History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

Lizzie was born as Eliza Catherine Smith on 12 June 1870 in Marylebone, probably at 14 Charles Street which was re-named and numbered in 1880 as 22 Mortimer Street. Several Internet sites wrongly claim she was born in Dalston Hackney, or 93 Abbey Road Mansions St John’s Wood.  Her father was W.A. (William Augustine) Smith (1827 to 1909). He was an important picture frame maker for leading artists such as George Frederic Watts and John Singer Sargent. On 13 July 1847 William married Hester Heath at St Andrew, Holborn. They had three daughters and five sons between 1849 and 1870. Eliza (Lizzie) was the youngest child.  The Smith family moved several times: 1871 census, 14 Charles Street (later renamed as Mortimer Street). 1881 census, 10 Grove Terrace, Kentish Town. 1901 census, 7 Regent’s Park Terrace, St Pancras. Eliza is shown as a harpist in this census. Her father William Augustus Smith died on 28 Nov 1909 at 5 Fleet Road, Hampstead.   William Augustine Smith 1895, by ...