice,’ her son Henry, an ‘Artist’ — he appears to have worked mainly in theatre design — and two servants, specifically a cook and a housemaid. 

Amelia Emden died, aged 66, on 26 September 1885 at 18 Upper Park Road, Haverstock Hill. 

She is possibly seen here as the maid-of-all-work in Charles Selby's one-act farce Boots at the Swan, which enjoyed an extensive run at the Olympic in London.