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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: FxFocus on Thursday 08 January 15 20:07 GMT (UK)

Title: Could a 15 year old be a witness at a wedding?
Post by: FxFocus on Thursday 08 January 15 20:07 GMT (UK)

I have a wedding in colchester, essex (one of the parish churches) 1816. One witness has the same name as the grooms 15 year old daughter. I should add the groom is a widower.   

Title: Re: Could a 15 year old be a witness at a wedding?
Post by: groom on Thursday 08 January 15 20:12 GMT (UK)

Hi

Have a look at this previous topic on here - it seems the answer is yes they could

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=571030.0

Title: Re: Could a 15 year old be a witness at a wedding?
Post by: FxFocus on Thursday 08 January 15 20:27 GMT (UK)

Thanks groom and apologies to all, I should have done a search before asking.  :)

Title: Re: Could a 15 year old be a witness at a wedding?
Post by: groom on Thursday 08 January 15 20:30 GMT (UK)

Quote from: FxFocus on Thursday 08 January 15 20:27 GMT (UK)

Thanks groom and apologies to all, I should have done a search before asking.  :)

No problem - it popped up on Google when I searched for "ages of witnesses"  ;D

Title: Re: Could a 15 year old be a witness at a wedding?
Post by: Redroger on Friday 09 January 15 22:09 GMT (UK)

15 was certainly considered old enough for a marriage witness. However, as the case I am about to detail shows in cases of death etc, a witness could be considerably younger.

My grandmother killed herself in 1901; my grandfather had gone to work; and the people remaining in the house were herself; my father aged 2, and his cousin who was visiting aged 8.

The coroner called the 8 year old boy as a witness, to the effect that there was no one else who could give evidence as my father was obviously too young, and in any case slept through the incident. The boy found her body and raised the alarm.