Thread: John Hamer - Emigrated to America in 1872

I've been searching for information on a John Hamer b1849 Blackburn, Lancashire. I've recently found that he married a Mary Harrison in 1870, but the marriage failed.



He divorced her in 1880/81, and I've found a newspaper article relating to the divorce.



It states that John left for America (without his wife) in 1872, and returned in 1875.



Would anyone be able to look up on American census to see where he might have been living and what he might have done out there?



My guess is that he would have left by boat from Liverpool, probably to New York, but I cant be certain.



If anyone has the available resources to look this up for me it would really be appreciated.

I hope this doesnt sound too cheeky....but is there any way you could also check 1871 & 1873?



I know he did go to America as it was in a newspaper article, but the article wasnt specific about the date exactly.



Thank you so much.

Hi hamd01,



If John left for America in 1872, and returned in 1875 he would have missed both the 1870 and 1880 censuses.

Hi hamd01,



Was John deffinately born in 1849. The only John Hamer I can find was born c1852. Was a miner. Arrived in the USA 09 Jul 1872 but with his family (possibly siblings).

Thank you for all your help starlight. Im pretty certain the John Hamer you mention is not the correct one. My John Hamer left for America alone, and I'm 100% on the birthdate.



I'm pasting below the newspaper article relating to his divorce, it says that;



In December 1871 his wife left town with another man, and John Hamer left for America shortly after.



In July 1875 he returned from America.



He was actually working in the cotton industry, but obviously I know nothing of what he did in the USA.



It seems very odd that he would travel to America and return a few years later.....cant quite work that one out.



The return hourney of July 1875 seems quite specific, but I dont know where in America he would have been traveling from.



Thanks again for all your help.





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The Blackburn Standard, Friday December 24, 1880



In the divorce division of the high court of Justice yesterday, the Right Hon. The President had before him the legal case of Hamer v. Hamer and Holden, which was the husbands’s petition for the dissolution of his marriage by reason of his wife’s adultery with the co-respondent, Mr J J Copperwyld appeared for the petitioner and called the following evidence; John Hamer the petitioner, said he resided at Sykes Street Blackburn, in the county of Lancaster, and married the respondent, Mary Hamer (then a Miss Mary Harrison) on the 22nd May 1870, at the District Registrar’s Office, Blackburn.



After this marriage they first lived in Cleaver Street, and afterwards in Burleigh Street, in that town. They had one child, a boy, born 30th August following. His wife left him in October, and went to live with her Mother, and although he had often asked her to return to him she refused, saying that she would not leave her mother whilst she lived. During this time he supplied her with money for her support. In December of 1871 his wife left the town in company with the co-respondent John Holden a weaver, and he traced them into Somersetshire. Witness went away to America shortly afterwards, and in the year of 1874 he heard that his wife and Holden had married.



In July 1875 he returned to England and about 2 months ago he went with inspector Livesey to the house in which they were living, but did not speak to her. Inspector Livesey told her that Witness was going to get a divorce, and he replied that she thought that witness had already obtained one. The inspector asked her how many Children she had had by Holden, and she answered “Three, the eldest of which is six years of age.” She further stated that she had been married to the co-respondent on the 6th June 1874, at St Michael’s Church Blackburn. He did not institute proceedings before for want of means. William Livesey was next called and deposed that he was inspector of Police at Blackburn and had known the petitioner for many years. He recollected their marriage taking place in 1870. On the 4th June last he went to Stanley Street Blackburn, by himself, upon which occasion he saw the respondent, and asked her if she was aware that her husband was instituting proceedings for a divorce. She said she understood that he had got one, and added that she did not care, as she had a good husband. Witness said “Then you are married?”And she said “Yes, to John Holden”. This was the same women who he had formerly known as Mary Hamer, the petitioner’s wife. On the 10th of last month he went again, accompanied by the petitioner, to the house, and informed her that they had notice that the case was going to come on. Witness saw the children. He was acquainted with the co-respondent who was present. , and who said they were married at St Michael’s church. Both the respondent and the co-respondent said the three children in the room were their children. The learned President, upon this evidence, pronounced a decree nisi remarking that, as there was no evidence to show that the co-respondent knew the respondent was a married woman, he should make no order as to costs

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Hi hamd01,



You maynot have any luck with the incommong journey as a lot of these records were destroyed by the department of commerce in 1900. I am not sure if all of the the outgoing ones are available so they may or may not turn up.



p.s - I wish I could get newspaper cuttings like yours. I have 2 that contain about 3 sentances each.

I do feel extreamly lucky with the newspaper posting....its very informative! I managed to get the divorce petition from the national archives too



I have just also found another newspaper article via the British Library, but £6.99 seems a little harsh....I'm sure I wont be able to resist though!