Social Victorians/People/Reuben David Sassoon

Also Known As

 * Family name: Sassoon
 * Sassoon Family

Timeline
1883, fourth quarter, Luna Sasson and Elias Gubbay married.

1893, second quarter, Flora Cecilia Sassoon and Ernest George Raphael married.

1897 July 2, Friday, Mr. R. Sassoon (probably Reuben David Sassoon, #533 in the list of people present) and Miss Sassoon (possibly Rachel Sassoon, #534) attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House.

1897, third quarter, Rachel Ricarda Sassoon and John Augustus Marrot married.

1914 July 9, Miss Louisa Sassoon and Charles Boyle married in Brighton.



Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's 2 July 1897 Fancy-dress Ball
Mr. R. Sassoon and Miss Sassoon are mentioned in the Times as having attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball. He is probably Reuben David Sassoon.

Reuben David Sassoon
Maull & Fox's portrait of "Reuben David Sassoon as a Persian Prince" in costume is photogravure #201 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. The printing on the portrait says, "Mr. Reuben D. Sassoon as a Persian Prince," with a Long S in Sassoon.

The Gentlewoman says Reuben Sassoon was dressed as a "Persian noble."



Miss Sassoon
Esmé Collings's portrait (left) of "Miss Sassoon as a Japanese Lady" in costume is photogravure #212 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery. The printing on the portrait says, "Miss Sassoon as a Japanese Lady," with a Long S in Miss and Sassoon.

Normally, with British honorifics, Miss without a first name would signify the eldest daughter. If normal practice was used, then Miss Sassoon is Rachel Sassoon. Rueben Sassoon's unmarried daughters at the time of the ball were
 * 1) Rachel Ricarda Sassoon, about 37 at the time of the ball
 * 2) Mozelle Sassoon, about 29
 * 3) Louise Judith Sassoon, about 23

Given how prominent that young, unmarried women were at the ball, it seems mostly likely that at least one of the purposes of the portraits would have been to flatter them to attract prospective husbands.

The Gentlewoman says Miss Sassoon was wearing a Japanese costume: "purple, orange, crimson, and gold; the finest specimen of Japanese embroidery ever seen in England."

It is not clear whether Miss Sassoon has darkened her face.

Demographics

 * Nationality: English
 * Religion: Jewish

Family

 * Reuben David Sassoon (1835– 7 March 1905 )
 * Kate (Catherine) Ezekiel Sassoon (1838–1906)
 * 1) Rachel Ricarda Sassoon (1860 – 10 November 1920 )
 * 2) Luna Sassoon (1866 – 9 October 1916 )
 * 3) David Reuben (1867 – 8 November 1929 )
 * 4) Mozelle Sassoon (19 May 1869 – 11 August 1896)
 * 5) Flora Cecilia Sassoon (c. 1870 – 30 Mar 1956 )
 * 6) Louise Judith Sassoon (1874 – 10 February 1964 )


 * Elias (Maurice Elias) Gubbay
 * Luna Sassoon (1866 – 9 October 1916)
 * Vera C Gubbay (c. 1886 – )

Notes and Questions

 * 1) Of Reuben David Sassoon's daughters, Luna and Flora married before 1897, and Rachel married right after the ball; besides Rachel, the unmarried daughters (and thus Miss Sassoon) were Mozelle and Louise. Both are possible because Mozelle would have been 28 years old and Louise 23. Perhaps someone with knowledge of the family could recognize which one from the photograph at the National Portrait Gallery.
 * 2) If Reuben David Sassoon was at the ball, was his wife, Kate (Catherine Ezekiel) Sassoon?
 * 3) The 1871 census lists Reuben D. Sasson, Catherine Sassoon, David Sassoon, Rachel Sassoon, Luna Sassoon, Mozelle Sassoon, Flora C. Sassoon from the immediate family; Arthur D. Sasson (brother), Hababa David (sister in law), Anna Missim (niece); as well as 11 female and 6 male servants, ranging from 15 to 42 in age.
 * 4) In the 1881 census, Reuben David Sassoon's household is listed as having 14 servants present that day, including 7 men, all aged between 18-36, many nearer 20 than 35. Two governesses — one French — are listed as well.
 * 5) The 1891 census lists Catherine Sassoon at home with her two daughters Rachel and Louise, plus a French governess and 8 female and 6 male servants.
 * 6) The 1901 census lists Reuben D. Sasson, Catherine Sassoon, David R. Sassoon (now 33 years old), Vera C. Gubbay (granddaughter), and 15 female and 6 male servants. This census lists Vera C. Gubbay as the daughter of David R. Sassoon, but she is most likely the daughter of Elias Gubbay?
 * 7) In the 1911 census, Reuben David Sassoon's household is listed as having 21 servants present that day, including 6 men, all aged 19–50.