Some fantastic work from Jen! I, too, agree that this must be Lily!
This is what I believe to be the write up from the newspaper regarding Isabella’s (shown above in photo) crime. I think the newspaper likely got mixed up with the name. I am not surprised as I have noticed this type of thing before with my own ancestors. I think the name on that wonderful mugshot photo will be the correct one.
‘Shields Daily News – Wednesday 8 April 1908
‘THEFT FROM A BACKYARD
At North Shields Police Court to-day, Elizabeth Wilson (16), and George Wilson (15) South Shields, were charged with having stolen from the backyard of a house in Park Crescent an overcoat, value 5s, the property of John F Phillips, on the 7th – Christina Phillips, wife of the prosecutor deposed to missing the overcoat and giving information to the police. P.C. Pallister said that he was on duty in George Street yesterday when he saw the accused. The girl had something bulky under her jacket. He asked what she was carrying, and she replied that it was a jacket belonging to her mother. He told her to produce it, and when she unfastened her jacket he found the missing overcoat, a description of which had been given to the police. He charged them with having stolen it, and they made no reply. He therefore brought them to the police station. The magistrates fined them each 5s and 5s costs, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment.’
I have noticed in the will above that the Isabella mentioned was from 4 Empress Street, South Shields .. so it may be possible that the girl mentioned in the theft above might be the same person. When I can next get to the archives I will check to see if there is also a photo of George Wilson under the same date. I really think the name Elizabeth would have been an error in the newspaper.
This is the Christ Church, marriage entry for the Isabella who married bigamously in North Shields ..
Entry 428
June 14 1908
Thomas William Robson & Isabella Fairbairn Wilson
His Age 30
Her Age 28
Bachelor & Spinster
Miner
His residence: 3 West Percy Street
Her residence: 36 Church Street
Fathers:
Joseph Robson (deceased) - Miner
John Wilson - Unclear - looks something like Mineral Guard or Musical Guard or similar?
He signed with a mark. She signed her name.
Witnesses: John Wilson & Emma (Softley?)
This Thomas' real name was Thomas Huscroft and his first legal marriage had taken place on February 28, 1897 according to the newspaper report of their bigamy trial.
As there are two different ages these two Isabellas are likely not one and the same. Perhaps if more information might come out at a later point it might be possible, hopefully, to identify which Isabella was the common law wife of John George - whether it was one of these two or perhaps someone totally different.
I wonder who the child was? Are they referring to a child between Isabella and John George? Or the child Lily Anderson born to wife Emma Anderson? There was a 24 year old Lily Anderson who died in the September quarter in Tynemouth in 1935. She is not in Preston Cemetery. Perhaps she might have been buried at Blyth Cemetery near to the address of Elizabeth Robson shown at Waterloo Road, Blyth.
Regarding Church Street .. I think I remember a link with one of the Battistas and Church Street .. will have to try to remember where this might be ..
