312 Chippenham, and the Neighbourhood, 



died in September, 1643, and no entry is made for ten years till 

 Berry's appointment in 1G53; and then the entries are regular, 

 apparently all in Berry's hand, till his own death in November, 

 1G58, when they are continued by the Vicar, Jonathan Geare. 



The register of marriages is very imperfect — for nearly forty 

 years before 1653, no record at all is existent ; then the new act 

 comes in force, and it is recited in full in the register. Notice was 

 to be given to the registrar of the names, parents' names, and 

 abode of the parties proposing to be married, and the same were 

 to be published by the registrar, on three several Lord's days, at 

 tbe hour of the morning exercise, between the hours of 11 and 2 

 p.m., in the public meeting place, commonly called the Church or 

 Chapel, or if desired, in the public market place next to the said 

 church or chapel, on three market days. Now to come to the first 

 marriage under the new act. The parties contracting are George 

 Sargent of Nettleton, and Elizabeth Brown, of Chippenham — 

 notice of their intention was duly proclaimed in church by E. Berry, 

 on December 4th, 18th, 25th, at the closes of the several morning 

 exercises, and no exception had. Whereupon a certificate was 

 issued of due proclamation by the registrar, at a cost of 12d.; armed 

 with which document George and Elizabeth appear before Edward 

 Stokes, Esq., J.P., either at Capt. Taylor's at the White Hart, in 

 Chippenham, or at Mr. Stokes's house at Tytherton Lucas, with 

 two or more witnesses, who are examined on oath touching the 

 truth of the premises ; and then George takes Elizabeth by the 

 hand, and says, " I, George, do here in the presence of God, 

 the searcher of hearts, take thee, Elizabeth, for my wedded wife, 

 and do also in the presence of God, and before these witnesses, 

 promise to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband." Elizabeth 

 on her part now takes George by the hand, and says the same words, 

 mutatis mutandis, with the addition that she will be " obedient," 

 as well as " loving and faithful." Justice Stokes then declares them 

 to be husband and wife— they pay 12d. and no more, for entry in 

 the register ; and the ceremony is over. If they required a certi- 

 ficate from the Justice, they had another 12d. to pay. And such 

 marriage was to be held good and sufficient in law, and no other 



