Lady Tierney

Probably the widow of Sir Matthew Edward Tierney (1818-1860), 3rd Baronet Tierney of Brighthelmstone and of Dover Street. Born Mary Farrer, the daughter of Farrer Grove Spurgeon Farrer, she married Sir Matthew Edward Tierney in 1855.

She appears on the 1861 census, a ‘Baronet’s widow’ living at 73, Queen’s Terrace, Southampton. Born at Bath in Somerset, she was 40 at the time of the census so she was born in or about 1821.

She appears on the 1901 census, an 81-year-widow living at 20 Chapel Street in Knightsbridge with a lady's maid, housekeeper, housemaid, butler and footman.

Lady Mary Tierney died in London on 16 February 1908, leaving a sizeable estate valued at £302,953. In her will, she left provisions for the care of her canine companion: ‘As I am anxious my loving and dearly-loved fox terrier “Maisie” should have every comfort and attention, I bequeath an annuity of £12 a year to her to be paid for her to Sarah Fone [the above mentioned lady's maid], in addition to what I have already left her in my will, that in case of my darling “Maisie’s” illness, Fone can take her to London to see Mr Cousens, the only doctor that must attend my sweet pet. I also desire that she is only washed with his shampoo.'

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London.