Thomas & Mary Willis, Mile End Old Town, London...

[maddys52]

Well, John was right about Thomas NORCOTT - there is a newspaper item in 1844 about Thomas coming home from a voyage but his wife has taken up with a french polisher named WILLIS, though Thomas thought at the time his wife would return to him (though others doubted it). Happy to send you copy if you don't have access (it is a bit long to transcribe). 
Thursday,  Aug. 8, 1844
Publication: Morning Post

Also interesting to note Thomas NORCOTT says his wife was his cousin.

[Eyesee]

Found that article and it looks very interesting.

Wonder if he got his furniture back.

Ian C

[Eyesee]

Found some more trees on Ancestry that confirm that Thomas was married to Mary ABURROW first, and Celia MURRELL second. Although there is one tree that has him marrying in 1846 to a Susannah SADLER.

Mary's parents were Thomas ABURROW and Charlotte SINGLETON, and she was from Southwick in Hampshire but was in London by about 1834.

Mary's brother George ABURROW married Hannah NORCOTT a sister of Thomas on the same day and at same church as Thomas' marriage to Mary.

Thomas' parents were William NORCOTT and Mary Ann RIDLEY.

Can't find anything that indicates Thomas and Mary being first cousins, so it must be further back.

Ian C

[JimUK]

Do you have details of Thomas & Mary's son's James c1850 & Henry c1860

John

Hi John – I don't as yet have any details for JW, but Henry W (b1862) was my 3xGG. I have pictures of him somewhere with all his daugthers in East Ham, Essex – if you're interested. My mum still has living memory of him...

[JimUK]

Well, John was right about Thomas NORCOTT - there is a newspaper item in 1844 about Thomas coming home from a voyage but his wife has taken up with a french polisher named WILLIS, though Thomas thought at the time his wife would return to him (though others doubted it). Happy to send you copy if you don't have access (it is a bit long to transcribe). 
Thursday,  Aug. 8, 1844
Publication: Morning Post

Also interesting to note Thomas NORCOTT says his wife was his cousin.

  Wow – thanks Maddys52 – I'd love to see the article. A great bit of detective work!

[JimUK]

Found some more trees on Ancestry that confirm that Thomas was married to Mary ABURROW first, and Celia MURRELL second. Although there is one tree that has him marrying in 1846 to a Susannah SADLER.

Mary's parents were Thomas ABURROW and Charlotte SINGLETON, and she was from Southwick in Hampshire but was in London by about 1834.

Mary's brother George ABURROW married Hannah NORCOTT a sister of Thomas on the same day and at same church as Thomas' marriage to Mary.

Thomas' parents were William NORCOTT and Mary Ann RIDLEY.

Can't find anything that indicates Thomas and Mary being first cousins, so it must be further back.

Ian C

Thanks Ian – I'll investigate that as well!

[maddys52]

  Wow – thanks Maddys52 – I'd love to see the article. A great bit of detective work!

No problem at all - will send you a personal message. 

[JimUK]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who contributed to this thread, and helped me unpick this absolute deadend! Really helpful and a great first experience of Rootschat – really appreciated. I've another absolute mystery on my wife's family tree, but I'll save that for another time – don't want to outstay my welcome just yet! 

[softly softly]

JimUK, really pleased it is all falling into place for you. As you say a great website is Rootschat with hundreds of willing folk looking to help.

As a pointer re James Willis. Look for a marriage 26.10.1869 to a Jane Grubb in St James Bethnal Green.



John