Settlement Examination dated 7th April 1781
of William CHRISTOPHER

Held at Blandford Forum, Dorset

Transcribed by Michael Russell OPC Dorchester - January 2008

The Examination of William CHRISTOPHER now residing in the Parish of Blandford Forum in the said County taken on oath before two of his Majesties Justices of the Peace in and for the said County this seventh day in the year of our Lord 1781

This examinant on his oath saith that he was born as he has heard and believes in the Parish of Fordington in the said county about Forty years ago, where he believes his parents were legally settled, that he continued to live with his father till he was about 15 or 16 years of age when he left his said Father and went and hired himself to one Mr HEAD at the Crown Inn at Blandford for a year on the wage of forty shillings but cannot say whether he lived there twelve months or not or what money he received, that after that he went down to Bridport in the said County of Dorset and lived with Mr HARBER at the Goutson Lyon, as a Chaise Driver but under no Hiring or wager, after he went to Dorchester in the said County and lived with Mr BRYER at the Kings Arms about a quarter of a year as a Chaise Driver, when he went to Blandford aforesaid and lived with Mr Charles WASS as a Post chaise Driver but under no hiring or wager. That he continued then about 4 year when he married his present wife Mary by whom he has three children, John aged about seven years, Elizabeth aged about four years, and Mary aged about half a year, that he has not since done any act whereby to gain a legal settlement elsewhere to his knowledge or belief

The mark of X William CHRISTOPHER

taken and sworn this 7th
day of April 1781 before me
Fordth Thos WENTWORTHES

Ros KING


Genealogical Notes:-

(1) William Christopher was born in the Parish of Fordington and baptised in St Georges Church on 7th July 1745 the 5th child of Charles and Elizabeth Christopher
(2) William Christopher married Mary King in Blandford Forum 3rd Jun 1771
(3) Their children were all baptised in Blandford Forum, John on 14th Aug 1774; Elizabeth 10th January 1778; and Mary 3rd March 1780.
(4) They went on to have 4 more children.
(5) A Mr Charles Wasse is shown in the Universal British directory for 1791 under Blandford as the Innkeeper of the Crown so presumably took over from Mr Head

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