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(Thankyou for Probate Flip, wrong one then!)

LOCAL BIGAMY CASE.

Publication:Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette

Publication date:Tuesday 19 June 1894

Article text:"Sessions yesterday Gus. Lawrance, labourer, Sunderland, was charged With feloniously marrying one Marion Elizabeth Baldwin on the 9th January, his wife, Laura, then being alive. Catherine Susannah Kerr, wife of Henry Kerr, butcher, 17, Wiiliam.street, Suuderiand"

(something above newspapers, if anyone has a minute, I'm 'sausage rolling' in a minute, lol)

Chris :)

To summarise that newspaper article - one Gus Lawrence had married Laura Kerr, the daughter of Henry Kerr (butcher) and Catherine Susannah Kerr of 17 William Street, Sunderland.

Gus and Laura married 20 Feb 1883 at the Registry Office, Sunderland and had 6 children, all living.

Marion Elizabeth Baldwin had met Gus Lawrence in 1893 in New Delaval and they became engaged. They "married" in January 1894 in Earsdon. They lived with Marion's mother until April 1894 when he told her he was married with a wife and family still alive. She brought charges.

He said he'd told her all along he was married, she said he hadn't, he said he had (much he said, she saids) but admitted bigamy.

(Thankyou for that MC)


Marriages Mar 1883 (>99%)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerr Laura Sunderland 10a 838
LAWRENCE George William Sunderland 10a 838

Chris :)

1891
KERR, Catherine S Wife Married F 47 1844
Kings Lynn, Norfolk
KERR, John Son Single M 20 1871 Sawyer
Sunderland, County Durham
KERR, Frank Son Single M 17 1874 General Dealer
Sunderland, County Durham
KERR, Ellison Son M 6 1885
Sunderland, County Durham
Piece: 4139
Folio: 67
Page: 13
Registration District: Sunderland
Civil Parish: Bishop Wearmouth
Municipal Borough: Sunderland
Address: 20, Sussex Street, Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland
County: Durham

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
Publication date:Tuesday 01 September 1891

Mrs Catherine Kerr, of 20, Sussex-street, desires to thank the doctors, sisters and nurses of the Sunderland Infirmary for their careful treatment and great attention to her while she was in No. 5 ward of that institution, also her son Robert Henry Kerr who was in No.14 ward.

I don't think the 1901 census posted earlier in the thread is right, I think this is Catherine:

Catherine Kerr
Age: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1845
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England
Civil Parish: Sunderland
County/Island: Durham
Country: England
Street Address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Catherine Kerr 56
Frank Kerr 27
E W S Kerr 16

So no Henry on either 1891or 1901, on this census she is a charwoman but still stating married. So wonder where Henry disappeared to?

ADDED - although looking at both 1901 census images I wonder if she has been recorded twice??

It's curious Flip, the birthplaces and ages on the 1901 seem to fit but Henry' occupation is completely different. Just posting different version to show all info:

KERR, Henry Head Married M 70 1831 Paper Merchant London
KERR, Catharine Wife Married F 59 1842 Lynn, Norfolk

Piece: 4719 Folio: 55 Page: 23
Registration District: Sunderland
Civil Parish: Sunderland

Address: 28, New Grey Street, Sunderland County: Durham

I think it's too much of a coincidence, she must have been recorded twice.

I agree Marie - but wonder, because apart from the 1904 death I can't find a death for Henry prior to 1911 where she is recorded as a widow.

Very strange, for her to be a charwoman as well, it just doesn't add up.

This could be another complete red herring but am posting it as the age and occupation fits:

Crime, Prisons & Punishment

First name: Henry
Last name: Kerr
Age: 52
Year of birth: 1832
Occupation: Butcher

Date the court session started: 25 Feb 1884
Victims: William Pullin , Charles Hewson , Marie Hocquert
Record source: Central Criminal Court: After Trial Calendars of Prisoners
The National Archives reference: CRIM9/30

He was charged along with a George Robert Short, George Sumby and George Edmundson of stealing a silver pocket watch and other items with intent to defraud. All sentenced to 18 months in Cold Bath Fields prison.
Doesn't say where the offence or trial took place but seems to be in the London/Middlesex/Surrey area.

Yes! I'm pretty sure it is him per this newspaper article:

Headline: AN ALLEGED "LONG FIRM" SWINDLE.

Publication:Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette

Publication date:Tuesday 22 January 1884

Article text:
AN ALLEGED "LONG FIRM" SWINDLE. SUNDERLAND MAN TROUBLE. Yesterday, at Marlborough Street Police Court, London, Henry Kerr (52), who had given the address of Cross Place, Covent Garden, Sunderland, and who was said to have several aliases was brought before ......

The article states that he and his confederates had committed a number of frauds via newspaper adverts. He'd been arrested in Durham and brought to London.


Would be interesting to try and find his aliases.

ADDED: The Covent Garden area of Sunderland was where their address of Coronation Street on the 1881 census would be.

ANOTHER ADD: There were several brief reports of the crime. It appears all of the defendants were from the Sunderland area. They variously described themselves as "merchants" although it was reported that they had no means and were living in very poor conditions.

Good find Marie, it certainly looks like him! Maybe they weren't really together in 1891/1901 - may explain her having to work as a charwoman.

Sounds like they might have had an on-off relationship. He is mentioned in the 1893 article about the daughter Laura's bigamous husband. Quite likely on the 1901 he named his wife although she was elsewhere.

Very frustrating that the newspapers mention he had aliases but don't say what they were - could answer a few questions.

Looks like another conviction - was given 4 months for simple larceny:

Henry Kerrs
Date of Trial: 20 Feb 1877
Trial Year: 1877
Location of Trial: Durham, England
Sentence: Imprisonment
Crime: See Image
Date of Execution or Release: See Image

And, I wonder about this?


Henry Ker
Date of Trial: 22 Oct 1888
Trial Year: 1888
Location of Trial: Middlesex, England
Sentence: Acquittal
Crime: See Image
Date of Execution or Release: See Imag

Charge was embezzlement. ADDED - I don't think this is the same Henry, there was a report in the Post early October 1888, and he was 31.

Gracious folks, Henry is looking very interesting!...

(wonder if John has any other info. of things)

Chris :)