Of James Starkey, who married from 1718 to 1730, very little is known,
except that he had run away to Scotland, and could not be produced
when wanted at a trial in the Old Bailey. And also of Robert Cuthbert,
1723-30--very little is known except through the medium of his pocket
books, and they recount his love of horse flesh, and the prices he paid
for his mounts.
Of Thomas Crawford, 1723-1748, we hear something from a letter in that
curious _mélange_ of News, the _Grub Street Journal_, June 10, 1736:--
"Gentlemen, Having frequently heard of the many abominable
practises of the Fleet, I had the Curiosity, May 23, to take a
view of the place, as I accidently was walking by.
"The first thing observable was one J--- L----,[156] by trade
a Carpenter (whose brother, it is said, keeps the sign of the
B---- and G----r),[157] cursing, swearing, and raving in the
street in the time of divine service, with a mob of people about
him, calling one of his fraternity (J. E.),[158] a Plyer for
Weddings, an informing rogue, for informing against one of their
Ministers for profane cursing and swearing, for which offence
he paid three pounds odd money: the hearing of which pleased me
very well, since I could find one in that notorious place which
had some spark of grace left; as was manifested by the dislike
he shewed to the person that was guilty of the profanation of
God's sacred name.
"When the mob was dispersed, I walked about some small time, and
saw a person, exceeding well-dress'd in flower'd morning gown,
a band, hat and wig, who appeared so clean that I took him for
some worthy divine, who might have, accidentally, be making the
same remarks as myself; but upon inquiry was surpris'd at being
assured he was one T---- C---- [159] a watchmaker, who goes in a
Minister's dress, personating a Clergyman, and taking upon him
the name of Doctor, to the scandal of the Sacred function. He
may be seen any time at the Bull and Garter, or the Great Hand,
and Pen and Star, with these words under written. '_The old and
true Register_' near the Rainbow Coffee House.--T. S."
Peter Symson, who married 1731-1754, describes himself in his handbill,
as "educated at the University of Cambridge, and late Chaplain to the
Earl of Rothes."
His "Chapel" was at the Old Red Hand and Mitre, three doors from Fleet
Lane, and next door to the White Swan. As were most of his fellows, he
was witness in a bigamy trial in 1751. He was asked,
"Why did you marry them without license?
"_Symson._ Because somebody would have done it, if I had not.
I was ordained in Grosvenor Square Chapel by the Bishop of
Winchester--the Bishop of Lincoln. Can't say I am a prisoner in
the Fleet. Am 43 years old. Never had a benefice in my life.
I have had little petty Curacies about £20 or £30 per year. I
don't do it for lucre or gain.
"_Court._ You might have exposed your person had you gone on the
highway, but you'd do less prejudice to your country a great
deal. You are a nuisance to the public; and the gentlemen of the
jury, it is to be hoped, will give but little credit to you."
When Keith of Mayfair was committed to the Fleet, Symson married for
him from 1750 to 1754.
There was another Fleet Parson named William Dare, 1732-1746, who had
such a large connection that he employed a Curate to help him; but
then, his marriages were 150 to 200 a month.
James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that
he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of
one of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in
Church Street, Soho, opposite att a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His
Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a dirty chandler's shop: he is to be
heard of in the first flower next the skye."
He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on board
H.B.M.S. _Falkland_ from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had a house
in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which was at
the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel, and
here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French
three times a week.
An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence,
Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a Guinea, at the New Chapel, next
door to the China Shop, near Fleet Bridge, London, by a regular bred
Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson, as is insinuated in the public
papers; and that the town may be freed (from) mistakes, no Clergyman
being a prisoner in the Rules of the Fleet dare marry; and to obviate
all doubts, this Chapel is not in the verge of the Fleet, but kept by
a Gentleman who was lately on board one of his Majesty's men of war,
and likewise has gloriously distinguished himself in defence of his
King and Country, and is above committing those little mean actions
that some men impose on people, being determined to have everything
conducted with the utmost decency and regularity, such as shall be
always supported in law and equity."
Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not
pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.
Bates...
