Marriage under 21 who's permission???

[eeyores4me]

as people under the age of 21 would have needed permission from a parent??? in the 1800s what happened if they were dead?? who could they use ??
thanks

[stanmapstone]

The permission had to be from a parent or guardian.

Stan

[Springbok]

But as no proof of age was required ,they could lie.

My Gran married at 17, (in 1897)  but said she was of age, also stated her father was deceased. Not only was he very much alive but when later widowed, went  on to remarry and have another daughter.

Spring

[stanmapstone]

The Act for amending the Laws respecting the Solemnization of Marriages in
England. [18th July 1823]
XVI. And be it further enacted, That the Father, if living, of any Party under Twenty one Years of Age, such Parties not being a Widower or Widow; or if the Father shall be dead, the Guardian or Guardians  of the Person of the Party so under Age, lawfully appointed, or One of them and in case there shall be no such Guardian or Guardians, then the Mother of such Party, if unmarried; and if there shall be no Mother unmarried, then the Guardian or Guardians of the Person appointed by the Court of Chancery,  if any, or One of them, shall have Authority to give Consent to the Marriage of such Party; and such Consent is hereby required for the Marriage of such Party so under Age, unless there shall be no Person authorized to give such consent.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/alm1823.htm

Stan

[eeyores4me]

thanks Spring I have few under age that lied too but this girl was 18 and as far as I know her mother was alive
Stan that makes perfect sense I think???
I just wondered how the authorities knew the parents had consented as I assumed they did not actually see them was it a form to be signed thanks very much

[stanmapstone]

I assume the consent had to be given in writing, and signed and witnessed, but any marriage that had been carried without consent was neither void or voidable. In other words once the couple had got married then the marriage was legal.


Stan

[eeyores4me]

thanks again Stan very helpful