Edith Handyside M. Alexander Turnbull Davis 1911

[JackB015725]

Trying to find information about Edith Handyside, born August 20th 1885 in Hebburn, daughter of William Robertson Handyside and Mary Ann Graham, who married Alexander Turnbull Davis (1877-1941), on September 14th 1911.

I am unable to find if she had any children, and when and where she died. I know she was still alive in 1950, and resided in London, but that's all I know about her.

Thank you

Additionally, she is sometimes credited as "Ellen."

[AllanUK]

Searching the civil birth registrations for a 'Davis' with the mother's maiden name of 'Handyside' born 1911 to 1921 only brings up one ....

Joan H Davis
Birth registered Quarter 3, 1918, Islington District, Volume 1B, Page 210

[AllanUK]

The 1921 Census records the following ....

Residence --- 516 Holloway Road, Islington

Alexander Davis, Head of household, 47 years of age, born Belfast, Occupation Jeweller
Edith Davis, Wife, 34 years of age, born Hebburn
Joan Davis, Daughter, 3 years of age, born London

[AlanBoyd]

12 October 1911 Newspaper: Londonderry Sentinel

A TYNESIDE BIGAMY CHARGE.
ADJOURNED FOR IRISH EVIDENCE.
Alexander Turnbull Davis (thirty-four) was on Tuesday charged on a warrant at Newcastle-on-Tyne with having bigamously married Edith Handyside on September 14th last, his first wife, Mary Elizabeth, to whom prisoner was married on January 10th, 1890 1899, being still alive. Prisoner was remanded in custody for eight days to enable the police to complete the case, it being stated that it would be necessary to bring witnesses from Ireland. Sergeant Lennon said he received prisoner into custody from the London police. Prisoner's reply to the warrant was, " I have nothing to say just now." Charged at Newcastle, prisoner said " I was unable to live with her; my health was bad, and I could not put up with her. I have not seen her for seven years. I am sorry for Miss Handyside." Witness had received from the London police two boat tickets for Australia, and £55 in notes, the prisoner's property.

[Kloumann]

There were 3 possible female births in Islington to the couple. 1918, 1922 & 1929

[AllanUK]

The 1939 National Register shows ....

Residence-- 516 Holloway Road, Upper Holloway, Islington

Turnbull A Davis, DoB 16/7/1874, Occupation Jeweller
Edith Davis, DoB 20/8/1885
Joan Handyside Davis, DoB 29/5/1918, Occupation Shorthand Typist (later married a man called Varley)
Vera Handyside Davis, DoB 26/6/1922, Occupation Stationary Office Clerk, (later married a man called Holt)

[softly softly]

Varley
Joan Handyside
1918
1996
1996
England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007
Brent, Middlesex, England

Holt
Vera Handyside
1922
1992
1992
England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007
Barnet, Middlesex, England

SS

[AllanUK]

'Alexander Turnbull Davis of 516 Holloway Road, Holloway, London, died 13 February 1941. Administration (with Will) to Edith Handyside Davis widow' Effects £369 14 shillings

(from the National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administration)

[AlanBoyd]

More details about the bigamy case in this version:

21 October 1911: Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner

BIGAMY CHARGE.
Belfastman in Trouble: Young Woman's Story.
A man named Alex. Turnbull Davis, aged 34, a jeweller, was charged. at Newcastle-on-Tyne Police Court on Tuesday morning with having bigamously, married Edith Handyside, on September 14 last, his previous wife, Mary Elizabeth, to whom he was married on January 10, 1899, being then alive.

A witness from Belfast deposed to having been present at the first marriage in a Presbyterian Church in Belfast, on 10th January, 1899, and he also identified letters in the handwriting of the accused sent to Belfast, and added that, accompanying these communications were letters to be forwarded to accused's first wife. The latter letters were dated from March, 1906 doen to June last, and were forwarded to the party for whom they were intended. Witness also stated that accused was in Belfast a month ago.

Sally Pearson, residing at Hexham, said she had known accused for four or five years. She was present at his marriage to Miss Handyside on 14th September. In the marriage certificate defendant was described as a bachelor and manager. Miss Handyside and accused lived together as man and wife at Clayton Park Square until September 23, when they went away together to London for a holiday.

Edith Handyside, a prepossessing young lady, the daughter of Wm. Robertsor Handyside, of Brandling Terrace, Felling near Newcastle, said she became acquainted with accused in November, 1910, being introduced to him by a gentleman friend. He had frequently visited her, and although he had never actually said he was a bachelor, witness had been led to believe that he was. He proposed to her in August last, and with her father's consent a marriage was arranged, and they also made arrangements to go to Australia. Accused had sent money regularly to his mother in Belfast whilst witness had been with him. He was arrested the day the boat was to sail to Australia.

Questioned by Mr. Wilson, witness said defendant had treated her well. Prisoner was further remanded.