Polly Nichols' children

[Barrister]

As I understand it, Polly Nichols' husband ran off with the nurse brought in to help with her childbirth. Where did the children live between this time and the date of Polly's murder? Did they live with her father or did Nichols return to the family home? Thanks so much.

[Debra A]

As I understand it, Polly Nichols' husband ran off with the nurse brought in to help with her childbirth. Where did the children live between this time and the date of Polly's murder? Did they live with her father or did Nichols return to the family home? Thanks so much.

Hi Barrister,
William and Polly apparently separated around 1880/1.
By 1883 William Nichols had a child by his next door neighbour at Peabody building, widow Rosetta Walls nee Vidler. Both families are on the 1881 census at this address, William is alone and has his and Polly's children living with him apart from the oldest child William Edward Walker Nichols b 1864 who died in infancy in 1866.

After 1881 but before 1888, William and Rosetta christened three children- Henry Alfred, who was really the son of William and Polly, was baptised as the son of William and Rosetta in 1883 and also Arthur Walls Nichols was baptised on the same day. He was William and Rosetta's son. William and Rosetta's son John James was baptised in 1887 and the couple finally married after Polly's death on 26th 1888 and had at least two more children.
William and Polly's eldest son, Edward, married the day after his father.