Ancestry Webb, Walsh, Hill, Warwick

Web site created by David Webb with support from my sisters Anne, Geraldine and Julia.

Dorothy Anna Maria Webb nee Stephens

Divorce Papers extract from 1913.

Dorothy initially filed against David Webb for the restitution of conjugal rights, around 1911,when grand father Captain David Webb did not return to the marital home. According to the divorce petition he had already setup home with Annie Georgina Walsh, our nan in November 1911.

As Captain Webb stayed in the hotel with his wife Dorothy it is difficult to believe nan did not know he was married already, whatever, the outcome appears to be that after staying in the hotel in 1911 (see the 1911 census for David or Annie for details) sometime after that he setup home or at least lived with nan in various places in Kent.

Dorothy finally filed for divorce around August 1913, dad was born in February 1913 and therefore conceived in 1912 but possible, David and Annie had been cohabiting since 1911.

When quoting directly from the divorce papers I will use italic typeface where the notes are hand written and bold type where it is printed on the petition, have also used bold and italic for hand written interesting bits!!

This is only an extract from the relevant parts but where it is quoted as far as I can “verbatim” or word for word.


COURT MINUTES

Petition filed 12 Sept 1913

Cause Set Down 30 Sept 1913

Decree nisi 9th December 1913

Final Decree 15 June 1914

PREVIOUS PROCEEDINGS

3396 OF 1912


A few pages of build up, court information, Solicitors names etc.

Tells us they married on the 25th November 1908

Then :


Divorce

between Dorothy Anna Maria Webb (then Stephens, spinster) the peititioner and

David Webb the respondent

Be dissolved by reason that since he celebration thereof the said respondent has been guilty of

adultery coupled with desertion of the petitioner he having failed to comply with a decree of Restitution of Conjugal Rights dated 18th June 1913.

Unless sufficient cause to be shown to the Court why this Degree should not be made absolute within Six Months from the making thereof, and condemned.

The Respondent, in the costs incurred and to be incurred on behalf of the said Petitioner in this Cause.


(It does not appear any children were involved as this part of the divorce paper has been lined out.)

Then a few pages of David ignoring Restitution of Conjugal Rights sufficient cause etc.

Copy of their marriage certificate then all hand written after that so all in Italics.


In the High Court of Justice

Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division,

(Divorce)

To the Right Hon : the President

 The 22nd day of August 1913

The petition of Dorothy Anna Maria Webb the lawful wife of David Webb sheweth :-

  1. That on the 25th day of November 1908 Your Petitioner then Dorothy Anna Maria Stephens married David Webb at the Parish Church of Saint George, Hanover Square in the County of London
  2. That after such marriage Your Petitioner lived and cohabited with the said David Webb at divers (means various) places and at 6, Vine Villas, Sevenoaks in the county of Kent and there is no issue of the said marriage now living
  3. That Your Petitioner is now living at Red Cot, Fleet in the County of Southampton and the said David Webb is now living at 2 Rowan Cottages, Blean near Canterbury in the County of Kent and has no occupation and they are now both domiciled in England.
  4. That the said David Webb has frequently committed adultery with Pattee Walcsh.
  5. That the said David Webb has since November 1911 lived and committed adultery with the said Pattee Walcsh at divers places including Thurland House, First Avenue, Gillingham in the County of Kent where I saw them both.
  6. That the said David Webb and Pattee Walsch are now living together at 2 Rowan Cottages, Blean aforesaid.
  7. That on the 13th day of December 1912 Your Petitioner presented a Petition to this Honourable Court praying for a degree of Restitution  of Conjugal Rights and that on the 18th day of June 1913 a decree of Restitution of Conjugal Rights pronounced by this Honourable Court.
  8. That on the 6th day of August 1913 the said Decree was personally served on David Webb at “Fernleigh” 2 Rowan Cottages Blean near Canterbury in the County of Kent and that the said David Webb has failed to comply with the said Decree, and that he has thereby been guilty of Desertion without reasonable cause.
  9. Save and except the before mentioned proceedings there have been no other in reference to the said marriage Your Petitioner therefore prays that your Lordship will decree :- That her marriage with the said David Webb may be dissolved and That she may have such further and other relief as may be just.

 

Dorothy Anna Maria Webb.


There is more after that but only oaths that everything was true and the divorce will be finalised, etc. above is the main reason.