Divorce record?

[Stewart R]

Good call KGarrad, thanks

Stewart

[Millmoor]

The 1887 marriage has Louisa's maiden name transcribed as Tuckey with father James, a butcher. Again I note that the writing on the original is poor.

I think more likely is the surname Tucker as there is this marriage in Portsea March 20th 1878
 Frederick James Armstrong 25 Licensed Victualler to Louisa Tucker 23 Spinster - Father James Tucker, Butcher.

The 1881 census has the Armstongs at 28 North Street, Portsea. Frederick is a 28 year old publican born Southampton. Louisa is 25, born in Birmingham. They have a 2 year old daughter called Louisa born Portsea.

Death notice for Frederick James Armstrong 14 Jan 1887 " On the 5th instant, at North Street, Portsea, Mr Frederick James Armstrong, aged 34 years".

William

[CaroleW]

The divorce doc refers to Louisa being a widow at the time if the 1887 marriage.  Can't fathom out why Richard was ordered to pay her maintenance when she was the guilty party??  Perhaps I haven't read it all

[KGarrad]

The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 allowed divorce cases to be heard in a civil Court, rather than an ecclesiastical court.

However, the Act did not treat women's and men's grounds for divorce equally (largely on the grounds that women's adultery was more serious because it introduced doubt as to the paternity of possible heirs). Thus a husband could petition for divorce on the sole grounds that his wife had committed adultery, whereas a wife could only hope for a divorce based on adultery combined with other offences such as incest, cruelty, bigamy, desertion, etc. (or based on cruelty alone).

Thus it was easier for a couple to divorce blaming the wife, rather than the husband. Regardless as to who was  actually at fault.

[Stewart R]

Thank you all for your continued interest & information. You've certainly provided me with some food for thought.

Stewart