This article was originally published in the April 2002 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society.

14             26 Feb 1768

Examination of Elizabeth Briggs wife of William, stonemason of Felkirk near Pontefract, Yorks.

She has been married to him about 7 years. He has worked about 3 years as a stone mason at Sir Thomas Sewill’s at Ottershaw, Chertsey, and has left her with two children, one aged 6, the other 4, for the space of 3 months, and she knows not what is become of him. (sig)

296             1 Sept 1775

Examination of Ann Howard, singlewoman of Chertsey

Bastardy 53. Charges Thomas Sewell, labourer, late of Tooting. (mark)