Hi Ray,
Thanks for the net sites. Will check later. I had found mention of the almshouses in Hitchin and had thought maybe Edward had served there as a doctor. He had only graduated in 1854 and thought he may have been serving his internship in the poorhouses. Since there was no mention of him in the PO Directory I think they must have been visiting friends or relations.
Edward definitely left home after 1855 sometime and joined the Chilean Navy as a surgeon. He was never heard from again. His wife had the son Edward William christened in 1859 so think that she must have given up hope for him returning home. Through a kind person on Rootschat I was directed to Google Books and found mention of Eduardo Mayhew, serving in the Chilean Navy as a 2nd class ships surgeon in 1859. Although the family made contact with diplomatic authorities in Santiago in the 1870's, nobody knew anything about him being in the Navy. There was one report that he died in 1874 and was buried in Illapel, Coquimbo. This has not been substantiated so cannot say for sure. Although it seems a strange journey for Edward to take I was quite surprised that there were a number of English names amongst the crews of the CN. Any ideas on tracing him on other sites? Thanks for your interest.
Regards, Margaret.