Naturalisation Act

[rogerb]

I found a document on line at the national archives entitled the "Naturalisation Act" and seems to be dated 1688-1689.

It starts:

"Certificates that the following persons (named in the Act) have received the Sacrament according to the usage of the Church of England, viz."

And goes on to name 51 people such as:

"3) Richard Hammaker, on 5 Feb 1698-9, at the Parish Church of St. Martin's, Westminster, Signed Tho. Yates, A.M., Curate, Fra. Boteler, Churchwarden. Attested by William Dornell, John Hill and Cutts Hassan."

What is happening here?  Is Richard Hammaker getting British Citizenship?  And what role to the attestees take?

It is Cutts Hassan that I have been looking at.

Roger

[stanmapstone]

Before 1844 naturalisation was granted only by a private act of parliament and no person could be naturalised unless they had received the sacrement of the Lord's Supper and professed the true Protestant religion. The attestees would be to confirm that he had taken the sacrement.
This meant for instance that a conscientious Jew, being unwilling to take the sacrement could not obtain naturalisation by means of a private Act of Parliament.
Stan

[stanmapstone]

unless they had received the sacrement of the Lord's Supper and professed the true Protestant religion.

They also had to take oaths of supremacy and allegiance.
See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/oath-rolls.htm
Stan

[stanmapstone]

Just to add that they had to receive the sacrament within three months before taking the oaths, and at the time and place of taking the oaths produce a certificate signed by the person administering the sacrament, attested by two witnesses.

Stan

[rogerb]

Excellent - thanks Stan.