Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 141-160

Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 141-160

141. [n.p.] Middlesex. Martha Vandan, aged about 36 years, the widow of Charles Vandan, deceased, upon oath says that she was married to her said late husband at the parish church of St Ann Blackfriars, London, on 22 Aug. 1733. By whom she hath had four children, who are all living; vizt, Anne, aged about 10 years, Sarah, aged about 8 years, James, aged about 6 years, and Elizabeth, aged about 2 years. And says that her said late husband belonged to the army when she was married to him and was a trumpeter in Sir James Chamberlaine's Troop of Horse Guards (blue) when he died, which was in Hanau in High-Germany by an accident he received from his horse at the late battle of Dettingen. And this examinant says that her said late husband was born and baptised in the parish of St James in Westminster in the said county of Middlesex (as appears by a certificate from the register book of the said parish). And also says that from the time she was married to her said late husband he never 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. Martha Vandan. Sworn, 10 Jan. 1744/5, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to St James, Westminster.

142. [n.p.] Middlesex. Easter Graham, widow, aged about 75 years, born at Thame in Oxfordshire, upon oath saith that about 37 years ago she was married to her first husband (Abraham Hazard) at the parish church of Ealing in the county of Middlesex, who was an out pensioner of Chelsea College, and that he never did rent a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act (to her knowledge) to gain a settlement. And this examinant also says that in the year 1732 she was married to her last husband (Thomas Graham) in the liberty of the Fleet, London, and that he was a Scotsman and an in pensioner of Chelsea College. And says that she does not know that he ever rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing since he came from Scotland to gain a settlement. And this examinant also says that before she was married to her said first husband (some short time) she lived a servant hired by the year to Charles Batemen esq. at his seat called Castle Bear in the parish of Ealing in the said county of Middlesex, with whom she continued and served for one year and a quarter and received her full wages for her said time at the rate of £3 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And further says that since the time of last living with Mr Bateman as aforesaid [she] has not done any act, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. Easter Graham, her mark. Sworn, 10 Jan. 1744/5, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to the parish of Ealing.

143. [n.p.] Middlesex. Phillarista Keen, aged about nineteen years, the wife of George Keen, shoemaker, upon oath says that about two years and a quarter ago she, this examinant, was married to her said husband in the liberty of the Fleet, London, and that he hath lately absconded and left her big with child unprovided for. And says that she hath frequently heard her said husband say that he was born in Earls Court in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the county of Middlesex, and was bound out apprentice by the said parish to one John Lewin, shoemaker, who then lived in Red Cross Court in Long Acre in the parish of St Martin in the Fields aforesaid. And also says that her said husband since his marriage had not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parish taxes; or done any act (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a settlement. The mark of Phillarista Keen. Sworn, 22 Jan. 1744/5, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to the parish of St Martin in the Fields. St Martins appealed to the order and she was again removed to St Giles in the Fields.

144. [n.p.] Middlesex. Sarah Brown, widow, aged about 60 years, born at Crookham in Hampshire, upon oath says that about fourteen years since she, this examinant, was married to her late husband, Denis Brown, deceased, in the liberty of the Fleet, London. And says that he was born in Ireland and does not know that he ever gained a settlement in England. And also says that before she was married to her said late husband this examinant lived a servant hired by the year to one Mr Thomas Walton of the Neat Houses, gardener, which is in the parish of St George Hanover Square in the said county of Middlesex, with whom she continued and served two years and upwards and received her full wages for the said time at the rate of £4 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. The mark of Sarah Brown. Sworn, 22 Jan. 1744/5, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to St George Hanover Square.

145. [n.p.] Middlesex. Elizabeth Wilkinson, aged about 65 years, the widow of Richard Wilkinson, deceased, upon oath says that about 37 years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said late husband in Gray's Inn Chapel (who died about seven years after). And says that she cannot give any account of any settlement that her said husband ever gained either before or after marriage. And further says that about 23 years ago she, this examinant, became a servant hired by the year to one Crew Offley esq., who at that time lived in St James Place, which is in the parish of St James in the liberty of Westminster in the county of Middlesex, where she continued and served about the space of ten years (as nurse), and received her full wages for the said time (meat, drink, washing and lodging) at the rate of £20 per annum. Elizabeth Wilkinson. Sworn, 22 Jan. 1744/5, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to St James, Westminster.

146. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Elizabeth Inwood, single woman, taken before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . (upon oath). Who saith that a week before Christmas day last, was twelve month, she, this examinant, was delivered of a female bastard child in a little cottage in Chelsea Park in Middlesex inhabited by one Thomas Pim (who is baptised and named Elizabeth). And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one Francis Newton [blank] who lives at Wandsworth in the county of Surrey, who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the month of March last, was twelve month, in an open field near Battersea in Surrey aforesaid and once in the room where this examinant lodged at Thomas Pim's aforesaid. And several times in the open fields. And says that the said Francis Newton is the true father of the said female bastard child. And further says not. The mark of Elizabeth Inwood. Sworn, 22 Jan. 1744/5, before me, Peter Elers. [See 198].

147. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Susan Street, single woman, taken upon oath before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex. Who saith that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Sprawley now at Wandsworth in the county of Surrey, shoemaker. Who had carnal knowledge of her body the first [time] about the latter end of July last in this examinant's mother's house at Wandsworth aforesaid, and several times after in the said house and other places. And this examinant saith that the said John Sprawley is the true father of the said bastard child or children (when born). And further saith not. The mark of Susan Street. Sworn at Chelsea, [blank] Feb. 1744/5, before me, Peter Elers. [See 157].

148. [n.p.] Middlesex. Frances Capel, single woman, aged about 47 years, born in Chelsea College, upon oath says that (to the best of her knowledge) about Michaelmas 1740 she became a servant hired by the year to Thomas Chester esq., Member of Parliament at his seat at Knowles, which is in the parish of Almondsbury in the county of Gloucester with whom she continued and served a year and six weeks (except two weeks that she was away on account of sickness). But [she] received her full wages for the said time at the rate of £10 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that since the time of her living with the said Thomas Chester esq. she has not lived a year in any place as a hired servant, or done any act or thing (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. [Blank]. Sworn at Chelsea, [blank] Feb. 1744/45, before me, [blank].

149. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Mary Snaggs, single woman, taken before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex. Who says that on 8 Jan. last she, this examinant, was delivered of a male bastard child (baptised and named William) in the dwelling house of Mr Stephen Fisher in Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex. And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one Mr Joseph Collett of the parish of St Clement Danes in the said county of Middlesex, who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the month of April last at a bagnio in Spring Garden near Charing Cross. And several times after in the said bagnio and other places. And this examinant says that the said Joseph Collett is the true father of the said male bastard child. And further says not. Mary Snaggs. Sworn at Chelsea, 11 Feb. 1744/5, before me, Peter Elers.

150. [n.p.] Middlesex, to wit. The examination of James Clarke taken on oath 19 Mar. 1744. This examinant, aged about 59 years, on his oath saith that in the year 1707 he was hired by the year to one Francis Clarke, a farmer, who then lived at Nottinghill in the parish of Kensington in the said county of Middlesex. With whom he continued and served for two years and upwards, and received his full wages for the said time of his said master at the rate of £7 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And saith that from the time of his living with Mr Clarke as aforesaid he has not been a hired servant a year in any place, or rented a house of £10 a year, or done any other act or thing (to the best of his knowledge) to gain a settlement. And this examinant further saith that in the year 1717 he was married to Elizabeth, his wife, in the liberty of the Fleet by whom he has a daughter named Anne, aged about 24 years (if living). James Clarke. Sworn the day and year above written, Peter Elers, Henry Withers. Passed to Kensington.

151. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Catherine Watson, single woman, taken before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex. The examinant, on her oath, saith that on Monday last, being the first of this instant April, she was delivered of a male bastard child in the apartment in Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex, belonging to her father (which is baptised and named Alexander). And was unlawfully begotten on her body by Mr Alexander Reid of Chelsea aforesaid, surgeon, who had carnal knowledge of her body on a Sunday in the month of August last, in the said apartment of her father's (where she now lies in). And this examinant saith that the said Alexander Reid is the true father of the said male bastard child. And further saith not. The mark of Catherine Watson. Sworn at Chelsea, 10 Apr. 1745, before me, Peter Elers.

152. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Anne Snelson, single woman, taken before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex. The examinant on her oath saith that she is pregnant of a bastard child or children which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one George Dolly, a blacksmith now living with Mr [blank] Galland, blacksmith, near Grosvenor Square, who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the month of November last in the house of Mr Richard Haywood in the parish of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex aforesaid, and several times after in the said house and other places. And this examinant further saith that the said George Dolly is the true father of the said bastard child or children (when born). And further saith not. Ann Snelson. Sworn at Chelsea, 16 May 1745, before me, Peter Elers.

153. [n.p.] Middlesex. Isabella James, single woman, aged about 22 years, born at Kingston upon Thames in the county of Surrey, upon oath saith that her late father, Thomas James, deceased, was bound an apprentice for seven years to one John Wilkinson of the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the county of Middlesex, cordwainer (as appears by his indenture of apprenticeship bearing the date of 10 Mar. 1713). And saith that her said father, to the best of her knowledge, never rented a house of £10 a year, or did any act or thing to gain a settlement since the time of serving his apprenticeship as aforesaid. And this examinant further saith that from the time of her living with her said father she has not been a hired servant a year in any place, or done any act or thing, whereby to gain a legal settlement. The mark of Isabella James. Sworn, 13 May 1745, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Villiers. Passed to St Martin in the Fields.

