Anne Elizabeth Ayres - The Mystery Continues

Anne Elizabeth Ayres - 1857 to ???????

Every once in a while when delving into family history you hit a brick wall.   In my family history I've been battling with a massive brick wall for at least the past year.  Every once in a while I like to revisit this brick wall to see if I can chip away at another brick.  

So what do I know about this elusive woman..

Well first of all when she was born.   

Anne Elizabeth Ayres was born in Helmdon in the 4th Quarter of 1857.  She was baptised in Helmdon on 6 December 1857.   

Her parents were John Ayres (1825 - 1883) and Esther Cadd (1829 - 1882)

In 1861 she was living in Helmdon, Northamptonshire with 

John Ayres	33
Ertha Ayres	31
John Ayres	6
Eliz Ann Ayres	3
George Willm Ayres	1
Ann Cadd	27

Ann Cadd is Esther's sister
In 1871 she was living in Helmdon, Northamptonshire with 

John Ayres                      45

Esther Ayres                   41

Ann Ayres                      13

George Willm Ayres       11

Mary Lucelia Ayres        8

Jone Ayres                     2

In the 3rd Quarter of  1875 she married Timothy Humphrey Major (1858-1939) in Helmdon, Northamptonshire
In 1881 she was living in Helmdon, Northamptonshire with 

Timothy Major	23
Anne Major	23
Charlotte E. Major	4
Susannah M. Major	2

In 1891 she was living in Helmdon, Northamptonshire with 

Temothy Major	52
Annie E Major	52
Settie Major	9
Edith Major	8
William Major	4
Mary Major	1

In 1892 she was living in Helmdon, Northamptonshire as she registered the birth of her son Walter Edward Major.
This is the last known document  which mentions Anne Elizabeth.
The next census return (1901) had Timothy living with his children on his own.  

Timothy Major	45
Lottie Major	24
May Major	10
Edward Major	8
Lily Major	4
Jack Major	3

He still states that he is married.  It needs to be noted that from further investigations Lily And Jack are not actually Timothy & Anne's children.  Lily is the child of Timothy's eldest daughter Charlotte and Jack (born Herbert John Major) is the son of Timothy's second daughter Susannah. 

In 1911 Timothy is listed as a Widow living in Syresham.  He is living with 

Timothy Major	54
Elizabeth Major	34
May Major	21
Edward Major	19
Evelyn Major	8
Mable Major	4
Connie Major	2

It is not yet clear who Evelyn, Mable and Connie belong to but it can be assumed that they are not Timothy's children. 

The story I have gleaned from emailing people researching the family is that Anne left the village and moved to Rawmarsh Yorkshire with a Robert Williams (1857 Liverpool).  It was said that they had two children Samuel Arthur (1897 Derbyshire) and Phyllis Maud (1903 Leeds).

Whether this is the correct Ann still remains to be seen.  There is no record of a marriage to Robert despite Ann being listed at Ann Williams on the census returns of 1901 and 1911.

The family are mentioned in the local newspapers on a few instances.  For example, 

On 3rd May 1889, Timothy Major was mentioned in relation to an appearance in Brackley County Court.  

Brackley County Court - A Short Sitting

 Henry Pope Helmdon v Timothy Major Claim 14s 9d.  Defendant admitted 12s 6d and balance 9d for six bottles of beer.  Order for 13s to be got by instalments of 1s 6d a month

(Northampton Mercury - Friday 11 May 1889 extracted from British Newspaper Archive Online 28/09/2014)

On 15th June 1892, Timothy Major was mentioned in relation to an appearance in Brackley County Court in connection with an incident involving Susannah Major

Brackley County Court - 

George Yates, Culworth, stonemason, was charged with indecently assulating Susannah Mary Major, aged 13, at Helmdon on May 18th - Mr G J Phillips defended - Complainant deposed she was 13 years of age, and worked for Mrs Wood, at Helmdon, as nursemaid.  On the day named she was sent by Mrs Wood to play with her daugther, Flora Alice Wood, and two other children, aged six and two years, in a barn near the house.  It was half past five in the evening.  Defendant came there and spoke to them.  Complainant and the little boy were in a trap, and defendant tipped it up and shot them out.  Defendant then caught hold of her and tipped her over his shoulder, her head being downwards.  He subsequently put his head under her clothes.  Evidence was also given by Flora Wood, Mrs Wood, Timothy Major (Father of the complainant), and PC Templman and the bench dismissed the case. 

(Northampton Mercury - Friday 17 June 1892 extracted from British Newspaper Archive Online 28/09/2014) 

On Wednesday 17th January 1900, William Major (son of Timothy and elder brother of Edward) was before the Police court in Brackley. 

The Northampton Mercury Report as follows:

William Major, aged 12, son of Timothy Major of Helmdon, Labourer, was charged with stealing 11 1/2 d at Helmdon on 22nd of December last, belonging to Ann Franklin, a widow.  From the evidence given by the father, a shocking state of affairs was revealed as to the way in which his family lived, an on request of the father, who pleaded guilty for the boy, the lad was committed to Gem Street Industrial School for three years. 

(Northampton Mercury Friday 19th January 1900 extracted from British Newspaper Archives Online 28.09/2014) 

It has to be noted here that William was not the only child of the family put in an industrial school for whatever reason.  Lilian and Jack (Herbert) were both also sent to Industrial Schools. 

On Wednesday 18th April 1906, Timothy Major was fined in the petty sessions in Brackley Court.  

The Northampton Mercury report as follows:

Timothy Major, Helmdon, labourer was charged with not sending his child Edward, aged 13, to school - Defendant was fined 1s and 4s costs

(Northampton Mercury - Friday 20 April 1906 extracted from British Newspaper Archive Online 28/09/2014)

From these newspaper reports it's safe to say that the family had a bit of a rough deal.   Could this have been the reason why Ann disappeared.  Did she find things hard to cope with?  Although if she found things difficult to cope with would she run off with another man and have two children?  

I have looked in asylums and poor records to see if she was there (to disprove that this is the same person).  My next step I think is to order the birth certificates of Samuel and Phyllis to see what the former name of Anne Williams was?

I will keep you posted when I've found out if this is the same mysterious woman