I have a copy of a removal order, from 1725, in which the churchwardens and overseers of the poor are commanded 'to remove and convey the said Mary Beaves and Anne Beaves from the said parish of St Saviour Southwark to the said parish of East Grinstead.' There is no mention of family relationships or status in the order but I believe (from a will) that Mary and Ann were quite young girls (baptisms not yet found). My question is, what is the youngest age at which children could be treated separately from their parents (who I believe were still alive at the time)? Could the word 'convey' in the order imply that they were too young to travel unaccompanied? Of course, this may not be 'my' Mary and Anne. Brian Steadman

In message <[email protected]>, [email protected] writes >I have a copy of a removal order, from 1725, in which the churchwardens and >overseers of the poor are commanded 'to remove and convey the said Mary Beaves >and Anne Beaves from the said parish of St Saviour Southwark to the said >parish of East Grinstead.' > >There is no mention of family relationships or status in the order but I >believe (from a will) that Mary and Ann were quite young girls (baptisms not yet >found). My question is, what is the youngest age at which children could be >treated separately from their parents Seven - illegitimate children could then be returned to their place of birth, and children of a deceased father to his settlement place. >(who I believe were still alive at the >time)? Could the word 'convey' in the order imply that they were too young to >travel unaccompanied? Generally they would be set walking and checked at set intervals by the local parish constable. A really kindly magistrate might order conveyance by coach or carrier's cart. It does seem a little unexpected for children who are mentioned in a will (presumably with relatives with money, some of which came their way) to be the subject of a vagrancy order/or removal order. There would have been further paperwork in the parish, possibly detailing ages, and the Quarter Sessions record (issuing the removal order) would normally include further evidence in the Sessions Rolls. -- Eve McLaughlin Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society