Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 181-200

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

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'Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 181-200', in Chelsea Settlement and Bastardy Examinations, 1733-1766, (London, 1999) pp. 57-63. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol33/pp57-63 [accessed 26 April 2024]

Examinations, 1733-1750: nos 181-200

181. b [n.p.] Middlesex. Elizabeth Rumney, aged about 28 years, the wife of Valentine Rumney, upon oath says that in June 1740 she, this examinant, was married to her said husband in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom she has a son living, named Valentine, who is aged about 4 years. And this examinant says that her said husband before her marriage with him lived a servant hired by the year with one Councillor White about ten years ago in Took's Court, which is in the parish of St Andrews Holborn above the Bars in the county of Middlesex, with whom he continued and served upwards of seven years. And this examinant has heard and believes her said husband received his full wages for the said time of his said master at the rate of £6 per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And this examinant further says that her said husband since his living with Councillor White aforesaid 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. And also says that her husband (as she is informed) is gone to Ireland, and being with child and near her time, [she] is not capable to support herself without relief. Elizabeth Rumney. Sworn, 7 Sept. 1747, before us, Peter Elers, Thomas Burdus. Passed to the parish of St Andrews Holborn above the Bars.

182. [n.p.] Middlesex. Barbara Frampton, single woman, aged about 30 years, upon oath says that she lived a servant hired by the year with Mr Robert Arther who keeps White's Chocolate House in the parish of St James in the liberty of Westminster in the county of Middlesex, with whom she continued and served upwards of a year and received £5 a year wages of her said master, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that since she, this examinant, quitted the said service of Mr Arther (which was about two years ago), [she] has not lived a year in service, or done any act or thing (to the best of her knowledge) to gain a settlement. Barbara Frampton. Sworn, 15 Dec. 1747, before us, Peter Elers, Thomas Burdus. Passed to St James Westminster. [See 117].

183. [n.p.] Middlesex. Mary Groom, aged about 38 years (the wife of Thomas Groom), upon oath says that she, this examinant, was married about eleven years since to her said husband at the parish church of St Mary Le Strand in the liberty of Westminster in the county of Middlesex. By whom this examinant has five children living; vizt, Elizabeth, aged about 9 years, Mary, aged 7 years, William, aged about 5 years, Thomas, aged near 3 years, and Jonas, an infant, aged a year and upwards. And says that her said husband's last place of service before her marriage was with the late Mr Kingsmil Eyre, secretary of Chelsea Hospital, with whom he lived a hired servant a year and upwards, and received his full wages of his said master for the said time at the rate of £8 8s. a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And this examinant also says that her said husband since living a servant with the late Mr Eyre as aforesaid 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 knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. And further says that her said husband, being dangerously ill of a pleurisy, is not capable of providing for his said family without relief from the parish. [Blank].

184. [n.p.] Middlesex. Anne Jordan, aged about 48 years, the widow of the late William Jordan, tailor, deceased, upon oath says that about sixteen years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said late husband at the parish church of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex, by whom this examinant has three children living; vizt, Anne, aged about 15 years (who is now in service), Alexander, aged about 13 years, and George, who is of the age of 11 years and upwards. And this examinant says that from the year 1734 to 1737 her said late husband rented a house in Swallow Street which is in the parish of St James, Westminster, where they paid £26 a year rent and parochial taxes, as appears by the overseers of the poor's receipts of the said parish. And says that after they quitted the said house her said late husband rented a house in Princess Street in the parish of St Ann, Westminster at the yearly rent of £16, where they continued about three years and half, and paid parochial taxes for the same. And says that when they quitted the last mentioned house her said late husband rented a house in Little Marlborough Street at the yearly rent of £18 (which is in the parish of St James, Westminster, aforesaid) and continued in the said last mentioned house for the space of three years and upwards, but was excused paying any parochial taxes. And this examinant further says that since her said late husband quitted the said house in Little Marlborough Street as aforesaid her said late husband 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 knowledge) whereby to gain a legal settlement. And this examinant also says that her said late husband, having been dead about three months, [she] is not capable of providing for herself and children with out some relief of the parish. The mark of Anne Jordan. Sworn, 8 Feb. 1747/8, before us, Peter Elers, Luke Robinson. Passed to St James, Westminster.

