15 - Another Break

Summary

We do not know the exact date of Aldridge's arrival in London on the completion of his seventh tour of Russia, but it must have been close to a year after the death of his wife Margaret at the end of March 1864. Aldridge was now ready to move on to a new phase of his life by marrying his paramour, Amanda, with whom he had already had two children, Irene Luranah Pauline and Frederick Olof.

The wedding took place at St. John the Evangelist Parish Church in Penge, a southern suburb of London not far from their house on Hamlet Road in that community (fig. 13). The witnesses were J. J. and Mary Sheahan, his old friends from Hull. On the marriage registration certificate, Aldridge was listed as a widower, histrionic actor, and son of Daniel Aldridge, a clerk (fig. 14). His bride was described as Amonda [sic] Pauline Von Brandt, a spinster and daughter of Uloff Von Brandt, a Baron of Sweden. There is no mention of Aldridge's illegitimate teenage son, Ira Daniel, as being present at the ceremony.

However, Ira Daniel wrote respectful letters of congratulation to both his father and new stepmother on the day they were married:

MY DEAR FATHER,—I write to congratulate you on the occasion of your marriage and to wish you and my dear stepmother every joy and happiness in your new relationship.

I am sure that you will find in Madame a true and loving wife, and one who will fill the lonely void so recently left in your home and your heart.

I shall use my best endeavor to continue to deserve your love and shall strive to the utmost of my power to win that of my stepmother by deference to her wishes and brotherly kindness to her children.

That you may be long spared to enjoy ever-increasing happiness is the most earnest wish of

Your dutiful and affectionate son,

IRA DANIEL ALDRIDGE

The letter to his stepmother was neatly tied with blue silk ribbon:

MY DEAR MADAM,—It is with great pride and happiness that I feel now able to address you as Step-mother and I hope most sincerely that you may be long spared to us.