PUBZ3/8/37

Folio.53-56 John Bewsher residing in St Cuthbert, Bedford, shoemaker.

August 1832

From: 1832 To: 1832

I am about 45 years of age, was born in St Martin in the Fields, County of Middlesex where my father William Bewsher then resided and belonged, he having a settlement there by renting a house of the rent of £24 a year and paying the rent and all taxes, rates and assessed thereon. My father taight me the trade of a shoemaker and I lived with him in that parish until I was about 20 years of age when I left him and worked as a journeyman on my own account in and about London until May 1822 when I came to Bedford and worked at my trade. On 14th October 1822 I was married at St Cuthbert, Bedford to Elizabeth Norman, by whom I have two children, namely (blank space) now living with me and neither of them having obtained a settlement in their own right. My wife's father James Norman made a will in the words following: James Norman being in sound mind do leave this as my last will and testament to will the house measuring eight feet by nine and parlour measuring ten feet by ten situated north of Thames Street in the parish of St Cuthbert, Bedford with the ground adjoining measuring ten feet by eleven to my daughter Elizabeth Norman and her heirs to the exclusion of all others as witness my hand 14th Day of October 1822. I James Norman do sign it with mine own hand for Elizabeth Norman aforesaid her heirs and assigns for ever. Witness to the above Thomas Smith, B Malden. I had possession of the above house and lived in it about seven years. My wife's father lived in the adjoining house and paid the taxes for my house. I sold it to [blank] Humphreys of Well Street, St Paul, Bedford in January 1830 for about £12 or £14. I did not give any receipt or sign any deed. I quitted the house and Mr Humphreys had it pulled down and it has not been built up since. James Norman died about six years ago and was buried in St Cuthberts churchyard, leaving his eldest son Charles Norman now living and in possession of the house occupied by his father. I have not done any act to the best of my knowledge to gain another settlement. Not signed.

item

Bewsher, John,
Bewsher, Elizabeth,
Bewsher, William,
Norman, Elizabeth,
Norman, James,
Norman, Charles,
Humphreys

BEDFORD, Bedford Well Street, Bedford Thames Street, Middlesex, Settlement, Overseers, magistrate, POVERTY, Poor Laws, MARRIAGE, shoemaker, DEATH, burial, churchyards, wills, private buildings & land