Comments

Thanks Les, This would be a very reasonable supposition except that as Rob has pointed out William's first wife was much older when they married and past childbearing years.  No children from his marriages.

Was William left with young children, if so, his marriage to Ann may have been one of convenience which grew as he mourned his first wife. Ann would have been around him no doubt, helping him and rather than bring her into his household as a housekeeper, he married her for the sake of respectability.

Perhaps he had a penchant for older women?  And now the good news - I've found the wedding and it was in Hackney!

Note it was witnessed by Sally or Salle SAUNDERS, William's sister.   I believe Ann SHORTMAN was an older sister of the Elizabeth who was William's first wife.  But what were they doing in London?
Thank you for the interest you have shown - it's always good to get a second opinion.

Call me a male chauvinist if you must but if William is 53, then Ann at 70 is more likely to be his mother rather than his wife.

Rob

Thank you Rob, but yes I had discounted this one as he made a mark and elsewhere he signed documents with a firm hand. Interestingly his marriage to Elizabeth only lasted about 6 months before she died.

findmypast and ancestry have a marriage of William SAUNDERS to Ann SIMMONS on 10 Oct 1830 at Temple, Bristol

Sarah Simmons was a witness - does not mention William's marital state

Have you discounted this one?

Rob