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In 1847, Ann Marshall, wife of Richard Marshall, farmer of Heatherslaw, died.

The following year, at Kirknewton Parish Church (some miles and a couple of parishes away - was there some disapproval in their home parish?), Richard Marshall (65) married Jane Lilico (27).

Love? Lust? Prosaic practicality? We'll never know.

Richard Marshall died in 1858 and is buried in Ford Churchyard. He and Jane had no children.

In 1861, however, Jane can be found living at Henlaw, the second, smaller farm that Richard had held. (Heatherslaw Farmhouse was rented out as a gentleman's residence, the land of it and Henlaw presumably farmed by one of the neighbouring farmers.) She is listed as 'fundholder', which is a term I can't find a precise definition for in this context, but implies that she had private income.

She was 41 and a widow, the most independent status for a woman, if she had a little money - which Jane clearly did, as she was able to employ a servant.

As far as I know, Jane never remarried, but I like to think she got her happy ending!

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