Sojourner

[Colin Moretti]

From the Marriage register, Eaton Socon, 1820

John Cadwell, Sojourner of this Parish, bachelor
and Mary Cooper of this parish, spinster
were married ......

Can anyone tell me what sojourner might be in this context? Does it just have the normal meaning of visitor or are there special connotations, for example in relation to the poor laws?

John and Mary lived in the parish after the marriage and their child was baptised there 11 months later. Mary and the child died within a couple of months of the birth and John continued to live there, remarrying in 1825; he was then described as widower, as one would expect.

Many thanks

Colin

[Peter Goodey]

"or are there special connotations, for example in relation to the poor laws?"


Spot on!

It underlines the absence of legal settlement. Or don't come looking for a handout from us!

[Colin Moretti]

Thanks for confirming that, Peter.

As a supplementary, can anyone tell me if my John Cadwell could have been granted (if that's the right word) settlement in the parish at a later date, for example by the time of his second marriage? The children from this marriage were all baptised in the nearby parish of Great Paxton so perhaps he wasn't.

Thanks

Colin

[Peter Goodey]

I think he would have had to have worked in the parish for 12 months. Perhaps his work was in Great Paxton?

[Pam Downes]

Hi Colin,
I don't know if this will be of any help in understanding Poor Law, settlements, etc.
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LIN/#Poorhouses
Pam Downes

[Colin Moretti]

Hello Pam

Thanks for the link, I shall follow it up.

Much more research clearly needed on John

Colin

[JanM]

Many thanks to you all for that, from me as well, very helpful. I have that same issue with (who I think is) my gt-gt-gt grandfather in Shaftesbury. He also remained and settled in the parish.
Jan