CUMBERLAND-L Archives

Archiver > CUMBERLAND > 2007-03 > 1174441824


From: "Chris Dickinson" <>
Subject: Re: [CUMB] Mary Fletcher IGI entry
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 01:50:24 -0000
References: <BAY140-F2470065A1ED4D7032036E4E4750@phx.gbl>


Nelda Percival wrote:

<snip>
>MARY MRS FLETCHER, Female Family
>Marriages:
> Spouse: WILLIAM GILPIN Family
> Marriage: 06 DEC 1688 Bridekirk, Cumberland, England

The entry reads (from a transcript):

1688
Dec. 6 William Gilpin of Scaleby, Esq., and Mrs. Mary Fletcher of Talentyre
and Mr. Mathew Partis of Newcastle and Anna Fletcher of Talentyre


Matthew Partis was an important tobacco merchant - and Anne inherited
Tallentire Hall.


<snip>
>OK Here's the problem. Notice the Mrs Mary Fletcher? THis to me means she
>was married/widowed/divorced?

No, at this date Mrs was an honorific given to any lady of gentle birth and
demeanour, whether spinster or married - though, on this occasion, it looks
as though the writer is using it in a modern sense.


I don't know offhand about the Gilpin/Fletcher marriage. Henry Fletcher of
Tallentire had married Mary, daughter of William Brisco of Croften; so this
may be his widow. I'm sure I've read this or seen a tree of it somewhere,
but can't find it at the mo. Fletcher is a well researched family - someone
on this list should know.


Chris

This thread: