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Consent of friends

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Moira

Moira Report 15 Apr 2008 13:51

I have a 1826 marriage which took place "by consent of friends", does this suggest that one, or both, parties was below the age of consent and without parents? I'm hoping that someone more knowledgable than I can help me. Thanks in advance, Moira.

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC)

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC) Report 15 Apr 2008 14:17

Greeting’s …..Moira

With reference to :~ “ With consent of friends “

Occasionally, if the Bride or Groom was patently under age…..
But had had no surviving parents, then the specific consent of a Guardian would be sought…..if there was no Guardian as such ( because the person was poor or an Orphan) then the general approbation of the Parish Overseers, and of the friends of the couple was deemed sufficient……
All the Vicar or Officiating Minister had to know was that,
there was no objections to this marriage.

Or….. if the Parish Minister was new to the job and did not have the services of a Parish Clark who usually makes out the Registers.
He might think this was the usual entry in the Registers for this Parish.
This is if “ With the consent of friends”
appears several times within the registers.

I hope this clears up what was an unusual entry in the Parish Registers.

MIKE.

Moira

Moira Report 15 Apr 2008 14:40

Thanks Mike. I think it must be the first reason you give, as it only appears in one other entry. Once again thanks, Moira.

MaryfromItaly

MaryfromItaly Report 16 Apr 2008 15:37

I believe "friends" is an old word for "family" in legal terminology (e.g. "next friend" was a representative in legal proceedings who was often the next of kin).

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 16 Apr 2008 16:43

There is an article on this very subject in the new June issue of Family Tree Magazine.

Apparently, "with consent of friends" was very common in North Wales between 1813 and 1837, there are also accounts of it occuring in other places.

There are also quotes of other examples where it says "with consent of the parties themselves" and more oddly "with consent of nobody"

Jennifer