Examinations, 1750-1766: nos 215-234

Examinations, 1750-1766: nos 215-234

215. [fol. 1–12. A contemporary names index incorporated into the original book structure, and organised around individual letter tags. This index is largely accurate and complete.]

216. [fol. 13–4. A contemporary names index organised in a grid pattern. Very incomplete.]

217. [p. 1] Middlesex. Elizabeth Fox, widow, aged 77 years, upon oath says that 37 years ago she, this examinant, was married in the liberty of the Fleet, London, to Thomas Fox her late husband, deceased. And says that he was at the time she married him a foot soldier in the Second Regiment of Guards, and that he continued in the army till he was admitted an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, where he died last Shrove Tuesday. And this examinant says that her said late husband 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. But says that she has heard and been informed he was born in Northamptonshire. As to the parish she does not know or can give any account. And this examinant further says that as to her own settlement, she lived a servant hired by the year (before marriage) with one Mr Samuel Hiles, victualler, who then kept the sign of the Duke of Marlborough, opposite the end of Holloway Lane in Shoreditch in the county of Middlesex. With whom she continued and served nine years, and received her full wages of her said master for the said time at 50s. per annum, meat, drink, washing and lodging. The mark of Elizabeth Fox. Sworn before us, 7 May 1750, Henry Fielding, George Errington. Passed to St Leonard Shoreditch.

218. [p. 2] Middlesex. Charles Lukey, labourer, aged about 32 years, born in Bow Street, alias Thieving Lane in the parish of St Margaret in the city of Westminster and county of Middlesex, upon oath says that his father (John Lukey) served his apprenticeship with one Mr Rose a joiner who lived in the said parish of St Margaret (as he had often been told and informed by his said father). And says he, this examinant, from the time of his birth has not lived a hired servant a whole year in any place, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act (to his knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. And this examinant also says that he was married to Mary, his present wife, about twelve years since in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom he has two children living; vizt, Charles, aged about 10 years, and Frances, aged near 3 years. And says that he having a swelled foot which is in great danger of mortification [he] is not able to work to support his said family. The mark of Charles Lukey. Sworn before us, 28 May 1750, Thomas Rea, Henry Fielding. Passed to St Margaret, Westminster.

219. [p. 3] Middlesex. Thomas Todd, by trade a brazier, aged near 47 years, born at a place called Diss in the county of Norfolk, upon oath says that about seventeen years ago he, this examinant, was bound an apprentice to Joseph Watson late of Chelsea in Middlesex, brazier, for the term of seven years. With whom he continued and served four years only of his apprenticeship, and after that time he went about to different places and did jobbing work. And this examinant also says that since the time of his leaving Mr Watson's service 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 legal settlement. The mark of Thomas Todd. Sworn, 9 Aug. 1750, before me, Peter Elers.

220. [p. 4] Middlesex. Mary Reynolds, widow, aged about 50 years, born in the parish of St Ann, Westminster, upon oath says that she hath had two husbands. Both of them were soldiers in the army, but cannot give any account of either of their settlements. [She] says that after her last husband died (Melsha Reynolds) she, this examinant, (not having any children) lived a servant hired by the year with one Anthony Hanks in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, victualler, who at that time kept the sign of King Charles' Head at Charing Cross, where she continued and served about four years at the rate of £4 a year wages, and of which she received upwards of two years of her said master, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And says that after she quitted the said service of Mr Hanks, which is about a year since, she has not paid any parochial taxes, or done any other act, to her knowledge, to gain a settlement. The mark of Mary Reynolds. Sworn before us, 27 Aug. 1750, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to St Martin in the Fields.

221. [p. 5] Middlesex. Elizabeth Kemish, the wife of Edward Kemish, aged about 49 years, upon oath says that on 6 Oct. 1739 she, this examinant, (as appears by a certificate) was married to her said husband in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom she has two children living; vizt, Edward, aged about 6 years, and William, aged upwards of 4 years. And says that her said husband, before her marriage, lived a hired servant by the year with one Mr Thomas Thorogood of New Brentford in the parish of Hanwell in the county of Middlesex, tripe man. With whom he continued and served three years. And says that her said husband had £9 a year wages of his said master, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And this examinant says that she lived fellow servant with her said husband in the same place a year before her marriage. And also says that her said husband from the time of his living with Mr Thorogood as aforesaid has not paid any parish taxes, or done any act, to her knowledge, to gain a settlement. And says that her husband being absconded and left her, [she] is not able to provide for herself and two children. The mark of Elizabeth Kemish. Sworn before us, 4 Sept. 1750. Peter Elers, Richard Chamberlayne. Passed to Hanwell.

