Captain John Unett, formerly of the 3rd Hussars (27) married Margaret Ann Horton (21) on 8th July 1867 in Catshill, Worcestershire.

 

John and Margaret had 2 children

John Alfred was born on 3rd October 1868 in Weston (Weston under Penyard), Herefordshire. His sister, Agnes was born nearly 2 years later on 31st May 1870 also in Weston.

 

In 1871 the family can be found living at the Laurels, Knighton.

 

John aged 31,  Retired Army Officer

Margaret, aged 24

John, aged 2

Agnes, aged 10 months.

Margaret's mother is also living with them

Margaret Horton, aged 51

 

The Cardiff Times - 13th July 1878

KNIGHTON AND TENBY DIVORCE SUIT. In the divorce division  of the High Court of Justice on Thursday, the Right Hon. President had before him the local divorce suit of Unett v. Unett, which was the petition of the wife for a dissolution of her marriage on the ground of her husband's (Captain John Unett) adultery and cruelty. He answered, denying the cruelty, and alleged that if there had been any adultery it had been condoned. Dr Tristram, Mr A. Currie. and Mr Rowland Smith were counsel for the petitioner.

            The petitioner stated that she was the wife of the respondent, and was married in 1867 at the parish church of Catshill, and resided first at Weston, Tenby, and eventually at Knighton. There Hannah Kinsey came into the service. She remained at the Laurels, where witness and her husband lived. He said that he preferred the girl to witness, and wished, he said, to marry her. He also confessed that he had been unduly familiar with the girl, and wished to have her back in the house. Fearing that she would come back, witness left the Laurels and went to Tenby. Certain representations were made by her husband's family, and cohabitation was renewed. The respondent used often to frighten her at night, and in May, 1875, he gave her a blow in the face. Witness, in consequence, had to seek shelter at a neighbour's. At night he threatened to "do for her," Witness for his treatment had four premature confinements. Eventually the respondent left her, stating that he should bring Kinsey back again.

            Charles Langford, Stationer and Post Master at Knighton said he Knew the parties to the suit, and also Hannah Kinsey. The respondent asked him to pay money to Kinsey for two children she had. Witness commenced to receive and pay money about May, 1874, and he had made payments from time to time ever since. He remembered respondent coming to his house in 1877, and Unett stated that he had been to Stowe and seen Hannah Kinsey.

            Mary Watkins, widow, said that she kept the Central Wales Tavern, Knighton, and knew the respondent. He came to her house and asked for a bed for himself and Kinsey. Witness told him we had not one to spare, and they had better go up the town. They then went away together.

            Mrs Day. wife of John Day, of Tenby, said that she knew the petitioner, and had seen the respondent use violence to her in May, 1875. He struck her a blow on the face, and witness said that the petitioner had a black mark on her. In September. 1876, witness prevented a blow being struck when the parties to the suit and witness were in the dining-room.

            Mrs Sheldon, of South-street, Tenby, knew the parties to the suit. Remembered the petitioner coming to her house when she had received a blow, and her dress was saturated with milk. On another occasion the petitioner came to her house to escape Captain Unett's violence. She never heard that person use any threats. Dr Trayner said that he practised at Tenby, and well knew the petitioner since 1873. She had been prematurely confined, and this witness attributed to her husband's violence. The respondent gave way to habits of intemperance, and on one occasion he had to be held down. Witness had seen the petitioner's face after receiving a blow. Mr Green, solicitor, residing at Knighton, said he was clerk to the magistrates of that division. He produced a minute book which contained entries until 1876. In February, 1874, a bastardy order was made.

Sir James Hannen I cannot accept this. I must have the evidence myself.

            Witness's examination continued Captain Unett was not present at either trial, Hannah Kinsey made a complaint to the magistrate.

            Sir Jas. Hannen said that the hypothesis was that the respondent had been with the girl long enough to have two children. The adultery could be easily  proved.

            Mr Laagford recalled said, that he knew the respondent had lived with Kinsey at the Laurels after the petitioner left. To the Judge, the case of adultery was so rife that witness went to the house as a neighbour, feeling concerned for Unett's reputation. It was his intention that the girl should be disposed of. Witness did not see the respondent, but he saw the girl.

            Sir Jas, Hannen said that the case had been got up in the manner it had, probably because the matter was so "rife." The court would act on that, and the case must stand over for further evidence.

 

Hannah Kinsey's child by John Unett was Mildred, born 1874. Hannah had one other daughter born in 1873, Mary Ann. Don't know if she was John's too. Hannah was in Knighton in 1872 but as you will see she didn't start working for John until the next year, maybe that's how she got the job?