185. [n.p.] Middlesex. Sarah Curtis, aged about 53 years, the widow of Edward Curtis, bricklayer, deceased, upon oath says that she, this examinant was married to her said late husband about 25 years ago in the liberty of the Fleet, London. By whom she had four children, one of which is living, named Mary, aged about 18 years (who is provided for). And this examinant says that her said husband was bound an apprentice to one Mr Kilcott of the parish of Kensington in the county of Middlesex, bricklayer, with whom he served his full term of apprenticeship. And this examinant also says that her said late husband since the time of his serving his said apprenticeship has not rented a house of £10 a year, or done any act, to her knowledge, to gain a settlement. The mark of Sarah Curtis. Sworn, 9 Feb. 1747/8, before us, Peter Elers, Luke Robinson. Passed to Kensington.

186. [n.p.] Middlesex. Martha Winter, aged about 33 years, the wife of Richard Winter, distiller, upon oath says that about fifteen years ago she was married to her said husband at the parish church of St Katherine near the Tower, London, by whom she had five children (all dead). And says that her said husband being reduced but to mean and low circumstances was forced to enter himself as a marine and has been abroad about eight years. And further says that the last house her said husband lived in before he absconded and left this examinant was in Carnaby Street in the parish of St James, Westminster in the said county of Middlesex, at the yearly rent of £20, where he continued about two years and paid parochial taxes for the same. The mark of Martha Winter. Sworn, 19 February 1747/8, before us, Peter Elers, Thomas Burdus. Passed to St James, Westminster.

187. [n.p.] Middlesex. Mary Lunn, aged about 40 years, the wife of Daniel Lunn, wine cooper, upon oath says that she, this examinant, about seven years ago was married to her said husband at the parish church of Lambeth in the county of Surrey, by whom she hath had three children, one of which is living, named Mary, an infant who is of the age of 14 months. And says that her said husband was bound an apprentice to one Mr Bodicoate of Cruched Friars in the parish of St Katherine Coleman, London, wine cooper, with whom he continued and served his full term of apprenticeship. And says that her said husband since the time of serving Mr Bodicoate as aforesaid 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 knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. And further says that her said husband being gone for Barbados she, this examinant, is not capable to provide for herself and child without relief. And [she] is big with child and near her time. Mary Lunn. Sworn, 7 Mar. 1747/8, before us. Peter Elers, Luke Robinson. Passed to St Katherine Coleman.

188. [n.p.] Middlesex. Melon Thompson, widow, aged about 76 years, upon oath says that about 60 years ago she was married to her first husband, John Banfield, at the church at Stepney in the county of Middlesex, who was a foreigner and came over with King William and died in about fifteen months after she was married to him. And says that after her said first husband died she, this examinant, rented a house for three years in Red Lyon Street in the parish of St Mary at Whitechapel in the said county of Middlesex, and paid £10 a year rent for the same and all parochial taxes. And also says that about ten years ago she was married to one James Thompson, who was an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital and had been always a soldier from the time he was capable of serving in the army. And says that he was a Scotsman and never rented 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. Melon Thompson, her mark. Sworn, 26 Apr. 1748, before us, Peter Elers, J. Poulson. Passed to St Mary Whitechapel.

189. [n.p.] Middlesex. Rebecca Clements, single woman, aged about 21 years, upon oath says that she, this examinant, about three years ago lived a servant hired by the year with Mr Andrew Banton, parish clerk of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex, with whom she continued and served for the space of two years and received her full wages of the said Mr Banton at the rate of 50s. per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that since the time of living with Mr Banton as aforesaid she, this examinant, has not been a hired servant a year in any place, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. Rebecca Clement, her mark. Sworn, 29 Apr. 1748, before me, Peter Elers. Passed from Wandsworth in Surrey. [See 190].

