Hi All Is there anyone here who can give me some insight as I am confused (not unusual in genealogy!) I have traced one of my Liverpool families back to a Rev John Jackson (born 1744 in Aldingham, Lancs). He was Vicar of Morland and a bit of a lad. He had a child by his housekeeper in 1773 and another again by her in 1775, after promising to marry her in 1771. She threatened a Breach if Promise suit in 1773 and he married her in 1774. The suit states that he was at he time "in the cursory of the marshal of the marshalsea of our Lord the now King" - that was in 1773. That is clear enough, but can it be true? Surely if he was in a prison in London that would be a reasonable excuse for not acting on his promose to marry in Lancashire. Could a vicar of a remote parish end up in a London debtors prison and if so would his stay be very short? He conceived sons in 1772 & 1774 in Moreland and swore a marriage licence in Lancashire in 1774. Is this reasonable or is there some alternative explanation of the facts? Any insights or suggestions of where to search would be most welcome. Thanks in advance for any ideas or help Regards T@m