Becket, John 1748
Buckler, Sam. 1732 to 1751
Brayfield, Sam. 1754
Bynes, Benj. 1698 to 1711
Barrett, Mich. 1717 " 1738
Colton, James 1681 to 1721
Callow, Jos. 1752
Clayton 1720
Colteman 1688
Draper 1689 to 1716
Denevan, Francis 1747 " 1754
Davis, Wm. 1718
Evans, John 1689 to 1729
Evans, Ed. 1727
Farren, John 1688
Gower, Henry 1689 to 1718
Hodgkins, Thos. 1674 " 1728
Hanson, Anthony 1731 " 1732
Jones, John 1718 " 1725
Loveday, Wm. 1750
Morton 1720
Marston, Edward 1713 to 1714
Marshall, John 1750
Murry, D. 1719
Nodes 1753
Oswald 1712
Oglesby 1728 to 1740
Privavaul
Patterson 1732
Ryder, Thos. 1722 to 1743
Roberts, Edward 1698
Reynolds, E. 1749
Rogers, Nehemiah 1700 to 1703
Shadwell, Ralph 1733 " 1734
Shaw, James 1723
Sindrey, Richard 1722 to 1740
Stacy, Edmund 1719
Shelburn, Anthony 1722 to 1737
Stainton, John 1730
Simpson, Anthony 1726 to 1754
Stanhope, Walter 1711
Standly 1747 to 1750
Skinner, Nathaniel 1716
Town, I. 1754
Tomkings 1740
Tarrant, John 1688
" " 1742 to 1750
Townsend, Jacob 1754
Vice, Jo. 1689 to 1713
Wagstaffe, James 1689 " 1729
Wise, J. 1709
Wilkinson 1740
Williams, Wm.
Walker, Clem. 1732 to 1735
Wodmore, Isaac 1752
Which of these is the one referred to in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
April 1809? "I should be much obliged to you also, Mr. Urban, if you,
or any of your numerous and intelligent correspondents, could acquaint
me with the name of a tall black clergyman, who used to solicit the
commands of the votaries of Hymen at the door of a public-house known
by the sign of the Cock in Fleet Market, previously to the Marriage
Act."
Before dismissing the subject of Fleet parsons, reference must be
made to the Rev. Alexander Keith of Mayfair Chapel, who has a claim
to be noticed here, as he was an inhabitant of the Fleet. The Chapel
in Mayfair was built somewhere about 1736, to meet the wants of the
increasing neighbourhood, which was then becoming fashionable, after
the abolition of the fair in Brook-field, and the first incumbent was
the Rev. Alexander Keith, who claimed to have been ordained priest by
the Bishop of Norwich, acting on Letters Dimissory from the Bishop
of London, in June, 1731. He also stated that at the time of his
appointment as preacher in the Chapel, he was Reader at the Roll's
Chapel. He did a roaring trade in irregular marriages, and it was at
Mayfair Chapel that the Duke of Hamilton espoused the youngest of the
beautiful Miss Gunnings, "with a ring of the bed curtain, at half an
hour past twelve at night."
He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an advertisement
of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and
Chapels, together with many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair
New Chapel to be detrimental to their interest, have made it their
Business to rave and clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve
to Answer, because every Thing they have said tends to expose their
own Ignorance and Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and
Understanding. We are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed
from her Husband's House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to
an Apothecary's in South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung
with Mourning, and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her
Funeral! The way to Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the
End of St. James's Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the
Left Hand. The Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling
Stamp, and Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four
in the Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little
Chapel in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel,
and within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country
Church Porch."
His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which accounts
for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned is as
follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at Mayfair were
very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested Interests of the
neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector of St. George's,
Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the Ecclesiastical
Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a sentence of
excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27, 1742.
Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his Chapel in
Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the prosecutor,
Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the worse for
the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith, for, on
Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This did not
take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the Fleet; the
marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by Symson and
Denevan.
He lay in the Fleet about fifteen years, and in 1753, when Lord
Hardwicke's Marriage Act was being discussed, he thence issued a
pamphlet of thirty-two pages, with his portrait attached, entitled,
"Observations on the Act for preventing Clandestine Marriages." In
it he gives what seems to be "a plain, unvarnished tale" of Fleet
Marriages. "As I have married many thousands, and, consequently, have
on those occasions seen the humour of the lower class of people, I have
often asked the married pair how long they had been acquainted; they
would reply, some more, some less, but the generality did not exceed
the acquaintance of a week, some only of a day, half-a-day, &c....
Another inconveniency which will arise from this Act will be, that the
expence of being married will be so great, that few of the lower class
of people can afford; for I have often heard a Flete parson say, that
many have come to be married when they have but half-a-crown in their
pockets, and sixpence to buy a pot of beer, and for which they have
pawned some of their cloaths.... I remember once on a time, I was at
a public-house at Radcliffe, which was then full of Sailors and their
girls, there was fiddling, piping, jigging, and eating; at length one
of the tars starts up, and says, 'D--m ye, Jack, I'll be married just
now; I will have my partner, and'.... The joke took, and in less than
two hours ten couple set out for the Flete. I staid their return.
They returned in coaches; five women in each coach; the tars, some
running before, others riding on the coach box, and others behind.
