Hi all,
Has anybody ever come across two people not being married, but openly living as a couple in the 18th century?
One of my ancestor's was John Wyatt, who I believe was born at Weeford in 1765. His baptism says "John Wyatt the son of James Wyatt and Elizabeth Sommerford". This would strike me as meaning that James and Elizabeth were not married, but as they have four children, and lived in the mid 18th century I would find this hard to believe.
I have been through the records for Weeford, and James and Elizabeth's children are the only one's described in this way. There were four in total, two James' and two John's. Every other child born out of wedlock is listed as being the illegitimate (or words to that effect) of the mother, no father mentioned.
I feel I should also point out that the Wyatt family were one of the principle families in Weeford at the time, James' brother John was an early industrialist/inventor, and his nephew was the famous James Wyatt who was an architect. I don't know if this would have any bearing on the situation.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Tippin
Has anybody ever come across two people not being married, but openly living as a couple in the 18th century?
One of my ancestor's was John Wyatt, who I believe was born at Weeford in 1765. His baptism says "John Wyatt the son of James Wyatt and Elizabeth Sommerford". This would strike me as meaning that James and Elizabeth were not married, but as they have four children, and lived in the mid 18th century I would find this hard to believe.
I have been through the records for Weeford, and James and Elizabeth's children are the only one's described in this way. There were four in total, two James' and two John's. Every other child born out of wedlock is listed as being the illegitimate (or words to that effect) of the mother, no father mentioned.
I feel I should also point out that the Wyatt family were one of the principle families in Weeford at the time, James' brother John was an early industrialist/inventor, and his nephew was the famous James Wyatt who was an architect. I don't know if this would have any bearing on the situation.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Tippin
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