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Successful blended family
The evidence for the warm relationship between TLM-P and his step-sisters includes:
- The name TLM-P chose for his last station, Maroon, was the name of Louisa’s last home at 23 Fernlea Road, Balham, London.
- TLM-P's daughter Rosa (Praed) was close enough to be present at Louisa’s death.1)
- There is a beautifully made photo album inscribed ‘The Hon[oura]ble Thomas Murray Prior from L.M Prior June 18th 1878’, that is from Louisa.2)
- The next year, Jemina gave TLM-P another handsomely bound book, a large Family Bible with the inscription that it was ‘The Gift of his Sister Jemina, November 13th, 1879’, that is, for his 60th birthday.
- Seven years later, Jemina gave him a beautifully illustrated and boxed Book of Common Prayer has the inscription ‘Tho[ma]s L. Murray-Prior. The gift of his Sister Jemina. Southsea. 13 Nov[ember]r 1886’.
- TLM-P also refers affectionately to Jemina and Louisa in his diaries.3)
- Jemina Prior left TLM-P £1,000 on her death in 1899 (roughly around $163,698 in today’s values), as well as leaving TLM-P her ‘music box’ and various items to other members of TLM-P’s family.4) Do these still exist now, I wonder?