John Edwards
 

Baptised c 1818 Edgefield, son of William Edwards & Sarah

Had two illegitimate sons in 1840: John Starling & Edmund Skillings.
Banns called for marriage with Ann Starling. Marriage did not take place.
Banns called for marriage with Ann Starling.
Married Ann Starling.

1841 in Edgefield aged 25 with Ann & John (1)

Married Louisa Skillings

1851 in Edgefield aged 33 with Louisa, John (11), Elizabeth (9), Martha (7), Emily (3),Leah Louisa (1 mo)

1861 in Edgefield aged 44 with Louisa, John Starling (19) Emily Edwards (13) James Skillings stepson (12) Leah L (10) William (3) Ebenezer (4) Samuel (2)

1871 in Edgefield aged 54 with Louisa, Ebenezer, Samuel & gd Harriet Breeze

1881 in Edgefield aged 64 with Louisa, John S, Ebenezer, Samuel & Harriet.

Louisa commits suicide 1883.
1886 marries Mary Ann - probably Mary Ann Rowe
1891 in Edgefield aged 74 with Mary Ann aged 52

1897 dies aged 82.

Occupation is shown as woodman on later censuses.

It is only because Louisa registered the birth of her son as Edmund Edwards and named the father as John that I know he is my ancestor. I do not know, but strongly suspect that John was a persistent womaniser!

Timeline:

30 June 1839: first calling of banns with Ann Starling

Ann Starling's son born. Registered as John Edwards

19 April 1840: second calling of banns
26 April 1840: third calling of banns

19 May 1840: marries Ann Starling

13 September 1840: Edmund Albert, son of Louisa Skillings born
20 September 1840: Louisa registers birth as Edmund Albert Edwards, naming father as John Edwards