Hi, I am researching the descendants of William H Ashley & Mary Middleton of Kent Co MD. I recently came accross the obituary for Joseph Ashley Jan 1895, whom I believe to be their son . I have him as married to Mary Alphonsia Grant from 1848 until his death in 1895. She died in 1902. The obituary says that Joseph, a sailor had 23 children, 13 of whom were living at his death along with his wife. It mentions a first wife , but I think it assigns the children of Mary A to the first wife & lists the first wife's children as those of the second wife. The children listed are:
John Ashley, Mrs Cornelius & Mrs Wm Rollison. I think these are Olivia Ashley b. March 1843 who married Joseph Cornelius 6 Jan 1872 & Parthenia Ashley b: 1842 who married William Rollison. In the 1880 census Olivia is listed with Ida Hadaway a niece & also with Joseph Rollison a nephew in 1900. so I believe that it is possible that Ann Haddaway was the first wife. from an 1836 marriage.
It also lists Joseph Ashley, Laura Ashley, Mrs JG Edwards (Georgina Florence) Mrs. Thomas Price (Mary A Ashley) Mrs John Ward, Mrs Lemuel Beck (Martha AM Ashley), Mrs Edward Boulter or Houlter, Mrs Edward Beck Henry Ashley & Charles Ashley as surviving children.
This is the first I have heard of him being married twice. I would appreciate any information you have on this line & will share what else I have. I will also check with some other researchers on this line to see if they are aware of this possibility.

Many thanks