James Wild b. 1 Mar 1827 vanishes between 1851-1870

[Mygenes2006]

Hi, have posted a request for help with this a few years ago but thought I would give it another go as we didn't have much success although we did find him in 1871.  I am trying to locate any information on my great great grandfather James Wild.  Here is what I have so far.

Born 1 Mar 1827 St Pancras, son of Thomas Wild and Sarah Chappell Wild nee Wilson
Christened 10 Jun 1827 St Pancras Old Church
1841 - residing with his family Edward Street, Regents Park, St Pancras
1871 - residing as James Wilson at 40 Harmood Street, Kentish Town with his wife Mary born Totnes Devon and their children , Angela, Mary, Helen (Ellen)
23 Dec 1879 dies aged 52
29 Jan 1880 probate date

As you can see he vanishes between 1842 and 1871.  When he reappears in 1871 he is with Mary, however in 1881 she lists herself as Mary Ash which was her maiden name and we have never found any record of their marriage so we don't believe they got married.  I can't find any record of her death but have found her in 1891, 1901 but not 1881.

Can't find a death record for their daughter Angela. 

We wonder if he was previously married, we can't find a divorce anywhere for him.  His will states -

This is the Last Will and Testament of me, James Wild, of No9 Maldon Road, Kentish Town in the County of Middlesex, Builder, I give devise and bequeath all my estate and effects of whatsoever mature or kind, the same may consist unto and to the use of Mary Ash now residing with me and all my dear natural children by her living at the time of my decease or born in due time afterwards to be equally divided between them share and share alike, and I appoint my friend Robert Stephens of Paddington Green, Middlesex, Wheel and Barrower and Manufacturer, sole Executor of this my Will in witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament hereunto set my hands and his fourteenth this day of March one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.  James Wild signed and acknowledged by the said James Wild as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence of us who at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witness Thos Bishop, 80 Coleman Street, London, E6 .Managing Clerk, A.E Bishop 22 Jeffeys Street, Camden town, NW

As you can see he refers to Mary as Mary Ash.  Thomas Bishop is his brother in law.  James's father died in 1852 and left the following properties to the family, all were leasehold -

ll those my leasehold messuges(might be mistranscribed) or tenements and premises Nos 6 7 15 and 16 Edward Street Regents Park aforesaid Nos 3 and 4 Little Edward Street Regents Park aforesaid Nos 2 and 3 Priory Street Camden Town in the said County of Middlesex and No 30 Claremont Terrace Kentish Town

The properties were to be divided between the family or sold and the money split but when James died he didn't leave any property and not a huge amount of money so have no idea what happened to the properties.  He left a personal estate of under £1500 which I know was a reasonable amount in those days but not as much as I would have expected given the amount of property etc.

So in summary if anyone can find James between 1842 and 1870 that would be great! Also any record of a marriage between him and anyone else.  I did find one marriage, can't remember who to now but did rule it out for some reason not that that helps anyone.  He was a builder by trade.

Also a death for Mary and one for Angelina as well.  thanks in advance for any assistance given. MyGenes

[louisa maud]

Have you got birth certificates for these children, under what surname were they registered, how strange he uses the name Wilson

Also was Angela Angelina or Angela?

Louisa Maud

[jennifer c]

There is a birth registered for an Angelina Wild 1862 Marylebone?

Jennifer

[louisa maud]

Jennifer, I did find Angela  after but can't find the other 2, no baptisms as far as I can see but I stand to be corrected

Realise why the name of Wison was used, John Wild's mother was nee Wilson

Louisa Maud

[Mygenes2006]

Hi, I have birth certificates for two of the children, Edith and James their surname is Wild.  Their mother has stated her name is Mary Wild formerly Ash. As you noticed James's mother was called Wilson so we think this is why he chose to use that name but we do wonder why he felt the need to use it!  What was he hiding.  Whilst looking at the baptisms just now I noticed that on James's death certificate Mary has stated that her name is Mary Ash. It is all very intriguing.  Thanks for taking the time to look.  Angela totally disappears after her birth. 

James their son was born on the 17 Sept 1871
Edith born 17 Feb 1873 address at time of both births is 40 Harmood Street, St Pancras
Minnie Elizabeth Wild b. 1875 Chalk Farm

[louisa maud]

Have you seen 1891 census living Francis Ter Islington, family of Collins in wIth Mary Wild and  her children, inc Minnie born Chalk farm
RG12/14 FOLIO 150 PAGE 50

LM

[Mygenes2006]

Hi yes I have her in 1891, 1901 but haven't yet found in her in 1911 and can't find a death for her either. 

[Mygenes2006]

Have just found a Mary A Wild who dies in Hackney in 1912 who was born in 1838.  Never heard of mine being called Mary A before and can't find her in 1911 so not going to connect her to this record just yet.  There is another for Mary Ann Wild b. 1838 d. Greenwich March 1909, again another possibility but again with a middle name.  A third option is a Mary Ann Ash dies in Kensington in 1902 but 1838.  Will have to see if I can find a possible birth for her to see if she had the middle name Ann. Ok had a quick look but can only find a Mary Jane Ash born in Totnes. I shall keep on looking! 

[AMBLY]

James' will  makes it pretty much crystle clear that he was not married to the woman who lived with him and bore his children, ie Mary Ash. Had they been married, he would surely have referred to her as his wife. By referring to their children as  "natural children" he means born outside of the bonds of marriage, ie: illigitimate.

".....my estate and effects of whatsoever mature or kind, the same may consist unto and to the use of Mary Ash now residing with me and all my dear natural children by her living at the time of my decease..."

Divorce was very rare, very expensive & very difficult right up to the  1920's even for for the 'upper classes' and pretty much unheard of in the working classes;  given this, and given that we're talking the 1860-1870's it is  extremely unlikely  that James divorced any first wife

Cheers
AMBLY