190. [n.p.] Middlesex. The voluntary examination of Rebecca Clements, single woman, taken upon oath before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . This examinant on her oath says that she is pregnant of a bastard child or children which was or were unlawfully begotten on her body by one Mr John Coustos, a jeweller, who now lodges at a house in Tibals Row near Red Lyon Square, London. And says that he had carnal knowledge of her body the first time about two years ago at the Angel Inn behind St Clements Church, London, and several times after at the said inn. And particularly about eight months ago at a house known by the sign of the Cheshire Cheese near the creek adjoining to Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex. And this examinant further says that the said John Coustos is the true father of the said child or children (when born). And further saith not. The mark of Rebecca Clements. Sworn, 29 Apr. 1748, before me, Peter Elers. [See 189].

191. [n.p.] Middlesex. The voluntary examination of Elizabeth Edwards, widow, taken upon oath before us Luke Robinson and Peter Elers, esqs . . . Who says that on 11 Apr. last past she, this examinant, was delivered of a male bastard child in the workhouse of the parish of Chelsea in the said county of Middlesex (which is baptised and named Thomas). And was unlawfully begotten on her body by one Richard Jones of Chelsea, waterman, who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time at the dwelling house of the said Richard Jones at Chelsea aforesaid about three years ago. At which time this examinant nursed his wife in her lying-in. And this examinant says frequently afterwards in the said house and other places, and particularly at an apartment of her sister Mary's in Chelsea Park, until she proved with child by him, and several times after. And this examinant also says that the said Richard Jones is the true father of the said child. And further says not. The mark of Elizabeth Edwards. Sworn, 21 May 1748, before us, Peter Elers, Luke Robinson.

192. [n.p.] Middlesex. Mary Poole, single woman, aged about 46 years, born at Weston in Staffordshire, upon oath says that about 25 years ago she, this examinant, lived a servant hired by the year with one James Lesley late of Chelsea, gardener, with whom she continued and served two years and received of her said master her full wages [for] the said time, at the rate of £4 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that since she left the said service of Mr Lesley she, this examinant, has not lived a whole year in any service, or done any act or thing, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. The mark of Mary Poole. Sworn, 21 May 1748, before us, Peter Elers.

193. [n.p.] Middlesex. Mary Mascall (widow of Charles Mascall, deceased), aged about 60 years, born in the parish of St Margaret, Westminster, upon oath says that about fifteen years ago she, this examinant, was married to her said late husband at the parish church of St Margaret, Westminster aforesaid. Says that her said late husband was an Irishman (as she always counted) and a captain in Chelsea Hospital. And [he] never rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to her knowledge) to gain a settlement since he came from Ireland. And this examinant says that her father (whose name was Edward Mascall) was a baker and lived in his own house in Millbank, which was then in the said parish of St Margaret, Westminster, with whom this examinant lived till she was 30 years of age. And says that the last place she lived in before she was married to her said husband was with one Mr Lock, a carpenter, in Channel Row in the parish of St Margaret, Westminster, aforesaid, and with whom she continued and served a year and upwards, and received her full wages at the rate of £6 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. Mary Mascall. Sworn, 2 Sept. 1748, before us. Peter Elers, J. Poulson. Passed to St Margaret, Westminster. St Margaret, Westminster, appealed and upon trial her settlement was found to be at Gillingham in Dorsetshire. Vide the examination of William Mascall two leaves further. [See 196, 315].

194. [n.p.] Middlesex. Elizabeth Shurkett, widow, aged about 30 years, upon oath says that about six years and half ago she, this examinant, lived a hired servant a year and upwards with one Mr John Hanover of Tuttle Fields in the parish of St Margaret in the liberty of Westminster in the county of Middlesex, cow keeper, and received her full wages of her said master for the said time at the rate of £3 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says, that about a half a year after she quitted the said service of Mr Hanover's she was married to her late husband, Christopher Shurkett, in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom she has two children living; vizt, Joseph, aged about 4 years, and Mary, about 2 years. And says that her said husband was an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital and an Irishman, and never gained a settlement (to this examinant's knowledge) since he came from Ireland, by renting a house, or paying parochial taxes. And this examinant further says that she having had a hurt in her back is not able to work to maintain herself and two children. The mark of Elizabeth Shurkett. Sworn, 2 Sept. 1748, before us, Peter Elers, J. Poulson.

