What happened to John ROBERTS

[ColC]

You probably have most of this, which I guess led you to the cohabiting assumption?

Abode Fore St. John a Labourer.
Eliza Roberts   4 Oct 1818   All Saints, Edmonton   Enfield   John,Ann

Abode Fore St. John a Gardener.
Elizabeth Robarts   22 Apr 1821   All Saints, Edmonton   Enfield   John,Ann

Parish Register.
John Roberts    Married    5 Sep 1824   St Andrew, Enfield   Anne Bird
Both widowed of the parish, signed X, witnesses John & Mary Head.

Typed Transcript
John Roberts    Married    5 Sep 1824   St Andrew, Enfield   Ann

Parish Register.
John Bird    Married    14 Nov 1802   All Saints, Edmonton   Ann Head
Both single otp, signed X, witnesses John Head & Joseph Wood

Mary Ann age 38 on 1851 census so born about 1813.

Mary Ann Bird   17 Apr 1814   All Saints, Edmonton   Enfield   John,Ann
Abode Fore St. John a Soldier, below also notes John a Soldier

William Bird Baptism   18 Oct 1812   All Saints, Edmonton, Enfield, Middlesex   John,Ann

No burial in Edmonton for John or William before 1824?

As John Bird was still a soldier in 1814, I wonder if he was still active, Waterloo 1815?

Colin

[Greaves]

Colin - many thanks, but yes I'm afraid that I did have all of that. The problem seems to be getting beyond that set of information.

For instance, if John Roberts was a widower when he married Ann, who had he been married to previously?

Also is the John HEAD mentioned in the marriages, Ann's father or elder brother?

so many unanswered questions!

[ColC]

For instance, if John Roberts was a widower when he married Ann, who had he been married to previously?

Also is the John HEAD mentioned in the marriages, Ann's father or elder brother?

I did look for a former marriage without success.

There are no relationships mentioned on marriage witnesses.

Colin

[amondg]

Since John Bird was a soldier have you considered that he either didn't return from a posting or absconded from the army. His wife not knowing for sure if he was alive or dead, waited the required 7 years before remarrying.

[Greaves]

I have considered that since John BIRD was a soldier he could have been killed in action, after all the Napoleonic wars were looming. And I suppose he could have absconded.

The problem is that I haven't been able to locate him in any military records. Admittedly researching military records is not my area of expertise, perhaps someone with greater knowledge of these records would be more successful.

As for the 7 year rule this had always confused me. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this was not legally recognised, but I may be mistaken.