222. [p. 6] Middlesex. Mary Dimond, widow of Peter Dimond, aged about 50 years; and Sarah Ward otherwise Sarah Dancer, aged about 30 years (the daughter of Mary Dimond, by Nathaniel Dancer, her first husband), severally maketh oath. And first, the said Mary Dimond, says that she was married to her said first husband (Nathaniel Dancer) at the Fleet Chapel, and that her said husband before marriage was bound an apprentice to one Mr Best, a wheelwright at Walham Green in the parish of Fulham in the county of Middlesex. And says that her said first husband since the time he served his apprenticeship as aforesaid, had not rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parish taxes, or done any other act, to her knowledge, to gain a settlement. And the said Sarah Ward, otherwise Sarah Dancer, as to herself, says that on 21 Jan. 1745/6 she was married to one John Ward in the liberty of the Fleet, who was at that time a soldier in the foot guards, but is now absconded and gone from her, so that she cannot give any account as to his settlement. And says that as to herself, she never lived a year in any service. And further says that she has been informed that her said husband, at the time he married her, had another wife who is now living in some part of Wiltshire, where this examinant imagines he is gone. Mary Dimond, her mark. Sarah Ward, her mark. Sworn before us, 12 Sept. 1750, Peter Elers, Boulton Mainwaring. Sarah Ward, otherwise Sarah Dancer, passed to Fulham.

223. [p. 7] Middlesex. Thomas Mercer, waterman, aged about 27 years, born at Chelsea in the county of Middlesex, upon oath says that about thirteen years ago he, this examinant, was bound apprentice at Waterman's Hall to one James Hull, waterman, who lived at Wandsworth in the county of Surrey. With whom he continued and served one year of his apprenticeship, and afterwards went to sea for the remainder six years of his time. And says that he never rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or done any act, to his knowledge, to gain a settlement since the time of his apprenticeship as aforesaid. And further says that about four years ago this examinant was married to Elizabeth his wife in the liberty of the Fleet, by whom he has one child, named William, aged near 2 years. Thomas Mercer. Sworn before us. 8 Sept. 1750, Peter Elers, Richard Chamberlayne. Passed to Wandsworth.

224. [p. 8] Middlesex. Elizabeth Bussell, single woman, aged about 26 years, maketh oath that she has lived with Mr Firmin of the parish of St Clement Danes, button seller, as a hired servant about three years and half, at the rate of £4 a year wages (of which this examinant says she has received about £6 in part). Says that she was at Mr Firmin's house at Chelsea from August last, was twelve month, until she was taken into Chelsea workhouse on 16 June last. And this examinant voluntarily says that on the Sunday night the riot happened in the Strand (which was on 14 Apr. last) her young master (Mr Samuel Firmin) then took an opportunity, as there was only an errand boy besides themselves in the house, to lock him out of the room where they were, and forcibly lay with her, this examinant, which was effected by his taking a penknife out of his pocket and threatening to kill her if she refused. With which she was so much terrified and weak by struggling, [she] was obliged to comply against her will. And this examinant also says that the said Samuel Firmin several times afterwards lay with her by frightening her with his drawn penknife and beating and bruising her frequently. And one time in particular he beat her so much about the eyes, which were so bad, she was obliged [p. 9] to apply to one Mrs Dean, an oculist, for a cure. And this examinant further says that she believes she had a miscarriage by her young master, as Mr Stammers (Mrs Firmin's father) very well knows. For she says that Mr Stammers often persuaded and prevailed on her to drink warm ale in which she had great reason to believe he had put something extraordinary, for it always soon after made her sleep very much. And says that Mr Stammers himself has used her very ill, and often attempted to get into her room when she was in bed to lay with her. And this examinant says that in her conscience she really believes that the illness and unhappy disorder she has lately been under in the said workhouse was occasioned wholly by the base and unkind treatment both of young Mr Samuel Firmin and the said Mr Stammers. Elizabeth Bussell. Sworn, 13 Oct. 1750, before me, Peter Elers.

