Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 81-100

Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 81-100

81. [n.p] The examination of Honor Harris, single woman, taken voluntary upon oath before us, Peter Elers and Robert Mann esqs . . . Middlesex, to wit. Who saith that on 6 Feb. last she was delivered of a male bastard child in the dwelling house of John Gordon, a carpenter, in Chelsea, which is baptised and named John. And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Thompson, late of Chelsea aforesaid, who had carnal knowledge the first time in or about the month of May last in the dwelling house of the late Mr Wachter in Chelsea aforesaid, and several times after in the said house, where this examinant lived fellow servants with the said John Thompson. And this examinant further saith that the said John Thompson is the true and only father of the said child. And further saith not. Honor Harris. Sworn at Chelsea, 15 Mar. 1739/40, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

82. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Charles Rider, gardener, aged about 40 years, born at Battersea in the county of Surrey, upon oath saith that about 27 years since he, this examinant, became a servant hired by the year to Robert Peek, a baker of Battersea aforesaid, with whom he continued and served one year and upwards, and received for the said time of his said master at the rate of £5 a year wages, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And saith that since he quitted the said service of Mr Peek [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) to gain a settlement. And further saith that about seventeen years ago he, this examinant, was married to Mary, his present wife, at the parish of Battersea aforesaid, by whom he hath three children now living; vizt, Charles, aged about 14 years, William, aged about 6 years, and Anne, aged about 4 years. Charles Rider. Sworn, 17 Mar. 1739/40, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. [See 49, 65, 230, 243].

83. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. James Mackall of the parish of St Giles in the Fields in the county of Middlesex, leather clog maker, upon oath saith that Mary Mackall, an infant, aged about 6 months, the daughter of David Mackall by Sarah Mackall his late wife, was born in Plumtree Court in the parish of St Andrews Holborn Below the Bars, London. And saith that the said David Mackall, the father of the said child, before marriage, lived a servant hired by the year to one Mr Archer of the said parish of St Andrew Holborn Above the Bars for about the space of seven years. And also saith that the said David Mackall (who is the brother of this examinant) is gone to sea and left his said child unprovided for. James Mackall. Sworn, 4 July 1740, before us, Peter Elers, Thomas de Veil. Passed to St Andrew Holborn Above the Bars.

84. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Mary White, widow, aged about 47 years, upon oath saith that about 25 years since she, this examinant, was married to her late husband (Thomas White, who has been dead about three years) at Bath in Somerset. By whom she hath had two children, one is living, being a daughter & married. And saith that her husband was bound apprentice by the parish officers of Lewis in Sussex to one William Danks of the parish of St John at Wapping in the said county of Middlesex, anchorsmith. With whom he continued and served ten years. And further saith that since the time her said husband served the said William Danks as aforesaid, he has not done any act or thing (to the best of this examinant's knowledge) to gain a settlement elsewhere. Mary White. Sworn, 18 Aug. 1740, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. Passed to St John at Wapping.

85. [n.p] Middlesex, to wit. John Littlefoot, gardener, aged about 40 years, born at Willey in Shropshire, upon oath saith that about eleven years since this examinant left the service of one Mr [blank] Pace who keeps livery stables at the sign of the Green Man in Coleman Street, being in the parish of St Stephen Coleman Street, London. Where he continued and served for the space of about ten years in the station of a horse keeper, and received of his master for the said time his full wages, at the rate of £2 10s. a year, meat, drink and lodging. And saith that about nine years ago he married Mary, his late wife, at the parish church of St George Hanover Square in the said county, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, John, aged about 8 years, and Anne, aged about 5 years. And also saith that since he quitted the service of the said Mr Pace [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 settlement elsewhere. And this examinant further saith that being afflicted with the rheumatism in one of his hands [he] is not able to work to maintain and support his said family. John Littlefoot, his mark. Sworn, 22 Sept. 1740, Peter Elers, Thomas de Veil. Passed to the parish of St Stephen Coleman Street, London. [See 244].

86. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Richard Boshur, husbandman, aged about 53 years, born at Cholsey near Abingdon in Berkshire, upon oath saith that about 26 years ago he quitted the service of one Mrs Onslow who then lived in a house of Mr William Burchett's at Little Chelsea, being in the parish of Chelsea in the said county, with whom he continued and served in the station of a coachman for the space of two years. And [he] received his wages for the said time at the rate of £6 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And saith that about a quarter of a year after he quitted the said service he married Fruzan, his present wife, in the liberty of the Fleet, by whom he hath one daughter living named Jenny, aged about 16 years. And further saith that since the time of his quitting the said service of Mrs Onslow, [he] has not rented a house of £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. Richard Boshur [his mark]. Sworn, 29 Sept. 1740, before us, Peter Elers, James Cardonnel. A certificate granted the parish of Dorking [in] the county of Surrey.

87. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Robert Richardson, fisherman, aged about 36 years, borne at Lambeth in the county of Surrey, upon oath saith that about seventeen years ago he, this examinant, was bound apprentice for seven years to one James Searing of Chelsea in the said county, fisherman (who was at the same time, as this examinant hath heard, a certificate man from the parish of Chiswick in the said county). With whom he continued and served his full term of apprenticeship. And saith that about six years ago he was married to Judith, his present wife, in the liberty of the Fleet, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, Robert, aged about 5 years, and James, an infant, aged about 15 months. And further saith that since the time of his birth 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) to gain a settlement. Robert Richmond, his mark. Sworn, 3 Nov. 1740, before us, Peter Elers, William Morice.

88. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Mary Kimberly, single woman, aged about 40 years, born at Kensington in the said county, upon oath saith that she, this examinant, about seventeen years ago became a servant hired by the year to one Mr Francis Sawle, a woollen draper in the Strand (then in the parish of St Mary Savoy, and now the parish of St Mary Le Strand in the said county of Middlesex). With whom she continued and served for the space of seven years, and received her full wages for the said time; vizt, the first two years at £4 per annum, and the remainder of the time at the rate of £5 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And saith that since the time of quitting the said service of Mr Sawle [she] has not lived a year in service, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of her, this examinant's, knowledge) to gain settlement elsewhere. Mary Kimberly, her mark. Sworn, 17 Nov. 1740, before us, Peter Elers, William Morice.

89. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Mary Drew, single woman, taken upon oath before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex, to wit. Who saith that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children, which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Cord, gentleman, who is a housekeeper in Church Lane in Chelsea in the said county (where this examinant lived a hired servant). Who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the month of July last in the dwelling house of the said John Cord in Church Lane aforesaid, and several times after in the said house. And this examinant further saith that the said John Cord is the true and only father of the said child or children (when born). And further saith not. Mary Drew. Sworn at Chelsea, 12 Dec. 1740, before me, Peter Elers.

90. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Joseph Northest, weaver, aged about 63 years, born at the Castle of Ballikilcaven in Queen's county in Ireland, upon oath saith that he, this examinant, was bound an apprentice to his father, William Northest, weaver, who then lived at a place called Dardistown about 24 miles from Dublin in Ireland, with whom he continued and served his full time. And that soon after he had served his apprenticeship he married Rebecca, his first wife, in Ireland, and that about 5 years after such his marriage he entered himself for a soldier and is now an in pensioner of Chelsea College. And this examinant also saith that his said father (as he hath heard and been informed) was born in the town of Stafford in Staffordshire and that he served his apprenticeship there. And this examinant also saith that about nine years since he married Catherine, his present wife, at the Fleet, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, John, aged about 4 years, and Edith, aged about 2 years. And that at the time he married his said last wife he was a hired servant to one Captain Trigeer, who then was a housekeeper in Chelsea where he lived upwards of a year and received £4 per annum wages. And this examinant further saith that since the time of serving his apprenticeship as aforesaid [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. Joseph Northest, his mark. Sworn, 29 Dec. 1740, before me, Peter Elers.

91. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Mary Obrian, widow, aged about 40 years, upon oath saith that about eight years ago she, this examinant, was married at Ludgate Church, London, to her late husband, Thomas Obrian, by whom she hath had two children, both living; vizt, Jenny, aged near 7 years, and Elizabeth, aged about 4 years. And saith that her said late husband, about four years since, rented a house of £11 a year at Walham Green in the parish of Fulham in the county of Middlesex where he followed his trade of a smith and farrier for the space of five years and upwards, and paid all parochial taxes there. And also saith that since the time of his quitting the said house she, this examinant (nor her said late husband), 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. Mary Obrian. Sworn, 29 Jan. 1740/1, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. Passed to Fulham.

92. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Mordecai Moulslow (by trade a tobacconist), aged about 41 years, born near Portsmouth in Hampshire, upon oath saith that about 24 years ago he, this examinant, was bound an apprentice to one Mr John Sparkes of the parish St Giles Crippegate, London, with whom he continued and served seven years. And saith that since the time of serving 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 his knowledge) to gain a settlement. And this examinant also saith that about fourteen years ago he married Mary, his second wife (deceased), in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom he hath one child living named Henry, aged about 8 years. And further saith that about six years ago he married Anne, his present wife, in the liberty of the Fleet aforesaid. By whom he hath also two children; vizt, Jane, aged about 5 years, and Hammand, aged about 2 years. And saith that he being afflicted with sickness and almost blind is not capable to work to support his said family, who are also in a deplorable condition. Mordecai Moulslow. Sworn, 29 Jan. 1740/1, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. Passed to St Giles Cripplegate, London.

93. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. John Drew, sawyer, aged about 59 years, born at Westerham in the county of Kent, upon oath saith that about 22 years ago he, this examinant, married Elizabeth, his last wife, by whom he hath one child living named Jane, aged about 10 years. And saith that about 37 years ago, which was before he married his first wife, he lived a servant hired by the year with William Hooker of the parish of Greenwich in the said county of Kent, esquire, in the station of groom. With whom he continued and served one whole year and upwards, and received of his said master his full wages for this said time at the rate of 50s. a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And saith that his said master kept another house in Boswell Court in the parish of St Clement Danes in the said county of Middlesex. But [he] was discharged by his said master at Greenwich aforesaid, where he, this examinant, had resided more than the last 40 days. And this examinant also saith that since he quitted the said service of Mr Hooker's, he has not lived a hired servant, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement. John Drew, his mark. Sworn, 10 Feb. 1740/1, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. Passed to Greenwich in Kent.

94. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Richard Boozes, labourer, aged about 40 years, born in the parish of Epping in the county of Essex, upon oath saith that he lived in the said parish of Epping for 20 years and upwards, and that from the time of his birth and quitting the said parish, 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) to gain a settlement. Richard Boozes. Sworn, 30 Jan. 1740/1, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann. Passed to Epping.

95. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Mary Milliard, the widow of William Milliard, waterman, deceased, maketh oath that in and about the month of Sept. 1738 she, this examinant, and two children were removed by an order under the hands and seals of two of His Majesty's justices of the peace for the said county of Middlesex from the parish of Chelsea to the parish of Ealing in the said county as the place of their legal settlement. And saith that since the time of such her removal she 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) to gain a settlement elsewhere. And this examinant also saith that she hath one child by her said late husband now living, named Maria Milliard, aged about 1 year. Mary Milliard, her mark. Sworn, 16 Mar. 1740/1, before us, Peter Elers. [See 61].

96. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Mary Steward, single woman, taken upon oath before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex sessions. Who saith that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Pink, gardener to the Right Honourable the Lady King, at Ockham Mill in the county of Surrey (where this examinant lived a hired servant). Who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the month of September last in the tool house in the garden belonging to the said Lady King at Ockham aforesaid, and several times after in other places. And this examinant further saith that the said John Pink is the true and only father of the said child or children (when borne). And further saith not. Mary Steward, her mark. Sworn at Chelsea, 17 Mar. 1740/1, before me, Peter Elers.

97. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Anne Everson, widow, aged about 55 years, born at a place called West Felton in Shropshire, upon oath saith that about 37 years ago she, this examinant, was married to her late husband, Joseph Everson, gardener, deceased, at one of the parish churches in the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire aforesaid (but cannot remember the name of the church). And saith that she hath heard that her said late husband served his apprenticeship to his uncle, Samuel Chapman, at a place called (as she, this examinant, says) Abby-Foregate in Shrewsbury aforesaid, but does not know neither the name of the parish Abby-Foregate is in. And also saith that since the time of her being married, he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing whereby to gain a settlement. Only says that she hath lived in Chelsea as a inmate for upwards of 30 years. [Blank]. Sworn, [blank], before me, [blank].

98. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Isaac Webb, by trade a basket maker, aged about 33 years, born at Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex, upon oath saith that on or about 9 July 1722 he, this examinant, was bound an apprentice to one Samuel Field of the parish of Kensington in the said county, basket maker, for the term of seven years, with whom he continued and served his full time of apprenticeship. And saith that about six years ago he, this examinant, was married to Mary, his present wife, at the parish church of St Martin in the Fields in the said county, by whom he hath two children living; vizt, John, aged about 5 years, and Elizabeth, an infant, aged about 7 weeks. And saith 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 other act or thing (to the best of his, this examinant's, knowledge) whereby to gain a settlement elsewhere. And further saith that his said wife being now lunatic, [he] is not capable to support his said family without relief. Isaac Webb. Sworn, 28 May 1741, before us, Peter Elers, George Howard. Passed to Kensington.

99. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Edward Crook of the parish of Harlington in the county of Middlesex aforesaid, husbandman, maketh oath that his brother-in-law, John Jennings, lately deceased, was a housekeeper in the parish of Dinton in the county of Buckinghamshire for about the space of 20 years, and was by trade a weaver and shopkeeper in the said town. And saith that since the said John Jennings lived a housekeeper at Dinton aforesaid he, this examinant, does not know that he ever rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any other act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) whereby to gain a settlement. And this examinant also saith that the said John Jennings has left two children by Sarah, his late wife; vizt, Mary Jennings, aged about 10 years, and Christopher Jennings, aged about 6 years. Both born in the said parish of Dinton in the county of Buckinghamshire. And further saith not. Edward Crook, his mark. Sworn, 9 June 1741, before us, Peter Elers, Robert Mann.

100. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. Sarah Gilbert, widow, aged about 30 years, born at Islington in the said county, upon oath saith that about eleven years since she, this examinant, was married to her late husband, William Gilbert, at the parish church of St George, Southwark. And that she hath four children by her said late husband living; vizt, William and Susannah (twins), aged about 10 years, Sarah, aged about 4 years, and John James Gilbert, an infant, aged about 5 months. And this examinant also saith that her said late husband was born (as she hath been informed) in the parish of Fulham in the said county and that the father of this examinant's husband was a housekeeper in the said parish of Fulham for many years and paid parochial taxes there. And further saith that her said late husband followed the business of brick making and sometimes a chairman, but does not know that he ever rented a house for £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any other act or thing (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a settlement since the time of his birth. The mark of Sarah Gilbert. Sworn, 27 June 1741, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Vincent.