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The petition for divorce was filed on 1st May 1890 and dismissed on 16th June same year. Petitioner was our gal on grounds of adultery.

So Greyghost's hunch was correct - as usual!

And I think that the muddle with the 'Stewart' is indeed a mistaken interpretation that she might have had a double-barrelled surname.

Well done to all and many thanks.

Re the divorce petition -

the image on Ancestry says "Petition filed 1 May 1890. Dismissed 16 June 1890".

It was dismissed "upon hearing the solicitor for the petitioner."

No reason given for dismissal - presumably Maud changed her mind.


On 2 December 1889 it was ordered that the petitioner (Maud) be appointed Guardian of Dorothy during her minority.

Between 1884 and 1890, William committed adultery with several women on various occasions.

William left Maud in Feb 1888, and he had then lived separately from her and "deserted her without reasonable excuse for 2 years and upwards."

EDIT:
Oh, Nicola has already posted this while I was typing.

William's occupation is surveyor at 1881 census, and auctioneer at marriage.

In the divorce petition, one of the addresses at which Maud & William had lived during their marriage was 12 Hyde Park Mansions.


William's still living there in 1904:

William Daniel Harding
in the London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965
Name: William Daniel Harding
Year: 1904
County or Borough: City of London
Ward or Division/Constituency: London
Street address: 12 Hyde park mansions


However, he doesn't seem to be there in 1911.


In 1904, the page of names and addresses is headed "Spectacle makers" ????
Also in other years, including 1901, though I can't see him on the 1901 census.

He's also listed as a spectacle maker in 1905, though no address given:


William Daniel Harding
in the London, England, City Directories, 1736-1943
Name: William Daniel Harding
Residence Date: 1905
Residence Place: London, England
Occupation: Spectacle Makers



I wonder if this is him ? Resigned December 1890 - "Defaulter".

William Daniel Harding
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name: William Daniel Harding
Gender: Male
Initiation Date: 1885
Year Range: 1887-1909
Lodge: Empire Lodge
Lodge Number: 2108
Folio Number: 189

From a Google search:

Empire No.2108
Freemasons' Hall
60 Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5AZ
Founded 1885