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Somerset / Re: Looking for Webber`s of Camerton
« on: Tuesday 28 February 06 12:11 GMT (UK) »
SOJ - sojourner. In basic terms SOJ means someone who is a temporary resident., but in parish marriage registers its meaning is a little more precise. When the 1754 - 1837 Hardwicke Marriage Act was passed, clerks were required to write down the parish of each person who married. If the couple had been resident for more than 3 weeks they were shown as OTP (of this parish). However for someone who had only taken up residence in lodgings to avoid the bann fees, this was frowned upon and the word "sojourner" or SOJ abb. was added to the marriage entry to indicate that they had met the letter of the law but did`nt really belong.
Hardwicke Marriage Act 1754-1837. stated that everyone had to marry in a licensed church in their own parish. Banns (notices of intentions to marry) were read publicly on three separate Sundays, which gave the opportunity for anyone to object. This gave the opportunity for parents of minors (under the age of 21) or previous spouses to call a halt to the proposed wedding.
It was also possible for couples to marry by licence in a different parish church to that of their residence. By this method banns were not read although it was still possible for someone to call an objection to the marriage at the start of the ceremony.
Because John & Hester Webber had SOJ in the register for there marriage this would show that Shepton Mallet was not their parish of residence.
There residence at that period was around Camerton-Wellow- Dunkerton area which was a fair distance away from Shepton Mallet.
I believe the reason they got married in Shepton Mallet was that they both were very young (16?, possibly pregnant
)and did not have the consent of there parents, and to avoid the banns being read out at there local parish church and any objections being made to there marriage.
Hardwicke Marriage Act 1754-1837. stated that everyone had to marry in a licensed church in their own parish. Banns (notices of intentions to marry) were read publicly on three separate Sundays, which gave the opportunity for anyone to object. This gave the opportunity for parents of minors (under the age of 21) or previous spouses to call a halt to the proposed wedding.
It was also possible for couples to marry by licence in a different parish church to that of their residence. By this method banns were not read although it was still possible for someone to call an objection to the marriage at the start of the ceremony.
Because John & Hester Webber had SOJ in the register for there marriage this would show that Shepton Mallet was not their parish of residence.
There residence at that period was around Camerton-Wellow- Dunkerton area which was a fair distance away from Shepton Mallet.
I believe the reason they got married in Shepton Mallet was that they both were very young (16?, possibly pregnant
)and did not have the consent of there parents, and to avoid the banns being read out at there local parish church and any objections being made to there marriage.
Pete
