Joseph Bone

[MikeR48]

Hi

A fellow family researcher & I wonder if anyone can shed any light on this document  or know under what circumstances it would have  been issued, would it be in connection with a trade of some sort.

Regards
Mike

[casalguidi]

Hi Mike

It's a certificate for his freedomship of Rochester.  People were usually granted freedom by birthright ie. the son of a freeman, marrying the daughter of a freeman, completion of apprenticeship to a freeman or by purchase etc..  This wiki article might help explain further http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_City

Casalguidi

[MikeR48]

Hi Casalguidi

Thanks very much, will read through the link.

we just hope it's the right Joseph

Regards
Mike

[casalguidi]

The date freedomship was granted may be useful here then.  It was often granted at the age of 21 if by birthright or completion of 7 years apprenticeship thus 1860 could indicate somebody born c1839.  It's worth enquiring as to whether Medway Archives have further records which give further detail as to the granting of freedom for each of their freemen ............ they can be invaluable and often a way of confirming several generations of families.

Casalguidi

[MikeR48]

Hi Casalguidi

Yes he would have been 21, on later census he was a house painter
so that could be right.

Have already  sent copy  to Medway Archives,
Thanks for your interest.

Regards
Mike

[MikeR48]

Hi
Ok, now seem to have a handful of Bone Freeman (buy one get seven free,  ; (some may not be ours)),
A mixture of some by birth and some by apprenticeship.
One which is intriguing.......

“Andrew Blake Bone....... Freeman of Rochester...... (fisherman)  18 May 1818
By birth from Joseph Bone the Elder.”

As Andrew’s father is James ( I have his baptism  5th May 1776) he didn’t gain his freedom from him,  as qualifications for freedom differ between each city would anyone know if Rochester allowed freedom to be passed from Grandfather or other relative, apart from those mentioned by Casalguidi in the post above.

Regards
Mike 

[casalguidi]

I would suggest that the Andrew Blake BONE who obtained his freedom (at age 21?) in 1818 would be the one baptised Chatham 1797 son of Joseph and Elizabeth http://www.familysearch.org

Casalguidi

[MikeR48]

Casalguidi

Thanks, missed that one, first child I had for that couple was Samuel b. 1802
still one of mine then .

bit late now, but will look for  baptisim on cityark tomorrow.

That one doesn't seem to come up on the old IGI ?
he would be the nephew of the Andrew  that I mentioned before.

Thanks again
Regards
Mike