The Cavalcade being over, the couples went up into an upper room,
where they concluded the evening with great jollity. The next time I
went that way, I called on my landlord and asked him concerning this
marriage adventure; he first stared at me, but, recollecting, he said
those things were so frequent, that he hardly took any notice of them;
for, added he, it is a common thing, when a fleet comes in, to have two
or three hundred marriages in a week's time, among the sailors."
The Marriage Act was passed, and came into force on March 26, 1754. On
the 25th Sixty-one Couples were married at Mayfair Chapel.
It was a death blow to the Reverend Alexander, although he tried to
laugh it off, if Horace Walpole may be believed. In a letter to George
Montagu, Esqr. (June 11, 1753), he says: "I shall only tell you a _bon
mot_ of Keith's, the marriage broker, and conclude. 'G--d d--n the
Bishops,' said he (I beg Miss Montagu's pardon), 'so they will hinder
my marrying. Well, let 'em, but I'll be revenged: I'll buy two or three
acres of ground, and by G--d, I'll under bury them all.'"
This may have been true, but it was mere bravado, for he appealed from
his prison to the benevolent, as we see by the following advertisement.
"_To the Compassionate._ By the late Marriage Act, the Rev. Mr. Keith,
from a great Degree of Affluence, is reduc'd to such a deplorable
State of Misery in the Fleet Prison, as is much better to be conceiv'd
than related, having scarce any other thing than Bread and Water to
subsist on. It is to be hoped he will be deemed truly undeserving
such a Fate, when the Publick are assured, that not foreseeing such
an unhappy Stroke of Fortune, as the late Act, he yearly expended
almost his whole Income (which amounted to several Hundred Pounds per
Annum) in relieving not only single distress'd Persons, but even whole
Families of wretched Objects of Compassion. This can be attested by
several Persons of the strictest Character and Reputation, as well as
by Numbers who experienced his Bounty. Mr. Keith's present calamitous
Situation renders him perhaps as great an Object of Charity himself, as
all Circumstances consider'd, as ever in his better Days partook of his
own Assistance, or that of others equally compassionate; and is indeed
sufficient to awaken Humanity in the most uncharitable. Any Gentleman
or Lady may be satisfied of the above by applying to Mr. Brooke,
Engraver, facing Water Lane, Fleet Street, by whom Donations from the
Publick will be received for the Use of Mr. Keith."
[Footnote 156: Joshua Lilly, who kept one of the Hand and Pen
houses, and said that he had been appointed Registrar of
Marriages, by the Lord Chancellor, and had paid £1,000 for the
post. He did not marry people, but kept presumable Clergymen
to do so. He is mentioned several times in the Registers and
Pocket-books. Once, at all events, he was in danger of the
judgment seat, as Ashwell writes in one of his pocket-books:
"N.B. On Sunday, November y^e 6, 1740, at y^e hour of 9, in my
house declared that, if he had not come home out of y^e
country, being fled for punishment, having Cut of his hair (to
prevent being known), y^t y^e indictment for marrying James
Hussey to Miss Henrietta Arnold, he had (been) ruin'd but y^t
he swore it off and y^e attorney promis'd to defend him, and
it cost him only a treat of 10/; had I staid, says the s^d
Joshua Lilley, where I was, viz.----, the indictment would
have stood good against me, but my taking y^e side of the
prosecutor, y^e young ladies, I have got safe off." In a
Register is a notice relating to him. "June y^e 13th, 1744.
Whereas one Joshua Lilley, being a noted man for having more
marriages at his house than the generality of y^e people could
have, he the said Joshua Lilley keeping several plyars, as
they are call'd, to gett these weddings, I have put his
marriages down in a separate book, but findend ill-convenience
arise thereby, fro' this 13th instant, do insert it w^{th} y^e
rest." And one of his handbills describes him as "I. Lilley,
at y^e Hand and Pen, next door to the china shop, Fleet
Bridge, London, will be perform'd the solemnization of
marriages by a gentleman regularly bred att one of our
Universities, and lawfully ordain'd according to the
institutions of the Church of England, and is ready to wait on
any person in town or countrey."]
[Footnote 157: This was John Lilley, who kept a public-house,
called the Bull and Garter. In 1717 he was found guilty, and
fined five pounds, for acting as Clerk at a Fleet Marriage. He
was a turnkey at the Fleet Prison, and in his house he had a
room for solemnizing marriages--which he called a
Chapel--issuing certificates bearing the City Arms, and
purporting to be the Lord Mayor's Certificates.]
[Footnote 158: Probably John Evans, who married from 1689 to
1729, both at the King's Bench and Fleet.]
[Footnote 159: I am unable to identify these initials.]
[Illustration: A FLEET WEDDING.]
[Illustration]