| Examination Text | The Examination of Sophia O'Neal removed by an order from the Parish of St Margaret in the city of Westminster to the Parish of St Martin in the Fields within the same Liberty taken this first Day of September 1777. This Examinant on her oath saith that she is 17 years of age and upwards, that she never was married bound an apprentice kept house rented a tenement of 10 pounds by the year paid any parish taxes nor was yearly hired servant in any one place for 12 months together, that her father Francis O'Neal was a Surgeon and lived in and rented an house near the Barn Alehouse in St Martin's Lane in the said Parish of St Martin in the Fields for the space of 17 years at the yearly rent of 53 pounds besides taxes, and that her father died in the occupation of the said house which is about six years ago, And this Examinant on her voluntary oath further saith that she is now big with child or children which he is or are likely to be born a bastard or bastards and to become chargeable to the said Parish of St Martin in the Fields, and that George Chesier a Journeyman Blacksmith and lately worked at Mr Weatherfield's in Salisbury Court in Fleet Street had carnal knowledge of her body about the month of February last in and upon a bed in a back room up two pair of stairs at the house of Mr Price a Victualler in Nottingham Court St Giles's and several times afterwards at the same place at which or one of which times he the said George Chesier did beget her with child or children she now goeth with and is pregnant of and that he the said George Chesier is the true and only father thereof and no man else. Sworn the day and year first above written before [blank]. |
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