I’m sure I’m not the only one who is often entertained by unusual BMD notices. One example of marriage notices which intrigue me are those advertising 3rd, 4th or even 5th marriages.
Unfortunately, in the days when divorce was virtually unheard of, these multiple marriages are only a symptom of the high mortality rates, particularly among the labouring classes.
These three examples are from the Belfast Newsletter – in the first, James Bryans celebrated his 3rd marriage whilst still in his teens!
On 22nd April, in Sallaghy Church, by the Rev. W. Bredin, Mr. J. Bryans, of Killard, to Mrs. H. Murray, of Derrylee. The gallant bridegroom was only in his 19th year, and it was his third time presenting himself at the alter of Hymen. [2nd May 1848]
I think if I were Hannah Murray (née Fricklelow) I’d feel the signs were potentially inauspicious. At least this pair were as unlucky as each other:
On Monday last, John Bennitt, of Seaton, aged 78 years, to Sarah Miller, of Workington, aged 63. This is only the fourth time that each has entered the connubial state. [3rd September 1816]
This notice, also from the Belfast Newsletter, is interesting not just because of the number of wives this man had, but also because of the unique record it provides of marriages going back to the 1750s, though the accuracy must be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.
On the 18th ult. at Walton Church, William Meadows, of Meadows-street, aged 75, to Mary Lowe, of Preston-street, aged 57, being his sixth wife. His first wife was Esther Dawson, spinster, with whom he lived two years, and was one year a widower; his second, Peggy Robinson, spinster; with whom he lived 20 years, and had nine children, and was one month a widower; his third, Betty Douglas, with whom he lived two years, and was seven weeks a widower; his fourth, Betty Norcot, with whom he lived 18 years, and was a widower about nine months; his fifth, Mary Plant, with whom he lived eight years, and was six weeks a widower; and now Mary Lowe, as above stated. [24th July 1807]
The announcement was presumably first posted in the local newspapers in Liverpool before being picked up by others around the country. By November 1807 it had made it to the Adams Sentinel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania!