Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 101-120

Chelsea Settlement and Bastardy Examinations, 1733-1766. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 1999.

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Citation:

'Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 101-120', in Chelsea Settlement and Bastardy Examinations, 1733-1766, ed. Tim Hitchcock, John Black( London, 1999), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol33/pp32-38 [accessed 4 November 2024].

'Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 101-120', in Chelsea Settlement and Bastardy Examinations, 1733-1766. Edited by Tim Hitchcock, John Black( London, 1999), British History Online, accessed November 4, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol33/pp32-38.

"Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 101-120". Chelsea Settlement and Bastardy Examinations, 1733-1766. Ed. Tim Hitchcock, John Black(London, 1999), , British History Online. Web. 4 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol33/pp32-38.

Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 101-120

101. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Anne Coxon, the wife of William Coxon, shoemaker, upon oath saith that about nineteen years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said husband at Northampton, by whom she hath two children living; vizt, Mary, aged about 17 years, now at service, and Richard, aged about 14 years, who is employed (this examinant says) below bridge at work. And says that it appears by an indenture bearing date 18 Jan. 1716/7, that her said husband was bound apprentice to one Francis Arthur of the parish of St Giles in the Fields in the said county of Middlesex, cordwainer, for the term of seven years. And that by an endorsement thereon, bearing the date on or about 9 Mar. 1720/1, the said Francis Arthur turned over the said William Coxon, his said apprentice, to his son, John Arthur, who lived in the said parish of St Giles in the Fields for the remainder of his term of apprenticeship. And this examinant further saith that her said husband is gone to sea. And she having been afflicted with illness and being very lame [she] is not capable to subsist without relief. The mark of Anne Coxon. Sworn, 24 Aug. 1741, before us, Peter Elers, Richard Farwell.

102. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. William Browne, aged about 28 years, born at Cirencester in Gloucestershire, upon oath saith that about fourteen years ago he, this examinant, was bound apprentice for seven years to one Mr John Varnon, who kept the Swan and Rumer Tavern in Fince Lane, in Cornhill. With whom he continued and served the space of four years, at which time his said master failed in his business and he was soon after turned over to one Mr Thomas Crawford, vintner, who then kept the Bear and Harrow Tavern in the Butcher Row in the parish of St Clement Danes in the said county of Middlesex, where he continued and served the remainder of the term of his apprenticeship (wanting about eight months). And saith that about the time he quitted the said Mr Crawford's service, he married Anne, his present wife, at the new church in Spitalfields, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, Thomas, aged about 5 years, and Anne, an infant, aged about 3 months. And this examinant saith that since the time of quitting the service of the said Mr Crawford, he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his, this examinant's, knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. William Browne. Sworn, 17 Sept. 1741, before me, Peter Elers, Richard Farwell.

103. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. John Redbath, single man, aged about 34 years, born at a place called Tranent near Edinburgh in Scotland. And says that about fourteen years ago he was bound an apprentice for seven years to one William Hamsead, a barber and peruke maker in the town of Dalkeith in the shire of [blank, Midlothian] with whom he continued and served his full term of apprenticeship. And says that since the time of his serving his apprenticeship as aforesaid, he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his, this examinant's, knowledge) whereby to gain a settlement. [Blank]. Sworn, [blank] Feb. 1741/2, before me, [blank].

104. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Thomas Wythes, by trade a baker, aged 61 years, upon oath saith that about the year 1714 he, this examinant, became a servant hired by the year to Richard Lockwood esq., Turkey merchant. Who then lived on College Hill in the parish of St Michael Royal in the city of London, with whom he continued and served above the space of one year and a quarter of a year in the capacity of a brewer and baker. And [he] received of his said master his full wages for the said time, meat, drink, washing and lodging (at the rate of £6 a year). And saith that his said master at the time he, this examinant, lived with him had a country seat near Hatfield in Hertfordshire, where he was some part of the said time employed to brew and bake. But says that he was for the last two months of his said service at his master's London house on College Hill aforesaid, when he was discharged. And saith that about two years after he quitted the said service he married Elizabeth, his present wife, by whom he hath one son living, named Thomas, aged about 11 years. And also saith that since he, this examinant, quitted the said service of Mr Lockwood [he] has not lived a hired servant a year before marriage, or rented a house for £10 per annum, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. Thomas Wythes. Sworn, 1 Mar. 1741/2, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

105. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Thomas Patterson, aged about 72 years, born at Tangiers, upon oath saith that about the year 1684 he was bound an apprentice for seven years to one Mr William Hyde of Queens Head Alley in Newgate Street in the parish of Christ Church, London, house joiner, with whom he continued and served about the space of three years and half of his said apprenticeship. And then [he] voluntary entered himself a soldier and was abroad in part of King James' the Second reign, and in the late King William's wars and has continued in the army till he was admitted an in pensioner of Chelsea College, where he is now provided for. But says he is not capable of supporting or maintaining his wife, named Joan, aged about 80 years, to whom he was married in the liberty of [the] Fleet in the parish of St Brides, London, as appears by a certificate bearing date 5 Nov. 1732. And this examinant further saith that since the time of quitting his said master, Mr Hyde's service (to whom he was bound apprentice as aforesaid) [he] has not rented a house for £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any other act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement elsewhere. The mark of Thomas Patterson. Sworn, 12 March 1741/2, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

106. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Frances Harris, aged about 64 years, the widow of Thomas Harris, brewer, deceased, upon oath saith that about three years and a half ago her said husband rented a house in a place called the Hop-Garden in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the said county, for which he paid at the rate of £13 per annum rent, and held the same about the space of six months only. But [she] does not know that her said late husband paid any parochial taxes for the same. And saith, that her said late husband also rented a brew house in the said parish of St Martin in the Fields at the yearly rent of £11, which he held about a year and half till he died. And this examinant further saith that since she has been a widow she has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of her, this examinant's, knowledge) whereby to gain a settlement. Frances Harris. Sworn, 23 Mar. 1741/2, before us, Peter Elers, Thomas de Veil.

107. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Martha Guilder, alias Geldart, single woman, aged about 19 years, upon oath says that it appears by a certificate under the seal of the rulers of the Waterman's Company, bearing date 28 Nov. 1715, that Philip Guilder (the late father of this examinant) was bound apprentice to Mary Roe of the parish of Rotherhithe in the county of Surrey, widow, for 7 years from 22 Aug. 1712. And that on 29 May 1713 [he] was by order of the said rulers turned over to Thomas Avery to serve the remainder of his time unexpired. And that on 4 June 1714, the said Philip Guilder was again by an order of the said rulers, turned over to Alexander Crocker of the parish of Lambeth in the county of Surrey, waterman, to serve the residue of his time. And this examinant saith that her said late father, since the time of his serving the remainder of the term of his apprenticeship with Alexander Crocker of the parish of Lambeth as aforesaid, does not know that he ever did rent a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a settlement. And this examinant further saith that she hath three brothers; vizt, Philip, Joseph, and George. Philip and Joseph are placed out apprentice by the parish of Lambeth. And. . . George, who is aged about 9 years is not provided for, he having been lately discharged by a gentleman, who is the brother of Mr Arrundell of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex aforesaid, for his misbehaviour, and who only kept him out of charity and compassion for some time, with an intention (if he had behaved well) to have made him a servant. And that the said George Guilder alias Geldart, is now lain chargeable to the said parish of Chelsea. Martha Geldart, her mark, Sworn, 12 Apr. 1742, before us, Peter Elers, George Abbott.

108. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit, Mary Bradly, aged about 27 years, the wife of George Bradly, upon oath says that about eleven years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said husband at the parish church of St Clement Danes in the liberty of Westminster in the said county of Middlesex. By whom she has three children living; vizt, Mary, aged about 10 years, Lucy, aged about 7 years, and George, aged about 5 years. And says that her said husband (as she, this examinant, has been informed) was born in the royal palace at Kensington where his father and mother then resided as having a place at Court and being one of the King's band of music. And further says that she cannot give any particular account with regard to her said husband's settlement. [Blank]. Sworn, [blank] May 1742, before me, [blank]. [See 110].

109. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. John Ford, aged about 36 years, soldier in Captain Criche [blank] Company of Foot commanded by the Honourable Brigadier General Cornwallis, upon oath says that about 23 years ago he, this examinant was bound an apprentice for seven years to Mr Michael Jennings of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex, baker, with whom he continued and served six years and nine months of his time. And says that the reason he did not serve his full time out was because he absconded and stayed out all one night from his said master's service at Greenwich and that he would not receive him when he return[ed]. So that he was obliged to go to his friends in Hertfordshire where he stayed about a fortnight, at which time his said master delivered this examinant up his indenture, and by endorsement thereon promised him his full liberty of following his trade. And he would not molest or hinder him during the remainder of his apprenticeship (being then about ten weeks to come). And this examinant also says that soon after he had his indentures given him, he lived a journeyman by the week with one Mr Sandford, a baker at Wandsworth in the county of Surrey. Where he continued about the space of three months, and received of the said Mr Sandford 5s. a week wages, meat, drink and lodging. And says that since the time of serving his apprenticeship in manner aforesaid, he, this examinant, has not rented a house of £10 per annum, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement. And further says that about twelve years ago, he married Isabell, his present wife, in the city of Edinburgh in Scotland, by whom he has two children living; vizt, James, aged 10 years, and John, aged about 7 years. John Ford. Sworn, 21 May 1742, before me, Peter Elers.

110. [n.p.] Middlesex sessions. George Bradly, aged about 37 years, upon oath saith that he was born in that part of the royal palace at Kensington which is in the parish of St Margaret, Westminster in the said county. And saith that the late Dr Richard Bradly, professor of botany, was this examinant's father, and that he rented a house of about £7 a year about 25 years ago at North End in the parish of Fulham in the county of Middlesex, about the space of seven years and paid all parochial taxes for the same. And that this examinant lived with his said father at the same time. And further saith that since he lived with his father at the time aforesaid [he] has not been an apprentice, or rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement. And saith that in the month of Feb. 1731 he, this examinant, was married to Mary, his present wife, at the parish church of St Clement Danes in the said county, by whom he has three children living; vizt, Mary, aged about 10 years, Lucy, aged about 7 years, and George, aged about 5 years. George Bradly. Sworn, 22 June 1742, before us, Peter Elers, Richard Farwell. [See 108].

111. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. John Pritchett, a sawyer, aged about 54 years, upon oath says that he was born in the parish of Garway in Herefordshire. And that about 28 years since he, this examinant, lived a servant hired by the year to one Mr Murdock Broomer, a soap maker, who then lived in West Smithfield in the parish of St Sepulchres, London, with whom he continued and served the space of two years and upwards, and received his full wages of his said master for the said time at the rate of £8 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that about seventeen years ago he married Elizabeth, his present wife, in the liberty of the Fleet. And further says that since the time that he lived a hired servant by the year as aforesaid (which was before he married) [he] has not rented a house of £10 per annum, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement elsewhere. The mark of John Pritchett. Sworn, 20 July 1742, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

112. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. William Dyos of Catherine Street in the Strand, painter, says upon oath that John Bell, a child aged about 2 years and a quarter, is the son of John Bell, brewer, deceased, by Sarah Bell, alias Morgan, who is also deceased. And that the said child was born in Blackfriars, which is in the parish of St Ann Blackfriars, London, where the said John Bell (the father) rented a house of about £20 per annum and lived and cohabited together with the said Sarah Bell as man and wife. And this examinant also says that he was a lodger in the said house at the time the said child was born and is godfather to it and was a near relation to the mother of the said child. But [he] cannot say that the said Sarah Bell, alias Morgan, was ever married to the said John Bell, though she went always by his name and was reputed to be his wife. William Dyos. Sworn, 31 July 1742, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

113. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. John Edlin, shoemaker, aged about 47 years, born at East Acton in the said county of Middlesex, upon oath says that in the year 1708 he, this examinant, was bound apprentice to one Richard Simmons, shoemaker in New Brentford in the parish of Hanwell in the said county for the term of seven years, with whom he continued and served his full time of apprenticeship. And says that since the time of serving his apprenticeship as aforesaid he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) whereby to gain a legal settlement. And further says that about fourteen years ago he, this examinant, married Betty, his present wife, at Bristol, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, Betty, aged 8 years, and Polchampton, aged about 4 years. John Edlin. Sworn, 16 Aug. 1742, before us, Peter Elers, George Abbott.

114. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Hester Coronel, widow, upon oath says that she is a midwife, and that on or about the nineteenth day of this instant August last, was twelve month, she, this examinant, delivered one Mrs Mary Delacoste of a female child which is (as she has since heard) called or named Mary. And says that the said Mary Delacoste (the mother) is a foreigner and does not know that she ever gained a settlement in England. And that at the time when she, this examinant, delivered her of the said child, the said Mary Delacoste (the mother) lodged in the dwelling house of one Mr John Lecam, a jeweller, who lives in that part of the Strand which is in the parish of St Clement Danes in the said county of Middlesex. And further saith not. [Blank]. Sworn, 30 Aug. 1742, before us, [blank].

115. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Augustine Eggburt, aged abut 22 years, the widow of Thomas Eggburt, gardener, lately deceased, upon oath says that about thirteen years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said late husband at the parish church of St George Hanover Square in the said county, by whom she hath six children living; vizt, Phillis, aged about 12 years, Sarah and Anne (twins), aged about 9 years, Casander, aged about 7 years, Thomas, aged about 4 years, and William, an infant, aged about a month. And this examinant says that her said husband before marriage lived with one Mr Wright of Earls Court in the parish of Kensington in the county aforesaid, merchant, about the space of three years as a hired servant by the year in the capacity of a gardener, and had meat, drink, washing and lodging, besides about £10 a year wages. And this examinant further says that since her said late husband lived with Mr Wright a hired servant before marriage as aforesaid, [he] has not rented a house of £10 a year, or done any act or thing, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. Augustine Eggburt. Sworn, 13 Sept. 1742, before us, Peter Elers, William Miller.

116. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Sarah Cadles, aged about 25 years, the wife of James Cadles, a gardener (who is a soldier in the Second Regiment of Foot Guards, now in Flanders), upon oath says that on 21 Oct. 1739 she, this examinant, was married to her said late husband in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom she has one child living, named Elizabeth, aged about a year and three quarters. And says that at the time she was married to her said husband he was apprentice, bound for seven years, to one Thomas Arnold of the parish of St George Hanover Square in the said county, gardener. And that when she married him he wanted about a year and four months to serve of his apprenticeship; which he served his master out faithfully notwithstanding his marriage with this examinant. And this examinant further says that since her said husband served his apprenticeship as aforesaid, he has not rented a house of £10 per annum, or paid any parochial taxes; or done any act or thing (to the best of her knowledge) whereby to gain a settlement. Sarah Cadles, her mark. Sworn, 2 Nov. 1742, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers.

117. [n.p.] The examination of Barbara Frampton, single woman, taken voluntary upon oath before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex sessions. Who says that on 20 Oct. last she was delivered of a dead female bastard child in the workhouse at Chelsea. Which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one James Hoar who was servant to Lord Frederick Murray, then a lodger to Mr Greenhead, an apothecary in Mealman's Row at Chelsea in the said county, where the said James Hoar had carnal knowledge of her body the first time, which was on the fourteenth day of February last (being Valentine's day) and several times after in the said house. And that the said James Hoar was the true and only father of the said female child. And further saith not. The mark of Barbara Frampton. 16 Nov. 1742, before me, Peter Elers. [See 182].

118. [n.p.] Middlesex sessions. Elenor Digsby, single woman, aged about 21 years, born at Chertsey in the county of Surrey, upon oath says that about three years ago she, this examinant, became a servant hired by the year to one Mr Shutes in Berry Street in the parish of St James in the liberty of Westminster in the said county, snuff maker. With whom she continued and served for the space of a whole year and upwards, and received her full wages of her said master for the said time (meat, drink, washing and lodging) at the rate of £3 10s. per annum. And says that she has not lived a year a hired servant in any place since, or done any other act (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a settlement elsewhere. The mark of Elenor Digsby. Sworn, 23 Nov. 1742, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

119. [n.p.] Middlesex sessions. The examination of Anne Eliker, single woman, taken voluntary upon oath before me [blank] esq. . . . Who says that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one Robert Barnes (who is now a journeyman to Mr John Chipperfield, a farmer in Chelsea in the said county). And says that the said John Barnes had carnal knowledge of her body the first time on Christmas day last in the dwelling house of Mr [blank] Hanks of Little Chelsea in the parish of Kensington in the said county, blacksmith and farrier, where this examinant and the said Robert Barnes at the time lived fellow servants, and several times after in the said house. And also says that the said Robert Barnes is the true and only father of the said child or children (when born). And further saith not. [Blank]. Sworn at Chelsea, [blank] Dec. 1742, before me, [blank]. [See 121].

120. [n.p.] Middlesex sessions. Jane Moles, single woman, aged about 23 years, born at Gibraltar (where her father was a soldier), upon oath says that about fifteen years ago she, this examinant, was bound an apprentice at Gibraltar to one John Richardson for seven years, who soon after came to England with his family and this examinant. And [he] rented a house in Rochester Row in Tuttleffields, which is in the parish of St John the Evangelist, Westminster, which was at the time an alehouse known by the sign of the Sun and which the said Richardson kept (as this examinant believes) about the space of four years and paid about £18 per annum rent besides parochial taxes. And says that after the said Richardson quitted the said house he went to Guernsey and Jersey. And this examinant further says that since the time of her living with her said master (Richardson) while she was an apprentice in Rochester Row as aforesaid, she has not been a hired servant in any place by the year, or done any act or thing, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. The mark of Jane Moles. Sworn, 27 Jan. 1742/3, before us, Robert Mann, Thomas de Veil.