Where is Ditch Side?

[[Ray]]

Hi Sara

I noticed that one of the sons married in "The Fleet"

Is it me? I don't understand.

[PrueM]

The Fleet was the Fleet Prison.  From trusty Wikipedia:

A Fleet Marriage is the best-known example of an irregular or a clandestine marriage taking place in England before the Marriage Act of 1753 came into force on March 25, 1754. Specifically, it was one which took place in London's Fleet Prison or its environs during the 17th and, especially, the early 18th century.

You can read more about it these marriages here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet_Marriage

The Fleet Prison was next to the Fleet River, which I mentioned in an earlier posting - it's not in the same parish or really the same general area as Shoreditch, which is further east.  YOu can see the Fleet Prison on this map of London, towards the bottom left:
http://www.oldlondonmaps.com/greenwoodpages/greenwoodnorth12b.html
Bridge Street, which runs past the prison and down to the Thames, is built over the top of the Fleet River.

[[Ray]]

Hi PrueM

Sorry, knew about The Fleet, I was questioning "one of the sons".
Me not being clear, AGAIN.

Sorry, AGAIN.

:-)
 

[PrueM]

No worries CG, I was mainly letting Sara know about The Fleet and what a Fleet marriage was

You are hereby excused! 

[geebrooks9]

Hi CroxleyGreen, sorry my fault.  I wondered if the Fleet was near to Shoreditch as one of the families sons married there.
Best wishes, Sara.

[geebrooks9]

Hello Prue, thank you for all the information, very interesting, I will read up on it. Amazing the things that you come across.
Best wishes, Sara.