Baptism entry.

[larkspur]

The baptism entry says " Bapt August 6th 1792 brought to Church Sep 9th 1792" Could someone please clear this up for me. Is that when his mother was "brought to church" or could it be the babies burial? He was certainly deceased by 1800 as the parents had another son by the same name, but I have not found a burial for him. Thank you in advance for any help.

[Pheno]

It generally implies that the baby was poorly and not expected to survive so was baptised shortly after birth at home.  However it did survive at least long enough to attend church, where it couldn't be baptised again so was noted as having been brought to the church.

Pheno

[larkspur]

Many thanks Pheno. That explains that one.

[Bookbox]

Being 'received into the church' is part of the sacrament of baptism, which is why it may be noted in the register for those baptised at home. It's not simply a record having attended church.

[MollyC]

The Book of Common Prayer has two forms of service, Private Baptism... in houses and Publick Baptism... in the church.  Although we tend to view the latter as a small family occasion, properly it seems to have been conducted during a regular service, after the second lesson.  Therefore the child was received into the congregation at baptism.

The private baptism service is very short, three prayers and "I baptise thee... ".  It is followed by a form of words to be used when the child was first brought to church.  The minister certified the time and place of the private baptism and the godparents gave the name of the child, who was then received into the congregation - plus prayers etc.

Amended

[larkspur]

Many many thanks for the replies. Iam never disappointed with this site and the knowledge of it's members.