 

South Wales Daily News - 1st August 1878

A KNIGHTON AND TENBY DIVORCE CASE.

            In the Divorce Division of the High Court. of Justice, on Wednesday, Sir James Hannen had again before him the local suit of Unett v. Unett, which was the petition of the wife of Capt. Unett, of The Laurels, Knighton, for a divorce on the grounds of misconduct of the husband.

            Dr Tristram and Mr Howard Smith were for the petitioner. Mrs Ellen Davis, wife of Win. Davis, tailor, residing at Knighton, stated that she knew the parties to the suit, and was present when a girl named Kinsey was at the house. Witness remembered the petitioner leaving and going to Tenby. Witness knew that the respondent and Kinsey occupied the same room subsequent to that period.

            Hannah Kinsey said that she resided at Knighton in 1872. She went into the service of Captain Unett on the 15th of November, 1873. She had a child, of which the respondent was the father.

            Sir James Hannen made a decree nisi for a divorce with costs.

 

The petition for divorce was made on 1st February 1878

Decree Nisi granted 31st July 1878

Final Decree being granted on 25th March 1879

 

Agnes, John and Margaret's daughter,  died in 1879, aged 9 years, she was buried in Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, London

 

John only lived another 19 months after the divorce. He died in 1880

 

Administration

John Unett Esq., late of Amerson Villa, Britannia Square in the  city of Wrocester, unmarried, who died 29th August 1880 at Worcester was granted at the Principal Registry on 27th October, under the usual limitations to Harry Hanzell Unett of Malton in  the county of York, Esquire, the uncle and guardian of John Alfred Unett, a minor, the son and only next of kin.

 

Margaret never remarried.

 

Probate

Margaret Ann Unett of Picton Road, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Widow, died 10th October 1905 at Carmarthen. Probate: Camarthen 21st November to John Alfred Unett, Captain in the East Yorkshire Regiment.

 

Hannah Kinsey finally married on 18th November 1895 to Charles Hand in St. Edwards Church, Knighton. He was a groom and she a cook

 

They had one child William Charles who was baptised on 13th December 1895. Sadly, William died a few days later, he was only 15 days old. He was buried on 23rd December in Knighton Cemetery.

 

Hannah Hand was at the Central Wales Railway Hotel when a childs body was found in the attic there in 1907. Click HERE for more on the story.

 

Mildred Kinsey (born 1874) married Wilson Oxley on 7th March, 1898 in Sandal Magna, West Riding of Yorkshire. Sometime between 1903 and 1906 they became landlord and landlady of the Central Wales Railway Hotel in Knighton.

 

On their marriage certificate Mildred names her father as John Kinsey, deceased. She got his name half right. Whether her mother told her who her real father was is not known. Maybe she knew but to hide the shame of illegitimacy (back then) she didn't put the real name of her father.

 

They had 3 children

Ethel born 1898 in New Millerdam Wakefield

Hilda born 1903 in Hornby, Lancashire

Gladys born 1906 in Knighton

 

Wilson Oxley died aged 39 in 1906. He was buried in Knighton Cemetery on 9th November.

 

Administration

Wilson Oxley of the 'Central Wales' Hotel, Knighton, Radnorshire, Publican. Died 6th November 1906. Administration Hereford 24th December to Mildred Oxley, Widow.

 

Hannah and Charles are living in Castle Bank in 1901. Charles is enumerated as a Groom (not domestic) and Hannah as a Cook (also not domestic)

 

In 1911 Hannah is on her own at Castle Bank, she is now a Laundress working from home. Charles is not with her, although she says she is married. At the time of publishing this article I have not been able to locate Charles.

 

Mildred remarried on 30th March 1913. Her second husband was George Hector Peach a 49 year old widower. They married in St. Edwards Church, Knighton. Mildred was still the landlady of the Central Wales Railway Hotel. On this marriage there is no named father for Mildred.

 

This was not to be a happy marriage and they soon parted.

 

Charles Hand died in January 1919 at Castle Road, Knighton, aged 48. He was buried on 13th January in Knighton Cemetery.

 

Hannah died at Castle Bank, Knighton, aged 69, in May of 1923 and was buried 12th May in Knighton Cemetery.

 

Mildred moved to 56 Derby Road in Ambergate, Derbyshire, this is where she died on 8th February 1951, aged 76. Mildred was buried on 12th February. She was buried with her first husband Wilson Oxley in Knighton Cemetery.