The Fleet: Its Rivers, Prison, and MarriagesAshton, John
History
The Fleet: Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages
Ashton, John
Fleet Prison (London, England); Fleet, River (England)
James Lando is somewhat shrouded in mystery, for it is possible that
he was identical with the gentleman who is described at the end of
one of the Fleet Registers as "John Lando, a French Minister, in
Church Street, Soho, opposite att a French pastry or nasty Cook's. His
Landlord's name is Jinkstone, a dirty chandler's shop: he is to be
heard of in the first flower next the skye."
He really was a "Chaplain of the Fleet," for he was Chaplain on board
H.B.M.S. _Falkland_ from May 29, 1744, to Jan. 17, 1746. He had a house
in Half Moon Court, the first house joining to Ludgate, which was at
the Corner of the Old Bailey. This he called St. John's Chapel, and
here he not only solemnized marriages, but taught Latin and French
three times a week.
An advertisement of his states that "Marriages with a Licence,
Certificate, and a Crown Stamp, at a Guinea, at the New Chapel, next
door to the China Shop, near Fleet Bridge, London, by a regular bred
Clergyman, and not by a Fleet Parson, as is insinuated in the public
papers; and that the town may be freed (from) mistakes, no Clergyman
being a prisoner in the Rules of the Fleet dare marry; and to obviate
all doubts, this Chapel is not in the verge of the Fleet, but kept by
a Gentleman who was lately on board one of his Majesty's men of war,
and likewise has gloriously distinguished himself in defence of his
King and Country, and is above committing those little mean actions
that some men impose on people, being determined to have everything
conducted with the utmost decency and regularity, such as shall be
always supported in law and equity."
Burn gives a list of others who married in the Fleet, but does not
pretend it to be exhaustive. Still, the list is a long one.
Bates...
Becket, John 1748
Buckler, Sam. 1732 to 1751
Brayfield, Sam. 1754
Bynes, Benj. 1698 to 1711
Barrett, Mich. 1717 " 1738
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account