A Life of Reinvention – Albert Milsted’s Third Marriage

A Quick Turnaround: From Loss to New Beginnings

On 17 February 1857, Albert Milsted married Mary Murch in Exeter, just a month after the death of his first wife, Mary Ann Worthington. This swift remarriage raises several questions. Was Albert already acquainted with Mary Murch? Was this a marriage of convenience or one born of affection? The Victorian era saw many widowed men remarry quickly, but such an immediate transition hints at a story more complex than mere necessity.

Meanwhile, his second wife (or partner) Margaret Dawkin and their daughter, Alice, seemed to have disappeared from his life. There is no evidence of a formal marriage between Albert and Margaret, which suggests that Alice may have been born out of wedlock. Additionally, since Albert was still legally married to Mary Ann, it would have been impossible for him to have legally married Margaret.

Victorian Views on Marriage and Morality

In the Victorian era, marriage was as much about social stability and economic security as it was about love. A man in Albert’s position, navigating bankruptcy and a tarnished reputation, may have seen marriage as a means of securing a new identity. A respectable wife would provide him with the appearance of stability, something crucial in an age when reputation dictated social and professional prospects.

Widowed men often remarried swiftly, particularly if they had children who needed care. However, in Albert’s case, there were no young children requiring a mother’s attention, making the urgency of his third marriage more intriguing. Was Mary Murch a woman of means who could provide Albert with financial security, or was she simply the first available option in his effort to start anew?

The Significance of Exeter in the 1850s

The choice of Exeter for his marriage is also worth examining. Exeter, a historic city in Devon, was a thriving commercial hub during the Victorian era. With its cathedral, bustling markets, and strong mercantile presence, it was a place of opportunity. A man seeking a fresh start might well have found Exeter an attractive location to reinvent himself.

The city’s economic boom in the 19th century was partly due to the wool and cloth trade, alongside its emerging industrial scene. As the railway expanded, connecting Exeter more closely with London and the Midlands, the city became increasingly significant for businessmen and traders.

Did Albert see this as his opportunity to escape his past? The timing and location suggest a calculated move rather than a mere coincidence.