death of Jabez Brittain after 1871 census

[jonwarrn]

OFFENDiNG Publicans.—Yesterday, tha Police Court, Jamee Brittain, Merridale Arm's, Merridale Street, was summoned for keeping his house open during improper hours on Sunday last.—The case was proved by Police-constable ...

Published: Friday 10 March 1871
Newspaper: Birmingham Daily Gazette

It's really unfortunate, the Birmingham Daily Post of 5 April 1871 has
TRANSFERS OF LICENSES.—Yesterday, the following alehouse transfers were declared:—
The Fox Inn, North Street, from Ann Plant to John Bailey; the Merridale Arms, Merridale Street, from James Brittain to William Spittle....

It seems on census night (2 April) William Spittle was already in residence at the Merridale Arms, along with his wife
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5RF-FVT

[heywood]

And in 1871, Jabez Brittain was in Chesterfield.

[jonwarrn]

Hi heywood
Yes he was. He'd been in Chesterfield a while though, hadn't he?

I am hoping that Merridale James Brittain was still around in Wolverhampton in the 1871 census, perhaps doing something different?
There is this one, James Brittain, 31, Iron Merchant, born Stourbridge
Apparently married to Sarah, and visiting the Tylers
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDDX-YGD

He was in Wolverhampton in 1861 as Britton, living with his parents and sisters.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7CT-V4R

It may be a longshot,  but James Brittain born Stourbridge in 1840 may be on the missing persons list. That's a very long list! He is though a perfect match age wise for the Tong death.
Anyway he is not the James Brittain who died in Wolverhampton in March 1881, age 42, the burial record shows that chap was the lock maker who was living there with his family previously
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/685669e38655747a97ee369d

[PatLac]

Age wise this one is a possibility although the place of death seems unlikely, but who knows?

   Name:   Age at Death (in years): 
   BRITAIN, JAMES       28 
GRO Reference: 1872  M Quarter in SHOREDITCH  Volume 01C  Page 133

He was christened 25 April 1842, so depending on the date of death he would still be 28.

[Melton]

PatLac I've just seen the family tree you put on FamilySearch and it appears from Thomas William Britton and Anne Maria Grant's marriage certificate that Jabez Britton was still alive in 1890.  Jabez and Sarah Elizabeth must have divorced after the 1871 census because she married Michael Harrison at the Parish church, Rotherham in 1882 (9c,364).  The 1881 census shows Sarah Elizabeth's status as a widow, but perhaps this was to hide a difficult reality.
I now see that Jabez appears to have attended his son Joseph Barker Britton's wedding in 1893.  This is a merry dance and I'm sorry to have posted a misleading initial enquiry, but I have very much enjoyed, and appreciate all the sterling responses I've received so far.  Thank you all.
I must say I am a bit relieved that he didn't drown in 1873!

[PatLac]

Is Jabez listed as a witness in his son's marriage certificate? I have attached the record but there's no image on FS.

[Melton]

His name is on the certificate but not specifically as a witness

[PatLac]

His name is on the certificate but not specifically as a witness

Unfortunately that doesn't mean he was alive.