225. [p. 10] Middlesex. The voluntary examination of Elizabeth Edmunds, the wife of John Edmunds, an out pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, taken upon oath before me Peter Elers, esq. . . . Who saith that about ten years ago she was married to the said John Edmunds in the liberty of the Fleet, London, by whom she hath one child living named Matthew, aged about 9 years. Says that when the said child was but three weeks old her said husband left this examinant and entered himself a marine in the army, and was beyond sea till last May. And says that after the said Edmunds was gone from her about three years she, this examinant, was several times informed and told that he died abroad and that he was so put down upon the list, and that the newspapers likewise mentioned that the Winchester Man of War (which was the ship he was aboard of) was cast away. And this examinant says that some time after this information she was again married at the Fleet aforesaid to one James Lindsay an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, and [with] him [p. 11] she has two children living; vizt, Elizabeth, aged near 5 years, and John, an infant aged about 15 months, both born in the parish of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex aforesaid. And this examinant further says that the said James Lindsay is the real true and only father of the said last mentioned two children, and that John Edmunds her said first husband has been from this examinant and beyond the sea for about nine years till May last as aforesaid. And this examinant further saith not. Elizabeth Edmunds, her mark. Sworn at Chelsea before me, 17 Dec. 1750, Peter Elers. [See 226].

226. Middlesex, to wit. This examinant, Elizabeth Edmunds above mentioned, aged about 45 years, on her voluntary oath further says that she has now living by the said James Lindsay three other children born on her body in the parish of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex; vizt, James, aged about 16 years, Margaret, aged about 13 years, Ann, aged about 10 years. And that the said James Lindsay is the real and true father of the aforesaid children and no man else, and that she has not been married to any man since. Elizabeth Edmunds, her mark. Sworn before me, . . . 24 Jan. 1769, Paul Vaillant. [See 225].

227. [p. 12] Middlesex. Ephraim Hillary, mariner, aged about 30 years, born at a place called Evershot in Devonshire [Dorset], upon oath says that he, this examinant, was brought up and lived with his father, Ephraim Hillary, till he attained the age of 13 years, and then he went to sea, where he afterwards made several voyages. And when he returned from thence, he lived with his father again (so that he did not gain any settlement but from his father's). Says that upwards of six years ago he was married at Mayfair Chapel to Mary, his wife, by whom he has three children living; to wit, Ephraim, aged about 4 years, Elizabeth, aged near 3 years, and Sarah, an infant, aged almost 4 months. And this examinant says that when he lived with his father about eight years ago, that his father rented a house and some land in the parish of Fulham in the county of Middlesex of above £10 a year rent of one Mr Anderson and Mr Shreeve. And this examinant further says that since the time of his marriage and living with his father as aforesaid, he has not rented a house of £10 a year, or otherways done any act, to his knowledge, to gain a legal settlement. Ephraim Hillary. Sworn, 26 Dec. 1750, before us, Peter Elers, John Powell. Passed to Fulham. [See 231].

228. [p. 13] Middlesex. Elizabeth Jones, widow, aged about 66 years, maketh oath and saith that on 16 Apr. 1745 she was married (as appears by a certificate) to her late husband, Edward Jones, deceased, in that part of the parish of St Brides, which is in the liberty of the Fleet, London. Says that her said husband at the time she married him was an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, where he continued till the time he died, which is almost two years ago. And this examinant says that she hath often heard her said husband declare in his lifetime that he was born in the parish of St Giles in the Field in the county of Middlesex, and that he never rented a house, or paid any parish taxes, or done any other act, to her knowledge, since the time of his birth to gain a legal settlement. And this examinant further says that she is well informed that it does appear by her late husband's affidavit filed in the secretary's office in Chelsea Hospital, upon his admittance there, that he was born in the said parish of St Giles in the Fields. And that it does likewise appear by an entry made in the register book of the said parish of St Giles, that he was born there in Oct. 1706. Elizabeth Jones, her mark. Sworn, 7 Jan. 1750/1, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to St Giles.

229. [p. 14] Middlesex. The voluntary examination of Amey Nixon, single woman, taken 12 Jan., before me, Peter Elers esq. . . . Who upon oath saith that she is now pregnant of a bastard child or children which was, or were, unlawfully begotten on her body by one John Cuthbert, footman to Andrew Hopegood esq. at Hadley near Barnet in the said county of Middlesex. Who had carnal knowledge of her body the first time in the beginning of the month of April last in the dwelling house of Mrs Denham in Southhampton Street near Covent Garden, London (where this examinant and the said John Cuthbert lived at the same time fellow servants). And says that the said John Cuthbert had carnal knowledge of her body several times after in the said house, and that the said John Cuthbert is the true and only father of the said child or children she now goeth with. And further says not. Amey Nixon. Sworn at Chelsea, the day and year above written, before me, Peter Elers.

