Mystery of the Disappearing spouses

[ciderdrinker]

Hello everyone
I have a Jane Keatley born 1851 in Sutton Coldfield d of John and Jane.
In 1868 she married an Adam Clifton at St Peter's Walsall Wood.
Adam was from Whitwick Leicestershire born c 1845. son of a Henry Howe and Hannah Clifton.
His father is called Clifton on his marriage cert.
Jane then appears in Aldridge where her Keatley family are living as a servant Jane Keatley born 1850 on the 1871 census.
Adam is nowhere to be seen until 1881 when he marries Eliza Gent nee Taylor widow at Bloxwich All Saints under the name of Clift.
Eliza had married John Gent at Rushall in 1868 ,they were together in 1871 with son Arthur.John was a miner born 1840/1845/1848 Bloxwich. He is never seen again.
From 1881 Adam Clifton and Eliza are together in Basford ,have nine children and are easy to find.

So what happened to Jane Keatley and John Gent?
Adam and Eliza seem to have their first child in 1875 Mary A/Amy depending on census or birth reg born Walsall/West Bromwich.
The last Gent child David is 1872.

Any ideas would be welcome
Thanks

Ciderdrinker

[Gadget]

Not sure if I've understood all this but:

Adam  is recorded as a widower in the 1881 marriage.

Do you have a record of Jane after this date as there is a possible death:

Jane Clifton, b.c 1846 d. 1877, West Bromwich


Gadget

[Gadget]

A bit out but death of a John Gent, Walsall, 1872, b.c. 1850


Gadget

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
thank you Gadget
No record of Jane after 1871 ,not sure about that one but the John Gent does look good.
As it happens I've since  had a quick look at the newspapers and John is convicted of beating Eliza in 1870 so perhaps she was better of.
I'll go with a death in 1872 for John.
Cheers for that

Ciderdrinker

[avm228]

The birth of Mary Ann Clifton mmn “Gent” was registered Walsall Dec qtr 1876 6b 719.

[Gadget]

I've had another look for Jane but only that one is showing in the time frame. Could she have moved in with someone else and used his surname?

There is a Sarah Jane Clift death in 1871, West Brom but she was b.c. 1870.

[ciderdrinker]

Doing Well!
Sorry I've been away for a few days but you're going great guns on this.
I think you are right.
She must have moved in with someone else.
It's a pity that the new GRO site doesn't allow a search with maiden name but not surname.
I did find another newspaper account of both John Gent and Adam Clifton abandoning their families in 1870.
They were in court on the same day at the same place.
So perhaps that is where Eliza Gent and Adam Clifton met .
Weird place to fall in love isn't it?

Thanks for everything

Ciderdrinker