195. [n.p.] Middlesex. John Chappel, aged about 65 years, born in Old White Lyon Street near the Seven Dials in the parish of St Giles in the Fields in the county of Middlesex, where his father (as he was informed) was a lodger, and that his father was only a labourer and worked for bricklayers and never was a housekeeper, as he ever heard. And this examinant says that in the year 1718 he was married to Margaret, his present wife, near Aberdeen in Scotland. And says that since the time of his birth as aforesaid 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 further says that he being but an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital is in low circumstances and not capable of supporting his said wife without relief. John Chappel. Sworn, 2 Sept. 1748, before us, Peter Elers, J. Poulson. [See 266].

196. [n.p.] Middlesex. William Mascall of Falmouth in the county of Cornwall, gentleman, upon oath says that his late uncle, Charles Mascall, was born at a place called Gillingham in Dorsetshire (as he has been credibly informed and verily believes). And says that from the time of such his birth he never knew or heard that his said uncle ever rented a house of £10 a year or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act or thing (to the best of this examinant's knowledge) to gain a settlement. But says that his said uncle was a trooper in the late Queen Ann's wars, and was afterwards an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, and was a captain there at the time of his death, which was about six month since. William Mascall. Sworn, 13 Oct. 1748, before us, Peter Elers, Francis Hale. [See 193, 315].

197. [n.p.] Middlesex. John Kimberly, basket maker, aged about 30 years, born at Eaton in Buckinghamshire, upon oath says that about seventeen years ago he, this examinant, was bound apprentice by a charitable gift belonging to Eton College to one John Pearless esq., of the parish of St George in the borough of Southwark in the county of Surrey, basket maker, for the term of seven years. With whom he continued and served his full term of apprenticeship and was made free of the Haberdashers' Company (of which his said master was a liveryman). And says that since which time of serving his apprenticeship as aforesaid he, this examinant, 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. John Kimberly. Sworn, 3 Feb. 1748/9, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to St George in the borough [of Southwark].

198. [n.p.] Middlesex. Elizabeth Inwood, single woman, aged about 40 years, upon oath says that about nine years ago she, this examinant, lived a servant hired by the year with Mr John Savage, vintner at the sign of Pontac, in Abchurch Lane in the parish of [St Mary] Abchurch in the city of London, with whom she continued and served in the station of a housemaid for the space of one whole year. And [she] received her full wages for the said time, which was £5 10s., meat, drink, washing and lodging. And further says that since the time of her quitting the said service of Mr Savage [she] has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act, to the best of her knowledge, to gain a settlement. Elizabeth Inwood, her mark. Sworn, 10 Feb. 1748/9, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to the parish of St Mary Abchurch. [See 146].

199. [n.p.] Middlesex. William Sexton, labourer, aged about 25 years, upon oath says that he was born (as he has been informed and verily believes) in the parish of Teddington in the county of Middlesex and that he was baptised and registered in the said parish. And says that since the time of his birth he, this examinant, has not rented a house of £10 a year, or been bound an apprentice, or been a yearly servant, or done any act or thing, to the best of his knowledge, to gain a settlement. And also says that having a wound in his back which is in danger of a mortification [he] is not able to work to maintain himself, and therefore cannot subsist without relief. William Sexton, his mark. Sworn, 10 Feb. 1748/9, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to Teddington.

200. [n.p.] Middlesex. Rebecca Guilford, single woman, aged about 28 years, born at Chelsea in Middlesex, upon oath says that about nine years ago she, this examinant, lived a hired servant with one Mr Charles Palmer in King Street in the parish of St James, Westminster, in the county of Middlesex aforesaid, with whom she continued and served a whole year and upwards, and received her full wages for the said time at the rate of 40s. per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And say that since the time of her living with Mr Palmer as aforesaid, she, this examinant, has not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act, or lived a year in service, to gain a settlement. Rebecca Guilford, her mark. Sworn, 17 Feb. 1748/9, before us. Peter Elers, Luke Robinson. Passed to St James, Westminster.