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)
He had also a private chapel of his own, as we read in an advertisement
of his, April, 1750. "Several persons belonging to Churches and
Chapels, together with many others, supposing the Marriages at May Fair
New Chapel to be detrimental to their interest, have made it their
Business to rave and clamour, but in such a Manner, as not to deserve
to Answer, because every Thing they have said tends to expose their
own Ignorance and Malice, in the Opinion of People of good Sense and
Understanding. We are informed, that Mrs. Keith's Corpse was removed
from her Husband's House in May Fair, the Middle of October last, to
an Apothecary's in South Audley Street, where she lies in a Room hung
with Mourning, and is to continue there till Mr. Keith can attend her
Funeral! The way to Mr. Keith's Chapel is thro' Piccadilly, by the
End of St. James's Street and down Clarges Street, and turn on the
Left Hand. The Marriages (together with a Licence on a Five Shilling
Stamp, and Certificate) are carried on as usual, any time till Four
in the Afternoon, by another regular Clergyman, at Mr. Keith's little
Chapel in May Fair, near Hyde Park Corner, opposite the great Chapel,
and within ten Yards of it. There is a Porch at the Door like a Country
Church Porch."
His wife died in 1749 whilst he was in the Fleet prison, which accounts
for his inability to attend her funeral. Why he was imprisoned is as
follows. By advertising, and other means, his Marriages at Mayfair were
very popular, and interfered greatly with the Vested Interests of the
neighbouring clergy, one of whom, Dr. Trebeck, rector of St. George's,
Hanover Square, brought a lawsuit against him, in the Ecclesiastical
Court. He defended himself, but unsuccessfully, for a sentence of
excommunication was promulgated against him on Oct. 27, 1742.
Two could play at that game, so Keith excommunicated, at his Chapel in
Mayfair, his bishop, the judge who condemned him, and the prosecutor,
Dr. Trebeck, but none of them seem to have been any the worse for
the operation. Such, however, was not the case with Keith, for, on
Jan. 24, 1743, a decree was issued for his apprehension. This did not
take effect till April, 1743, when he was committed to the Fleet; the
marriages at Mayfair being continued, as we have seen, by Symson and
Denevan.
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