Hi. Just quickly as this is off the board topic. There is no definitive information in the Cowper book about Freemen. It quotes the oath they took, the requirements of which are in essence unchanged between 1426 and 1902. They swore to be true and faithful o the king and his heirs, to be obedient to the bailiffs (magistrates), later the current mayor of the City and "the Franchises, Usages and Customs of the said City made and to be made maintain and sustain to your power. Also you shall be partner of all things touching the said City as in Summonses, Contributions, Watches, Tallages, and all other charges, as other Freemen of the said City are; and if you shall know of any Congregation, Affinity or Assembly made against the King's Majesty's Peace, you shall give timely notice thereof to the Mayor of the City for the time being. All these points aforesaid you shall well and truly keep. So help you God, and upon pain of losing your liberties." Freeman by birth DESPAIGNE, Henry, carpenter, son of Henry Despaigne, carpenter, 1741 DESPAIN, John, cordwainer, son of Henry Despain, carpenter, 1745 Freeman by marriage SIX, Stephen, silkweaver, m. Anne, daughter of Thomas Colfe, barber, 1730 Freeman by apprenticeship DESPAIGNE, Henry, carpenter, apprenticed to Edward Landman, 1719 LEFEVER, Thomas, of Dover, brazier, a Quaker, was affirmed, 1789 There are a couple of AWCHERS by apprenticship and by marriage, an ANCHOR, Isaac, silkweaver, 1760, who lost Freeman status a month after admission because his wife had died long before he took up his freedom Also by marriage CLINCH, Samuel, gardener, m. Sarah, daughter of William Pout, victualler, 1753 MOOR, John, yeoman, m. Elizabeth, daughter of James Pout, woollen draper, 1714 Sue