Bigamy in the 1800`s

[DeeG]

I found a possible for my 2x G.Grandfather, John H Rimmington, but he`s listed as having 2 wives, one Elizabeth and the other Emma in the 1861 census.
Was this a normal thing to find in the 1850`s/1860`s ??
Thanks
Dee

[Sandymc47]

Hi Dee
Welcome to Rootschat.  I am afraid we need a little more information than you have given in this first post. Do you know what area of the UK we are talking about and have you any other information as to maybe his wifes surname or any childrens age or name, it would help.
regards
Sandymc   

[DeeG]

Sorry about the lack of info in my first post 
Right, what I have is 1861 census for Wymondham in Leicestershire.
John H Rimmington - Head aged 60 - Pig farmer ??
Elizabeth H  "         - Wife aged  73
Emma  Rimmington - Wife aged 26
Lelia                     - daug. aged  6
Elizabeth              - "         aged 4
John G                 - son     aged 2
Then in the 1871 census, there`s no mention of John H and Elizabeth H and Emma is listed as Head of household,although 2 more children come along, Florence (7) and Lincoln (6). 1881 Emma is listed as widow.
Any ideas
Thanks
Dee

[Mort29]

note the single stroke - '/' - on Elizabeth Rimmington's line. This is the Enumerator dividing the dwelling into Households, so Emma is the Wife of the household with the little 'uns & Elizabeth Brown the SiL. In fact there are 2 schedule numbers shown - 155 and 156

As I doubt that they would advertise a bigamous situation, its more likely that Emma is the wife of John & Elizabeths son ... you will have to dig a bit to find who he was.

In the 1851 census of Wymondham HO107/Piece: 2091 Folio: 745 Page: 40 - John & Elizabeth have a son - George H. born c1827

So this would seem to be the union of Emma and George - note the surname Brown and the SiL's name in 1861

Marriages Sep 1854   
 
ADCOCK  John B    Melton M.  7a 359   
Brown  Emma     Melton Mowbray  7a 359   
Hawley  Maria     Melton M  7a 359   
Rimmington  George Hubbard     Melton Mowbray  7a 359   

[Jeuel]

Hi

There's also a whopping great age discrepancy.

It should perhaps read "son's wife" which would explain why they all have the same surname.

I suppose you need to check the  marriage records.

[DeeG]

Cheers both 
I didn`t think that they would advertise a bigamous marriage, but one thing I do know is not to take anything for granted, even if I don`t know anything else about history research.
Cheers
Dee

[Mort29]

John Hubbard Rimmington died in 1861, Melton Mobray Dist.

No sign of the errant George in any post 1851 census or Death records   

[Sandymc47]

Hi
Think I might have found Elizabeth Rimmingtons death
First quarter of 1862 at Melton Mowbray district.
I noticed John H Rimmingtons death in 1861 2nd quarter
but there is also a Rebecca Rimmington died 3rd quarter of 1861.
Just wondered if she had anythng to do with your family?

regards
Sandymc

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

I think I've found George in 1861 Transcribed as George HUBBARD but the Hubbard has what looks like RIMMINGTON written above it.


1861  RG9/2505  f.68  p.18  Litchurch, Derbyshire
58 Regent Street

George HUBBARD^Rimmington    Lodger    Mar    34    Commercial Traveller    Leicestershire Wymond.. .

Lodging in the hosehold of Ann TOMLINSON




I found this George Rimington of the right age,

George Rimington
Age: 43
Wine Merchant
Great Britain
Ship Name: American Union
Port of Departure: London, England
Arrival Date: 6 Apr 1870
Port of Arrival: New York
(my own transcription from the image)
 

I can't find anymore about this chap so I thought I'd mention it just in case.

Maybe getting one of the children's birth certificates to find George's occupation might help.


Regards,
Daisy