Queries about Obed and Eunice Saddington of Denford, Northamptonshire

Eunice is not a common forename, especially not in the Saddington family. The only Eunice that I know of so far is the Eunice Marriott, born 1828 in Tilbrook, Bedfordshire (daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth), who married Obed Saddington (son of John and Anne) on 13 September 1847 in Denford, Northamptonshire.

Obed and Eunice produced eight children, the eldest of whom was Selina Augusta, baptised in 1849 in Tilbrook, BDF - it not being unusual for young wives to go home to Mum when giving birth for the first time.

So, when I was pottering through the 1851 census on Ancestry and spotted a reference to Uness Saddington, my immediate thought was of Obed and Eunice. When I viewed the record, I was most surprised to see reference made to Frances, Uness and Deliner Saddington. On viewing the image (HO107/2095, Folio 33, Page 34), my confusion increased. Lodging with Thomas Blake and family at Blakes Lodge in the parish of Creeton in South Lincolnshire were the following:

Frances Saddington Lodger Mar 26 Rail Lab Northampton Denford
Uness Do Do Mar 24 Do Do Wife Bedford Tilbrook
Seliner Do Do - 2 - Northampton Denford

This had to be Obed, Eunice and little Selina Augusta, but why was he calling himself Frances? If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

My second query is as follows:

In the 1881 census, Obed (or Abed as he is enumerated) is living in the Sevenoaks Union Workhouse at Sundridge in Kent. He describes himself as a Railway Labourer, which fits in with other information known about him, and as a widower! See RG11/0909, Folio 119 Page 4.

Funny that! In 1881, Eunice Saddington is living at 58 Benwell Road, London, keeping house for her elder brother, Ambrose, and a young niece, Eunice H Bawn. And she is describing herself as a widow! See RG11/0268, Folio 49, Page 30.

Just what is going on? If you are descended from Obed and Eunice, and know what happened or have additional information on this family, please enlighten me!