i suppose it's known and expected the upper classes sometimes married as children, and i know the legal age was like 12 wasn't it? how often is there evidence of child marriages among poorer classes? and are they usually both children?
looking through the somerset marriage bonds and allegations on ancestry for my ancestor's, and came across a license for john periam in 1783. he was "21 years and upwards". the bride is mary shiklong of butleigh. "a spinster of the age of 10 years or thereabouts, but under the age of 21 years".
mary's father is dead and her mother consented to this "marriage". what a horrid thought, even the use of the word "spinster". makes you wonder of the circumstances? but can't really see any kind of circumstance where this a favourable outcome for the child? surely she could have been adopted or something if the family needed money?
looking through the somerset marriage bonds and allegations on ancestry for my ancestor's, and came across a license for john periam in 1783. he was "21 years and upwards". the bride is mary shiklong of butleigh. "a spinster of the age of 10 years or thereabouts, but under the age of 21 years".
mary's father is dead and her mother consented to this "marriage". what a horrid thought, even the use of the word "spinster". makes you wonder of the circumstances? but can't really see any kind of circumstance where this a favourable outcome for the child? surely she could have been adopted or something if the family needed money?
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