She is almost certainly looking for relief - either she was destitute, unable to find work or incapable of working, or she was pregnant. The overseers of Brightwell had, presumably, questioned whether she was their responsibility - ie they were looking at a way of avoiding paying for her (and her child's) support. The JP (Warner) may well have concluded that she should seek relief or have her child in Dorchester. Phil -----Original Message----- From: berkshire-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:berkshire-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Pamela Andre Sent: 09 April 2010 05:17 To: BERKSHIRE@rootsweb.com Subject: [BRK] Query about an Examination in 1769 The examination quoted below is from the Berkshire Overseers Project, vol.9, Wallingford Union. My query is: why was Frances being examined? "23 4. 1] 23 July 1769 Examination of 2] Frances BATTEN [x] of Brightwell before 6] J. Warner [+]. She is about 20 years of age and born at Brightwell. Lived with her father for about 8 years and then family moved to Dorchester, Oxon and lived there some years. She maintained herself there and at Brightwell by her own labour. Sometime before Christmas last past she moved to London in service for one month (and after that cohabited) [these 4 words crossed out] with Levy BANNISTER and received a months wages from him and after that cohabited with him until sometime after last Easter, when she returned to Brightwell." [End] The document is from "a mixed bundle of 8 documents relating to bastardy" so can I assume that Frances was pregnant and seeking financial assistance? I haven't found a matching baptism in Dorchester or Brightwell but I think (hope) the child was named Thomas and would have been born in 1769. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Pamela Sydney, Australia ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BERKSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2800 - Release Date: 04/09/10 07:32:00