PUBV34/2/3

Removal Order and settlement examination for Mary Seale, singlewoman and her male bastard child, born on or about the 22nd December last. Removed from St Peter, Bedford to Northborough in the Liberty of Peterborough.

20 Jan 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

Certificate stating that Mary Seale had entered Bedford Union Workhouse on 29th December 1842. Statement of James Long, overseer of St Peter that Mary Seale had become chargeable to that parish. Examination of Samuel Wing, Clerk to the Board of Guardians of the Poor of Bedford Union, verifying the above. Examination of Mary Seale: I am a single woman and I am about 24 years of age. At Helpstone Statute (which is held about a fortnight before Old Michaelmas Day) 1835 being an unmarried person without child, I was hired by Mr William Clarke of the parish of Northborough in the Liberty of Peterborough in the County of Northampton, Farmer, for a year as nursery maid at the wages of two pounds ten shillings and my board and lodging to commence from Old Michaelmas Day next following. Mr Clarke when he hired me allowed me a few days holiday from Tuesday to Saturday and at the expiration of those few days I entered Mr Clarkes service as agreed upon and continued and abided in the same service in the said parish of Northborough until Old Michaelmas Day the following year. At the expiration of my first years service my master hired me again for the following year at the advanced wages of three pounds five shillings with my board and lodging and I continued and abided in Mr Clarkes service in the Parish of Northborough for the whole period of another year under this second hiring. On the 22nd December last I was delivered of a male child and I and my said child are the persons mentioned in the certificate of chargeability. Examination of Mary Seale, wife of John Seale of Helpstone: I am the mother of Mary Seale the pauper. I recollect that at Helpstone Statute 10 years ago about two or three weeks before Old Michaelmas Day Mrs Clarke of Northborough hired my daughter in my presence as nursery maid for a year to commence from Old Michaelmas Day with wages of £3 and board and lodging. Mrs Clarke asked me when she could go I said I did not know, when would she want her? Mrs Clarke said I suppose she will want a holiday. I told her I did not think she would mind much about that, it won't matter. Mrs Clarke said she should like her to come as soon as she could. My daughter left Mr Maye's service the day after Old Michaelmas Day and went to Mr Clarkes a day or two after . I am certain no holiday in particular was mentioned. Nothing was said about a holiday until after the hiring and payment of the earnest money. Mrs Clarke allowed my daughter to come home on the Feast Sunday and she returned to Northbrough at night. She came again on the Monday and stopped all night at our house. Mr Clarke and his family came over to Helpstone on that day to visit his brother and she came with them. My daughter went to Mr clarke's mothers to assist in waiting at dinner on her Master. My daughter did not bring any clothes away with her. At the termination of the first years service my daughter did not come home but remained at Mr Clarkes over the Michaelmas for a second year. On the matter of an appeal concerning theremoval of Mary Searle and her child. Between the Overseers of Northborough, County of Northampton and Overseers of St Peter, Bedford: The grounds of this appeal are that the said Mary Seale was not hired by Mr Clarke of Northborough, farmer at Helpstone Statute which was held about a fortnight before Old Michaelmas Day 1832 for a year as nursery maid at at the wages of two pounds ten shillings and her board and lodging to commence from Old Michaelmas Day following. Nor did the said Mary Searle continue and abide in said service as stated in her examination herein. That at the expiration of such first years alleged service no such hiring by the said William Clarke of the said Mary Searle for another year at the advanced wages of three pounds five shillings with board and lodging ever took place. Nor if it did was any settlement gained by it and the alleged service under it at Norrthborough aforesaid by reason of the Statute made and passed in the 4th and 5th years of the reign of King William the fourth entitled 'An Act for the amendment and better administration of the Laws relating to the poor ofEngland and Wales'. We on behalf of the said parish of Northborough mean to avail ourselves of all or some one or more of the said grounds in support of the said appeal [9 March 1843].

item

Searle, Mary,
Seale, Mary,
Seale, John,
Long, James,
Wing, Samuel,
Clarke, William,
Mayes

BEDFORD, Northborough, Helpston, Peterborough, POVERTY, Poor Laws, Poor Law Unions, employment, Settlement, removal, Governor, relieving officer, nursery maid, bastardy, farmer, wages/conditions