Can anyone help with a fresh pair of eyes please?
Peter Riley, Chelsea army pensioner is on the 1851 census in Victoria Yard, Turks Row, Chelsea (sorry can't provide a ref). He's missing in the 1861 census. He dies in February 1870 at 15 Caroline Street, Pimlico. Also in February 1870 a Catherine Edwards registers a birth and gives 15 Caroline Street, Pimlico as her address.
Catherine's mother is Eliza Edwards. In 1871 the pair are living at nearby 32 Westbourne Street with Eliza's son, William, and Catherine's baby and all four are called Riley and Eliza is a widow. When William marries he declares Peter Riley is his father and when Eliza's death is registered she is declared Peter Riley's widow.
Eliza isn't in London before 1853. The 1861 census for Pimlico is missing and I haven't found Eliza Edwards or Peter Riley anywhere else. I'd like to find a marriage if it exists but my feeling is that it doesn't. Peter Riley left the army as a pensioner in 1850 (a Dubliner aged 39 and single). I don't know if a post-retirement marriage would have been recorded on his army record?
I've got no evidence Peter Riley and Eliza Edwards were a couple or that William was his son other than what Eliza and William said after Peter's death. I have Peter Riley's service record and that doesn't mention a wife or children. I can't see how it benefits Eliza to continue using his name unless it is official and she can claim his army pension. Although called Riley in 1871, Catherine and baby return to Edwards as per their birth certs soon after.
Any ideas or help would be gratefully received. Thank you.
