Edith Handyside M. Alexander Turnbull Davis 1911

[AllanUK]

Edith died in 1974, registered as Edith Handyside Davis, Registered Quarter 2, 1974, Islington District, Volume 13, Page 1480

[softly softly]

Alexander's 1st marriage.

SS
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1899/10368/5774698.pdf

[AllanUK]

'Belfast Newsletter, 1/11/1911'

'Yesterday at Newcastle on Tyne assizes, Alexander Turnbull Davis (34) a Belfast man, was sentenced to two months imprisonment for bigamy'

[AllanUK]

From the National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administration) ...

Davis, Edith Handyside of 95 Camden Road London NW1 died 28 March 1974. Administration London 12 June. Effects £2508

[AlanBoyd]

The sentencing:

1 November 1911: Belfast News-Letter

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE BIGAMY CASE.
A Belfastman Sentenced.
At Newcastle-on-Tyne assizes yesterday, before Mr. Justice Horridge, Alexr. Turnbull Davis (34), described as a jeweller, was indicted on the charge of bigamously marrying Edith Handyside, at Newcastle, on 14th September, his wife, to whom he was married in Belfast in 1899, being, to his knowledge, alive.

Defendant now pleaded guilty, and counsel for the prosecution said prisoner had been separated from his first wife a long time. He had deceived the second woman by not telling her that he was married.

His Lordship questioned Miss Handyside, who said prisoner never mentioned that he had been previously married. She lived with him about a month after their marriage.

Counsel for the accused addressed the Court on his behalf, and said defendant was married in 1899 at Belfast at the age of 22. Unfortunately that marriage was an extremely unhappy one, though whose fault that was need not, now be discussed. Prisoner's story was that owing to the jealousy of his first wife he was unable to live with her, and after residing with her some eighteen months, in 1900 he was obliged to go and live with his mother. The wife, he alleged, followed him about and molested him at his work, and at last made it impossible for prisoner to remain there, and a few months later he went to England. Prisoner had been regularly employed as a jeweller's assistant, and had held responsible situations in various parts of the country. From 1900 until 1906 he frequently sent money to his wife, who had remained in Ireland, but he did not interfere with her, or hear from her, and he had not seen her since he was in Ireland, some eight years ago, attending his father's funeral. Since 1896 [sic] prisoner seemed to have purposely abstained from making any inquiries regarding his wife, though he had been in communication with his mother, to whom he had sent 10s to 20s weekly. He went to Newcastle in 1907 and obtained a position of trust with a well-known firm of jewellers in the city. In late years prisoner's health had broken down, and five medical men had advised him to seek a warmer climate—Australia being suggested. He had met Miss Handyside, and they conceived a genuine affection for each other, and, intending to start a new life in Australia, he foolishly thought he might start that new life free from any obligations on account of his early marriage in Ireland.

His Lordship, in passing, sentence, said he could not hide from himself the fact that the prisoner had deceived a very respectable woman. He took into account the fact that prisoner seemed to have been unhappy with his first wife, and that he had treated Miss Handyside well while he was with her; but he could not pass a lighter sentence than two months' imprisonment with hard labour. Of course, if the prisoner's health was such that he could not do hard labour he would be attended to in prison. Counsel for the prosecution said that when arrested prisoner had £55 and two boat tickets for Australia worth £20. He asked that some of that money be applied towards the court costs.

His Lordship declined to make such an order.

[softly softly]

Alexander's birth.

SS

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1874/03140/2151626.pdf

[AlanBoyd]

The Belfast Newsletter January 13th 1899

MARRIAGES
DAVIS-M'DOWELL—January 10, at the Crescent Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. John M'Ilveen, B. A., Alex. Turnbull, youngest son of Robert Davis, to Mary E. (Minnie), fourth daughter of Alexander M'Dowell, both of Belfast.

[River Tyne Lass]

https://one-name.org/marriage-locator/

Marriage Locator indicates the venue for Alexander & Edith's 1911 marriage was St Hilda, Jesmond:

Sept quarter 1911 Vol 10b page 137

[JackB015725]

Absolutely astounding.

I cannot believe this at all. I had no idea about the bigamy charges towards Alexander Turnbull Davis. My father, had went to meet Edith in the late part of the 1960s, yet he recalls that she never mentioned anything about her husband, or their plan to go to Australia. This has really shocked me.

Thank you