Mary Westbrook born 4 Jun 1850 Lewisham

[Cockneyrebel]

The above married Alfred Slade 23 Jan 1870 at Tunbridge Wells, had a son Alfred C born c 1870 and then a son, William John Monckton  born 27 Sep 1878 mmn not recorded, then a daughter Bessie Laura Monckton Slade 21 Sep 1880, father Alfred Slade at 11 Dukes Road, Tunbridge Wells.
Mary appears to have cohabited with William Valentine Monckton and both were at the 1881 census living at  21 Dukes Road. Mary continued living with William thereafter and had 6 children with him. According to the 1911 Census, Mary said she'd been married 32 years and had 9 children, 8 living.
I can find no marriage for Mary to William or a divorce from Alfred?
Cr

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
This is delicate but I can't realistically see a couple of their financial means getting a divorce.It would be just too expensive and difficult.
So unless Alfred Slade had died legally Mary couldn't remarry.
And it looks like Alfred was alive and well and living in Manchester.
The 1871 census and marriage say he is 21 a baker born in Lambeth .Father William a labourer.
In 1881 census we have 36 Craig St Manchester
Alfred Slade 31 baker Lambeth Surrey
Sarah Ann 31 dressmaker Willenhall Staffs
Ernest Jackson 9 stepson Ardwick Lancs
Minnie Jackson 7 Ardwick

They had married at Bradford Christ Church Manchester  13 June 1878
Alfred 29 bach baker 5 Haughton road father James labourer
Sarah Ann Jackson 28 widow father John Smith blacksmith

He dies 4 Dec 1888 and leaves £75 in his Admin to widow Sarah Ann.


If it is him they must have split mid 1870's .Mary is obviously with William Monckton from 1878.
Alfred was the illegitimate son of Ann Slade who married James Philpot 12 Oct 1856 at Lambeth.He was a painter but Alfred's biological father may well have been William a labourer.

Ciderdrinker

[Cockneyrebel]

ciderdrinker, excellent research which to me seems to make sense. Maybe Mary 'had' to marry Alfred and then found William to be better. I guess Alfred married bigamously then whereas Mary just lived with William as a common law wife?
Cr

[ciderdrinker]

It does look like that.
But Sarah Jackson obviously knew something.
In 1891 she is at no 36 as Sarah Slade but by 1911 she is at 40 Craig St as Mrs smith ,her maiden name.
It looks like Alfred took his chances.Manchester is a long way from Tunbridge Wells and who was likely to find out?
The same is not true for Mary staying in the same area.The neighbours are bound to ask a few awkward questions.

Ciderdrinker

[Cockneyrebel]

Yes makes sense ciderdrinker.
Cr