ELIZA HARROD of Exeter married Henry Orland Chamberlain in 1795

[rkive82]

It's been well reported that Eliza Harrod of Exeter was the first wife of Henry Orland Chamberlain. They married on 1st January 1795 at St Andrew Undershaft in the City of London.
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"On 1 January 1795 he married firstly Elizabeth Harrod, of Exeter, and in 1813 they were divorced by an Act of Parliament." Irreconcilable differences? I wonder why?
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I have never seen any mention of Eliza after that. Did she return to Exeter? Where and when did she die? Who were her parents and when was she born?
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Any information about Eliza would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Richard

[..claire..]

Hi

A newspaper report suggests that Eliza committed adultery

On Henry's posting to Lisbon as Agent of the Packets she appeared to have been sent back to London by him after he suspected an illicit connection with a Mr Alcock a British merchant.

When back home she lived at various lodgings and became friendly with a Lieutenant Bromage with whom she committed adultery with.

In her defence she said he should have shown her more attention and placed her in the care of his friends rather than abandoning her.

Claire

[rkive82]

Thanks Claire. I am in CA and eight hours behind U.K. time.
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I wonder if Eliza lived with Mr. Bromage after the divorce? Or with one of her children?
Richard

[..claire..]

I've been having a look and at the moment she seems to have vanished, interesting Henry didn't waste much time and remarried in the same year to Ann Eugenia. His son Henry witnessed the marriage.

I have also checked Henry's Will from 1829 in the hope there may have been a mention of Eliza, but nothing.

There is also the birth of an Eliza Harrod mother Charlotte in Exeter in 1814, possible family and maybe worth chasing up, as there doesn't seem to be many 'Harrods' about.

Claire

[rkive82]

Thank you Claire.
I wonder if/how I can access Henry's will? I have Anc*****, MyH******* and FamilySearch of course.
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Was this Henry ORLAND Chamberlain, while his son was Henry ORLANDO (with an O) Chamberlain?
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I shall look for Eliza Harrod born 1814. Perhaps we'll find that our Eliza lived to see the 1841 Census?
EDIT: I see that no father is mentioned for this Eliza's birth in 1814.
Richard

[..claire..]

Hi

Henry's Will is on Anc* - part of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury collection. The Will is dated 27 August 1829, - under Sir Henry Chamberlain ( I checked his birth and death Wik*pedia), I think he was made a baronet the year before he died. His son died in the 1840's I think but couldn't see a will for him.

I have looked for Eliza in 1841/51 but nothing has sprung out at me yet.

Possibly she remarried ? There are a number of Eliza(Beth) Chamberlain marriages on Anc* LMA collection - I wouldn't have thought a mother would have moved away from her children, possibly finding them on a census may lead to her.

Claire

[rkive82]

Here's a person of interest perhaps.
Susannah Abigail Harrod married Samuel Lilly Baker in 1794 at St Andrew Undershaft - the same church as the wedding of Eliza and Henry. The Pallot record even seems to list Eli** Harrod as a witness.
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Susan(nah) and Samuel name a son Samuel Chamberlain Baker born (apparently) in November 1796. Why would they do that? Surely there's a connection here.
Richard

[rkive82]

Elia (Eliza) Harrod and Susan Baker née Harrod must have been sisters. They were witnesses at each other's wedding at the same church.
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I shall investigate further.
Richard

[..claire..]

Yes I've just checked both signatures - she signs as Elia both times as opposed to Eliza. Definitely worth looking into the possibility of them being sisters

The marriage Licences are both on Anc* too - no additional info on them apart from they were both 21 years and upwards. And Samuel was a surgeon. ( He is transcribed as Samuel Silly Baker on the Licence by Anc*)