RootsChat.Com

On the contrary, a lot of people could sign their name by 1800, which is why i brought up the subject. Seems an ancestor's son signed his sister's marriage cert at 15.

I'm sure many could, but the majority couldn't.  A signature on a copy certificate (after 1837 at least) will be a copy signature, naturally.  I have seen some where the copyist cleric seems to have tried to vary his handwriting to improve appearances.

I have also seen an original cert filled in by a cleric where the bride very clearly signed differently - I think it was Hayward and Heywood.  They sound the same, and the cleric will have written what he thought he heard, which is what happened when customers had no idea how to spell their names 'correctly'.  I have transcribed a Lancashire parish with the same rector for over 50 years, who used Haworth or Howarth apparently randomly.  I suppose two lines may have demanded opposite spellings - I don't know.

There may have been, but given the number of under-age lads who enlisted in WW1, I doubt that it could have been rigidly enforced.  I suppose in many parishes clerics might have had a good idea of youngsters' ages, but I wouldn't make any strong assumptions.

Thanks what is Yeoman, is that a profession?  Never heard of it, still not sure if it is the right person as never heard of him being a merchant, presume that is a navy man

A yeoman was a cut or two above Ag.Labs in having a stake in the farm where he lived, usually as a tenant or leaseholder.  Ag.Labs were typically hired each autumn and often had to move their family to a different tied cottage.
My 3g-grandfather was a yeoman farmer in Devon and accumulated several hundred pounds which he bequeathed to several descendants in his 1850 will.

I seem to recall someone asking this question here a few months ago.  Have a look through the back numbers, rather than repeat the whole thing ?