Duelling newspaper notices.

[Stanwix England]

I've been digging around in the historic newspapers for something else and as usual got sidelined. Found this interesting.

York Herald - Saturday 14 March 1863 (page 7 of 12)

I, William Robert Brown, Architect, will not be answerable for any Debts that my Wife, Mary Ann Brown, may contract after this date.
1, Stonegate, York, March 13, 1863

Then the next notice reads

Notice is hereby given that I, Mary Anne Brown, will not be answerable for any Debt or Debts, my Husband, William Robert Brown, Architect, of No 1 Stonegate and 8 South Parade, may contract after this date, as I have never received a Sixpence from him since we were married.
York, March 13, 1863

Wonder if it was real? Or was it some sort of joke in the paper?

[BumbleB]

I am female, so please make allowances for this response 

Brilliant that Mary Ann has responded so well.  AND I wonder if she divorced him - I hope so?

[GrahamSimons]

Well that's interesting as Mary Ann had no ability to contract debt as this was before the Married Women's Property Act. All her possessions became his on marriage when she became feme covert.
There's a story hidden here waiting to come out.......

[BumbleB]

Interesting to see that there is a marriage - March quarter 1862 - York - where William Robert Brown and Mary Ann Bramley appear on the same page 

26 June 1862 - St Mary Bishophill the Elder - married by Licence

William Robert Brown, 25 bachelor, Architect - Father - Robert, Gentleman
Mary Ann Bramley, 19 spinster - Father - John, Painter

[BumbleB]

AARGHHHHHHHHHHHH  Can't see a Marriage licence application - FindMyPast only have to 1839 

[Stanwix England]

His wife doesn't seem to be living with him by 1871.

It's just him, his step-mother Elizabeth Brown and a servant.

I know it's only a snapshot of one night, but given the circumstances!

Registration district   York
Sub-registration district   Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel   31
Household schedule number   2
Piece   4749
Folio   5
Page number   1

[Stanwix England]

I've managed to find out a little bit more.

I couldn't trace Mary Ann on any census, which is frustrating.

I did however find a death notice for her in the paper. She died on the 5th September, 1896 at New Walk Terrace in York. The notice describes her as 'Wife of William Robert Brown, Aged 54'.

The corresponding probate record says that she left £3285 and 6d to her husband William Robert Brown, gentleman.

I've not found much more for William Robert Brown either, apart from the 1871 census that I listed above.

There is a death date for a William Robert Brown for the first quarter of 1897 in York, but nothing else I can see, no probate record etc that gives me confidence it's the same man.

I've also found a notice in the paper in the Eastern Morning News for Friday 23rd April 1897, which is part of a column of people looking for lost relatives. The notice is looking for the heirs or relations of William Robert Brown, who they say is the son of Robert and Mary Brown of York.

However, I believe this William Robert Brown was the son of a Robert and Elizabeth - so that wouldn't entirely match up.

So that's as far as I've managed to get into this story.