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John
Fouldes
(Born ? - Died?)
The following is from the notes by James Fouldes (husband of Kathleen Lawson):
"Here is a bit of
a mystery!
His first wife was Mary Fouldes (formerly Birch) and she was mother to James
(my Great Grandfather) and also Martha.
Martha Fouldes was born 23d March, 1843 but by 9th April, 1844 John Fouldes
was a widower and married Martha Birch.
I believe in those days it was illegal to marry one's sister-in-law. So did John break the law or was Martha Birch only a distant relative of John's former wife Mary (Birch)?
Did Mary Fouldes die in childbirth when Martha Fouldes was born? It is significant perhaps that Mary registered the birth of James in 1840 but John registered Martha's birth in 1843.
Whatever the answer, John lost very little time in marrying again.
Note that John was a Wheelwright - James was also to become a Wheelwright as we will see later."
bravenet.com