154. [n.p.] The examination of Anne Smith, the wife of Leonard Smith, taken upon oath 11 June 1745. Middlesex, to wit. This examinant on her oath saith that Mary Smith, single woman, aged about 21 years lived with her about eight or nine years ago in the parish of St Paul Covent Garden in the liberty of Westminster and county of Middlesex, a servant hired by the year for the space of two years and upwards. And received of this examinant her full wages for the said time at the rate of £3 for the first year and £4 for the second year (to the best of her knowledge). And this examinant verily believes that the said Mary Smith has not been a hired servant a year in any other place since she left her service as aforesaid, but has followed some business in Covent Garden Market which this examinant turned over to her. The mark of Anne Smith. Taken and sworn the day and year above written, before Henry Villiers, Peter Elers esqs . . . Removed to the parish of St Paul Covent Garden.

155. [n.p.] Middlesex. Elizabeth Gardner, single woman, aged about 22 years, upon oath says that near a year since she, this examinant, quitted the service of Mrs Norton at Cecil Street Coffee House in the Strand in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the county of Middlesex. With whom she lived a servant hired by the year for the space of three years, and received her full wages for the said time at the rate of £3 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that since the time of quitting the said service of Mrs Norton's, she has not rented a house of £10 per annum, or done any act or thing (to the best of [her] knowledge) to gain a settlement. Elizabeth Gardner. Sworn, 29 June 1745, before us, Peter Elers, Peregrine Furye. Removed to St Martin in the Fields.

156. [n.p.] Middlesex. Edward Holland, aged about 71 years, born at Prestbury in the county of Cheshire, upon oath says that when he was about the age of 30 years, he entered himself a soldier in the First troop of Horse Guards and continued in the army till about twelve years since he was discharged. And that about four years ago he was admitted an in pensioner of Chelsea College, where he now belongs. And this examinant says that upwards of twenty years ago he rented a public house upon lease (known by the sign of the Red Lyon) in King Street in the parish of St Ann, Westminster, in the said county of Middlesex, for the space of five years at the yearly rent of £14, and paid all parochial taxes for the same. And says that since the time of renting the said house, he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to his knowledge) to gain a settlement. And this examinant also says that about 50 years since he was married to Christiana, his present wife, and that he hath a daughter by his said wife (named Elizabeth Holland), aged about 27 years, who is not capable of service or maintaining herself, she being afflicted with convulsions and at intervals out of her reason. And this examinant further says that he having no other dependence than the said College, is not able to support his said wife and daughter. [Blank]. Sworn, [blank] 1745, before us, [blank]. Removed to the parish of St Ann, Westminster.

157. [n.p.] The examination of Susan Street, single woman, taken upon oath before us, Peregrine Furye and Peter Elers esqs . . . Middlesex. Who saith that on 14 May last she, this examinant, was delivered of a female bastard child (baptised and named Mary Sprawley) in the workhouse in the parish of Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex. And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Sprawley of Wandsworth in the county of Surrey, shoemaker, who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time about the latter end of July last, was twelve month, in the examinant's mother's house at Wandsworth aforesaid, and several times after in the said house and other places. And this examinant saith that the said John Sprawley is the true father of the said female bastard child. And further saith not. The mark of Susan Street. Sworn at Chelsea, 8 July 1745, before us, Peter Elers, Peregrine Furye. [See 147].

158. [n.p.] The examination of Margaret Lumbey, single woman, taken upon oath before us, Peregrine Furye and Peter Elers, esqs . . . Middlesex. Who says that on 4 Sept. 1742 she, this examinant, was delivered of a female bastard child (baptised and named Anne Johnson, alias Lumbey) in the dwelling house of Mr Moody in Pipemaker's Alley in Bedford Bury, which is in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the county of Middlesex. And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one Daniel Brown now of Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex, lighterman. And that the said Daniel Brown is the true father of the said female bastard child. And further says not. Margaret Lumbey. Sworn, 16 July 1745, before us, Peter Elers, Peregrine Furye.

159. [n.p.] Middlesex. Sarah Robinson, single woman, aged about 25 years, born at Southampton in Hampshire, upon oath says that about three years ago she, this examinant, lived a servant hired by the year with one Mr Edward Jones, a Plasterer, in Sandwich Court in Devonshire Street, which is in the parish of St Botolph without Bishopsgate, London, with whom she continued and served a year and five months, and received her full wages of her said master (Edward Jones) for the said time, meat, drink, washing and lodging, at the rate of £4 a year. And says that since the time of her quitting the said service of Mr Jones she, this examinant, has not lived a hired servant a year in any place, or rented a house of £10 per annum, or done any act or thing, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. Sarah Robinson. Sworn, 7 Oct. 1745, before us, Peter Elers, William Morice.

160. [n.p.] The voluntary examination of Mary Morrison, single woman, taken before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Middlesex. This examinant on her oath says that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children, which was unlawfully begotten on her body by one William Radford (late a soldier in Lord Beauclerk's Regiment of Foot, but now admitted an out pensioner of the Royal Hospital in the parish of Chelsea). Who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time at a house at Brussels in Flanders, about eight months since, and several times after in other places. And this examinant further says that the said William Radford is the true father of the said bastard child or children (when born). And further says not. The mark of Mary Morrison. Sworn at Chelsea, 22 Oct. 1745, before me, Peter Elers.