I wonder, can anyone find a marriage between Adam Clarke and Mary Eacock (née Willoughby) circa 1884-1889? Both were from the Ledbury area and lived in Colwall.
Adam was born in Ledbury around 1821. He married Emma Clarke (I don't think she was a relative) in 1841 and had five children (James, Ann, Tirzah, Elizabeth and Adam Anthony) between 1844 and 1858. Adam's wife Emma died in 1887.
Mary Willoughby was born in Colwall, near Ledbury in 1855 (yes, much younger than Adam). In 1880 she married Thomas Eacock, who was her aunt's nephew-by-marriage. They had two sons: Arthur Henry (1881) and Gilbert William (1884).
Mary's marriage to Thomas was in some way terminated or dissolved because by 1891 she lived with Adam Clarke, by whom she had 6 more children. I assume her first marriage ended in divorce or was annulled because Thomas was very much alive, and died in 1904. But, if she was divorced, why can't I find a marriage between herself and Adam? His first wife died in 1887, so he was free to marry it seems. I also find it strange that the Clarke family lived for a time in Colwall, not far from Thomas Eacock. Curiously, his own son Gilbert William later used the surname "Clarke" as his own surname...
If Mary and Thomas were divorced, does anyone know where their divorce papers might be kept?