230. [p. 15] Middlesex. Catherine Rider, widow, aged 40 years, upon oath says that about eighteen years ago she, this examinant was married to her late husband, Emanuel Rider, deceased, at the parish church at Limehouse in the county of Middlesex. By whom she has two children living; vizt, Charles, aged about 14 years (who is not capable of any employment he being out of his senses), and Nicholas, aged near 12 years. And this examinant says that her said late husband often declared and informed this examinant in his life time that he lived as a covenant servant by the year before he married with one Mr Miller near Horsely Down Stairs, in the parish of St John Southwark, in the county of Surrey, boat builder. And with whom he said that he continued and served between two and three years, and that he received at the rate of £20 a year wages of his said master, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And this examinant also says that her said late husband after marriage never rented a house of £10 a year, or paid any parochial taxes, or otherwise done any act (to her knowledge) to gain a legal settlement. But says that she being left a widow, and in very mean and low circumstances, is not able to provide for and support her said two children without some relief. Catherine Rider. Sworn, 10 May 1751, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. [See 49, 65, 82, 243].

231. [p. 16] Middlesex. Ephraim Hillary, yeoman, aged about 65 years, maketh oath and saith that in the year 1742 (before his son Ephraim's marriage in December in the same year) he, this examinant rented of one Mr Andrews a house and some land in the parish of Fulham in the county of Middlesex at the yearly rent of £9 10s., as appears by the said Mr Andrews' receipts. And this examinant says that in the said year 1742 he also rented other land in the said parish of Fulham of one Isaac Stevens at the yearly rent of £1 10s., which rent he paid Stevens as appears by his receipt. And this examinant further says that in the said year 1742 he likewise rented some pasture land in Town Mead in the said parish of Fulham, of one [blank] Burton, a widow, at the yearly rent of £3 15s., which last mentioned rent he paid to the said [blank] Burton for that year. And further saith not. Ephraim Hillary. Sworn, 13 May 1751, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. [See 227].

232. [p. 17] Middlesex. William Cooke, aged about 75 years, an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, born at Grimoldby in Lincolnshire, upon oath says that upwards of 50 years ago he, this examinant, lived a servant hired by the year with one Joseph Eldon, a farmer who lived at Little Carlton in the county of Lincoln (the farm was called and known by the name of Little Carleton Uphall). And says that he continued and served his said master a whole year, and received his full wages for the said time, at the rate of £3 a year, meat, drink, washing and lodging. And this examinant says that soon after he quitted the service of the said Joseph Eldon, he entered himself a soldier in the army, where he continued till he was admitted a pensioner of Chelsea Hospital,. . . . where he now belongs as aforesaid. And further says that in the month of Apr. 1743 he, this examinant, was married to Jane, his present wife, in the liberty of the Fleet, London, who is of the age of 75 years or thereabouts. And says that he is not able to maintain her without relief. The mark of William Cook. Sworn, 22 June 1751, before us, Peter Elers.

233. [p. 18] Middlesex. Sarah Jenkins, widow, aged near 70 years, born in the parish of St Sidwell in the county of Exon [Exeter], upon oath says that about 25 years ago she, this examinant, was married to Jacob Jenkins, her late husband, at the parish church of St Sidwell aforesaid. And that her said late husband was a soldier when she married him, and that he continued in the army till he was admitted an in pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, where he died about three years ago. And this examinant says that she has been told by her husband that he was born in Wales, but in what part or where his settlement was she declares she does not know, or can give any particular account. And as to her own settlement before marriage, she says that she was brought up and lived with her father (Thomas Cole) till she was married to her said late husband. And that her said father was a weaver by trade and served his apprenticeship in the parish of Crediton, near Exeter in the county of Exon aforesaid. And says that she cannot give any further account either of her father's or her own settlement. The mark of Sarah Jenkins. Sworn, 9 July 1751, before me, Peter Elers.

234. [p. 19] Middlesex. Susannah Harvey otherwise Watson, aged 50 years, upon oath says that she, this examinant, upwards of eight years ago was married to one George Harvey, a footman at Mayfair Chapel, . . . by whom she has one child living, named John Daniell Harvey, aged about 7 years, who was born in the dwelling house of one Mr Newman, a hatter in Carnaby Market in the parish of St James, Westminster, in the county of Middlesex. And this examinant says that about a year and half after she was married to the said George Harvey, she was informed that he had another wife living in the country, who soon after came to this examinant, took her goods, and turned her out of doors. And says that soon after that transaction the said George Harvey left this examinant and went to Flanders with General Otway, and has not been heard of since. And also says that the last place she lived in upwards of a year was with Governor Worsley in Golden Square in the parish of St James aforesaid. Says that she lived with the said Governor in the station of a cook upwards of two years, and received £10 a year wages. The mark of Susannah Harvey. Sworn, 27 July 1751, before us, Peter Elers, Henry Fielding. Passed to St James, Westminster.