Lewisham (Lee) Daltons (D'Altons)

[jomcd967]

The will of Oliver D'Alton formerly of Dorset Street, Salisbury Square in the City of London but late of 101 Freshfield Road Brighton in the County of Sussex, Gentleman who died 8 Feb 1889 at the "New Albion" Hotel Dieppe in France was proved at the Principal Registry by Eliza Powell of 101 Freshfield Road Spinster the sole executor.

So do you have any of the children's birth certificates and is their mother Eliza Powell - who lived as Oliver's wife?

Jo

[jomcd967]

I just found the diverse for Mary Sydney Anne d'Alton & Oliver D'Alton in 1875, wife's petition! But still no marriage to Eliza?

[jomcd967]

Whoops - that should be divorce - of course.

[KGarrad]

I knew what you meant!

[jomcd967]

Well Mary didn't die in 1878 as she is still in an ongoing custody battle with Oliver in 1880!

Jo 

[Roy G]

Custody of whom Jo?

Interesting that Oliver senior went from a Commercial Clerk to being a Gentleman, for unless Oliver junior was his last fling with his legitimate wife, it looks as though those children of his born post 1879 were those of his mistress. 

Ironically, I have only been collecting info on his son, not from an ancestral interest, but because I wanted the family background of Oliver Junior who became known as "The Slot Machine King" ( http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1854027 )  making his fortune from pennies local people and tourists spent hiring bathing machines and in local amusement arcades.  His surname became part of Brighton folklore, (Dalton's Beach) and he became one of the three richest men in the town.  Unfortunately, the local encyclopedias have yet to mention him. 

Having spent a lot of my misguided youth on that beach in particular and in his amusement arcades on the Palace Pier, I felt the significant inroads he had made into my personal spending potential deserved some form of acknowledgement.    By the way he died in October 1939.     Roy G 

[jomcd967]

Hi Roy,
"Interesting that Oliver senior went from a Commercial Clerk to being a Gentleman"

Oliver calls himself a gentleman on his marriage to Mary Sidney, so no great change. The custody relates to Oliver Cleveland D'Alton & Henry Geary D'Alton. Apparently Oliver & Mary were both Catholics, married in a Catholic church and then Oliver decided to become a Protestant. This caused great stress in the marriage (along with the alleged physical/mental abuse and adultery) as Oliver wanted the boys raised as Protestants and Mary wanted them raised Catholic. Although there is a lady named on the adultery charge, it is not unfortunately an Eliza (although there are further charges of adultery with unnamed ladies). There are no references to any further children or marriages relating to Oliver and the last custody entry is in 1881. Oliver Cleveland D'Alton ended up in Australia, not sure what happened to Henry and I can't find a death for Mary SA although there is a Mary S Dalton on the electoral roll in 1891 at 27 Craster Road in Lambeth (not there on the 91 census). Interesting that he named two children Oliver whilst both were living! A copy of Oliver Sn's will could be illuminating. Any way Roy, it was an interesting post, thanks for sharing.

Cheers, Jo 

[jomcd967]

Hi Roy,

A couple of articles relating to Oliver's and his 11 year old sons deaths from The Times.

Jo 

[jomcd967]

Ok, not sure what's going on but I don't seem to have an option to attach a file anymore??

Have the articles listed above but have also found a very interesting article involving Oliver Dalton, clerk and his brother in law Mr Geary, they had an altercation and Oliver smashed up his in-laws house. As a result of this another Mr Oliver Dalton, clerk posted a notice that he did not want to be confused with the Oliver Dalton that shared his name and occupation and who was charged with violence at his brother in laws house!!!

Will happily post it if I can work out how!!!

Jo