Find Ancestors

I do think the timing of Rebecca Hodgson being caught out by her husband, and the subsequent divorce, fits in quite well with the birth of John Robert Garratt Mulcaster in 1902.

We can see from the 1911 censuses safc posted that Wilson held onto the children of the marriage, and Rebecca seems to be making a living as a monthly nurse, which were usually short term contracts to live in and help a new mother with her infant(s). Possibily not the securest of occupations, constantly moving from house to house for each job.

We don't know how long the relationship between Rebecca and David Routledge (correspondent in her divorce) lasted, whether he was the father or whether Rebecca formed a liaison with another man. It wasn't always easy for a woman to find her way in life alone after that sort of break up, especially with the stigma of divorce attached (possibly why she is a 'widow' in 1911). Perhaps Rebecca found herself in one or more short-lived relationships following the break up with Wilson, and, birth control not being that readily available at the time, the inevitable happened. She's had 6 children in 10 years with Wilson, so seems to have been reasonably fertile.

Maybe you need a DNA comparison with a descendant of Rebecca and Wilson's children ;-)

I agree you can't be 100% certain, but I think Rebecca does fit the bill really well.

Yes Kucinta I have bitten the bullet and have decided that she is my girl!! The more I went through all the info you all provided the more I was convinced. And to be honest I bet David Routledge is the father of John

Gerry :-D

Well, it was Potty who spotted her in the first place, and several of us then saw the unfortunate marital history all at the same time.

I don't want to feel I've browbeaten you into accepting her :-(

but I do feel that her name is not that common, and with the location, the fact she is a farmer's daughter , and also Potty found Rebecca's sister Hannah had lived in Scotland, so there were potential links with the country. The evidence is not definitive, but I feel that if you put it all together it does stack up quite well.

I did wonder whether David Routledge were the father, or whether that union had run its course and the forename 'Garratt'might have been a hint as to the father's name...

I wishe we could find Rebecca in census 1901, whether as Hodgson, Mulcaster or even passing as Routledge, but I can't spot her as yet.

Rebecca is accused of commiting the adultery with David Routledge at her marital home, The Lowther Arms.

?????

No provable link, and no sign of Rebecca, but I did wonder about this chap because of the relative propinquity, whether his birthplace of Burgh was Burgh by Sands, and the fact that he is a farm servant.

Might he have worked for the Hodgsons, or lodged at their inn, and that's how Rebecca met him?

Pure speculation though.


1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census

Fish Inn, Glasson, Bowness, Wigton, Cumberland, England

Fanny Percival Head Widow Female 49 1852 Farmer Beaumont, Cumberland, England
Rebecca J Percival Daughter Single Female 19 1882 - Burgh, Cumberland, England
Thomas Percival Son - Male 6 1895 - Burgh, Cumberland, England
David Routledge Servant Single Male 48 1853 Farm Servant (General) Burgh, Cumberland, England<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Brilliant
As you say, cannot prove anything but its very tempting!!

Btw you didn't browbeat me. You just helped me see the light!! :-)

could be that rebecca went away to ayr in 1901 census not found in england

Thanks Malyon.

Just checked census for Scotland but no such luck

Gerry:-)

I'm tempted by that name Garratt ......... it's usually an indication of the father's surname, unless the name occurs somewhere in the family.

I wonder if he was baptised, and if there might be a mention of the putative father in the margin of the Parish Register?? Some vicars did that

did any other of her children have more than one name??

Could "Robert Garratt" be the hint?

Hi Sylvia

I am also very interested by Garratt. With that in mind I am going back on the Mulcaster side as it could well be a maiden name somewhere along the line.

I will look for any possible Garratts tomorrow. At the moment I need to get some sleep!!


Gerry :-)