Context Note: James was about 25 years old at the time, so consent must have been required from Elizabeth’s parents if she was under age. The event is witnessed by James’s uncle, George, who signs himself (no doubt with some pride) as [parish] ‘clerk’. He is one of the first of that surname whose literacy can be proved. How he learned to write, or from whom, is completely lost to history.
James House of this parish, bachelor, and Elizabeth Arnold of this parish, spinster, were married in this Church by banns, with consent of parents, this twenty fourth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven
By me Henry Boucher, Vicar
This marriage was solemnized between us
The mark X of James House
The mark X of Elizabeth Arnold
In the presence of
James Kellaway
George House, Clark [sic]
(Parish registers of Hilton, Dorset)
Our Family 