Marriage help

[heywood]

I think the 1853 death could be her.

There is an Elizabeth Hyams 70yrs death in 1858.

[Autumn9]

I didn't even realise the GRO gave death ages. I have always looked for births on there and completely missed that. 

So the information I have so far:

1839 - Daughter Hannah baptised. Family at Paradise St, Birmingham. I believe, by newspaper records, they ran a pub called The White Hart. John down as victualler on baptism record also. Hannah's birth date is 9 Jan 1839 according to this record.

1841 census (Bull St, Birmingham) - Elizabeth Higham, 35. Husband John (Clerk) is 34. Children are 12 (John), 5 (Thomas) and 2 (Hannah).

1841 - Daughter Elizabeth born on 19 Dec.

1844 - Son William born (and dies as a baby).

1846 - Daughter Elizabeth dies.

1851 census (Digbeth, Birmingham) - Elizabeth Higham, 47. Her husband John, born in Manchester, (fish salesman) is down as being 44 on this census. It says they are married. Her birth place is Handsacre, Staffordshire. Children are 22 (John born Manchester), 13 (Thomas born Birmingham) and 12 (Hannah born Birmingham).

I can find no record of Elizabeth after this date. All the census records and other documents have just John and his children on, and after 1859, his new wife. Elizabeth must pass away somewhere between 1851 and 1859.

[Milliepede]

Another string to your bow now then with looking up GRO death ages!

John has a lot of different jobs doesn't he, fish salesman, clerk, publican, porter and wasn't he a police  officer on one of the baptisms? 

Can't help feeling something is awry somewhere 

[Milliepede]

Elizabeth Higham is a witness to the marriage of John Richardson Higham - father John a fishmonger
April 11th 1853 so if that was his mother she was still alive then. 

There is such a gap between this son John born Manchester and the others born in Birmingham.

[Milliepede]

Where is John with new wife in 1861?

I can see John fish merchant with daughter Hannah in Wales in 1871 as visitors. 

Wish his 1859 marriage was online to look at. 

[Autumn9]

Another string to your bow now then with looking up GRO death ages!

John has a lot of different jobs doesn't he, fish salesman, clerk, publican, porter and wasn't he a police  officer on one of the baptisms? 

Can't help feeling something is awry somewhere 

I know he ended his career as a fishmonger/curer, and did this for many many years. His son followed him in the profession too I believe. Higham and Son Fishmongers, or something like that anyway. He was quite wealthy from this in the end. That all ties in with family stories and what I’ve found online. He was noted in his probate record as gentleman, and family hearsay is that he was a prominent member of the council. I’ve found records to support this too.

The start of his life seems very odd though. I can’t quite piece it together. I know he went bankrupt in the pub business.

I’ve found a record that says a possible mother for him is Hannah Higham. He was illegitimate. I can’t say whether this is actually him or not though. I wonder if his father was Richardson. 

[Milliepede]

Does this death fit better age wise?

Elizabeth Higham Jun 1857 Birmingham age 53

Ah burial record for her 8 May 1857 has spouse as John Higham. Abode Cheapside.

[Autumn9]

Where is John with new wife in 1861?

I can see John fish merchant with daughter Hannah in Wales in 1871 as visitors. 

Wish his 1859 marriage was online to look at.

He holidayed a lot in Wales apparently. Looks like he took daughter Hannah to Rhyl in 1861. She was an ‘imbecile’ (I hate that terminology!) and was in and out of asylums.

[Autumn9]

Does this death fit better age wise?

Elizabeth Higham Jun 1857 Birmingham age 53

Quite possibly