The Hush-Hush Don’t Tell! – My Great Grandmother Was a Kept Woman

During Percy’s early life after marriage, he and Maud probably would rather the story of her Mother and Father’s relationship was not spoken about.

It seems to be a fact (although I have not seen any independent evidence, and this is purely what I have been told) Maud’s Mother (Elizabeth Anne “Bessie” Andrews) was a kept woman, also known as a Mistress.

She never married her partner Charles Benjamin Hartley. (Woodham? – To our side of the family I think he was simply known as Grandpa Woodham).

Elizabeth Anne Andrews

Lantern Slide Extra! A Photo contributed by Dennis

Charles Benjamin Hartley

Wikipedia explains the meaning of “kept woman” here.

Generally, the relationship is stable and at least semi-permanent, but the couple does not live together openly and the relationship is usually, but not always, secret. There is often also the implication that the mistress is sometimes “kept” – i.e. that her lover is contributing to her living expenses… via Wikipedia

Lantern Slide Extra! A Photo contributed by Dennis

From the Geni website:
Elizabeth Anne Andrews
Birthdate: circa 1859
Birthplace: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK
Death: circa 1942 (74-91)
Immediate Family:
Daughter of John Andrews and Mary Hannah Andrews
Partner of Charles Benjamin Hartley
Mother of Annie Wiggins-Davies; Maud Evans; Norah Ramsey; Doris Elizabeth Hartley and Florence Cooper

See the Geni Family Tree here.

Am I correct in thinking that Judyth Evans would have been the person to have created the records in the family tree at the above link?

If anyone knows more, please comment below, or get in touch.