John Bell & Margaret Cowan missing BMDs

[cristeen]

I am researching this couple out of sheer nosiness! some frustrating hard to locate records are creating gaps in their story & I don't like gaps!
John Bell born around 1818 Newcastle upon Tyne (parents Thomas & Margaret)
Margaret Ann Cowan born abt 1827 South Shields, parents unknown
No marriage to be found, any help appreciated.
Children as follows:
BELL, AMELIA  SERENA     COWAN     
GRO Reference: 1845  M Quarter in DURHAM AND LANCHESTER  Volume 24  Page 93
Cannot find a baptism
BELL, JOHN  CHARLES     COWAN     
GRO Reference: 1853  D Quarter in RIPON  Volume 09A  Page 58
BELL, MARGARET  LOUISA     COWAN     
GRO Reference: 1855  D Quarter in RIPON  Volume 09A  Page 64
BELL, CLARA  ANN     COWAN     
GRO Reference: 1857  S Quarter in RIPON  Volume 09A  Page 71   
BELL, WILLIAM  HENRY     COWAN     
GRO Reference: 1859  M Quarter in RIPON  Volume 09A  Page 68
I have baptisms for these four and burials for Margaret Louisa & William Henry, all at Ripon/Sharow
Interestingly the 1851 census shows John as unmarried, living at Picton Place Newcastle with widowed mother & siblings. Margaret seems to be lodging in Edinburgh with Amelia.
1861 shows john in Kensington with Amelia & John Charles, Margaret Ann is in Elswick with Clara Ann.
John remarries as a widower in 1865. I can't find any suitable death for Margaret, or a sensible 1871 return if they parted. John was very wealthy & in the public eye, I think it unlikely he would risk bigamy.
Any help finding BMDs for Margaret would be great

[CaroleW]

Margaret was only about 18 when first child born.  Being from the North East - any chance they married in Scotland?

[Millmoor]

From Freereg Baptisms

Durham St Oswald 24 Jan 1845

Amelia Serena Bell - Parents John and Margaret

Abode Church Street

Father occupation Iron Merchant

It is image no 738 in the Bts for Durham St Oswald.

William

[cristeen]

CaroleW I have searched Scotland, via Ancestry/FindMyPast/Family Search & Scotlands People for a marriage with no luck. I've searched from around 1835 through to 1851 with no luck.
Millmoor, thanks for the baptism record, I always like to know where they were living I really must put FreeReg on my list of goto's

[lizdb]

You say John was wealthy - did he leave a Will?  If so, it may well mention his children and, possibly clarify the matter. If he and MArgaret never married then it is possible the Will may refer to that. It may not - but you never know.

[cristeen]

You say John was wealthy - did he leave a Will?  If so, it may well mention his children and, possibly clarify the matter. If he and MArgaret never married then it is possible the Will may refer to that. It may not - but you never know.

Good thinking lizdb, he did leave a will. i have probate details and a newspaper report summarising his bequests but have taken the plunge & ordered the document.

[Girl Guide]

Hhmm, I haven't investigated this one further to check if it could be the right one

Marriages Dec 1845   
**BELL    John        Carlisle    25   66    
BEWSHER    John        Carlisle    25   66   
**COWEN    Margaret        Carlisle    25   66    
DOBINSON    Hannah        Carlisle    25   66    
HOWE    Dorathy        Carlisle    25   66    
Kitchin    Daniel        Carlisle    25   66    
MARSHALL    Jane        Carlisle    25   66    
SCOTT    Stewart        Carlisle    25   66

[cristeen]

Girlguide, thank you, well spotted! That could be them, I will look at census info & other Bell/Cowan/Cowen births to see if I can eliminate other possible couples

[cristeen]

Not them I'm afraid, from The Carlisle Journal 22nd November 1845
Margaret Cowen married Daniel Kitchen & John Bell married Hannah Dobinson