Local Folk

Lloyds Weekly Newspaper

Sir John George & Lady Blaker

By Josie Campbell

Records sadly show that the twin daughters born to Sir John George & Lady Blaker died young, Victoria in 1899 and Louise in 1902.

The following is taken from Lloyds Weekly Newspaper 23rd August 1896:
The Corporation and inhabitants of Brighton have presented their Mayor and Mayoress, Mr Alderman J G Blaker and Mrs Blaker with a silver cradle in commemoration of the birth on April 21 of twin daughters. The presentation service, which was supplied by Messrs Lawson and Son of Old Steine, Brighton, consists of a solid silver centre-piece with four compotiers to match, and furnished with cut-glass dishes. The centre-piece is a plateau 33in. long, with figures of cupids at each end bearing garlands of roses. In the centre is a richly-chased pedestal, a cradle in the form of nautilus shells being suspended from it, whilst the figure of a Bacchante surmounts a beautifully cut-glass dish. On either side of the plateau is a shield, one bearing the arms of Brighton, the other the following inscription:- 'Presented by members of the Council and inhabitants of the borough to Alderman J G Blaker and Mrs Blaker, Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton, in commemoration of the birth, on the 21st April, of their twin daughters, Victoria Mary and Louise Dagmar.'