June the 16th, 1801 written for Sarah Kesterton, widow
to:
Mary Kesterton
At the Bull's Head
End Row, near Camphill
Birmingham
Dear Mother,
I once more take the opportunity of writing to you and hope that you
are in Perfect health. I am as well as can be expected considering
the loss of my dear husband which to me is a very great afflicion, and
I am in such a situation that I know not which way to get bread for my
children. So, Dear Mother, I Beg that you will be so good to go to the
Parish Officers at Aston, And say My case before them as I have nothing
to support myself and am in a Poor State of health. So would Esteem it
a favour if they would allow me something weekly for our support or I
must be obliged to come to Aston. To get into the house as I can have
no relief. Here, Aston, Being my husband's Parish. I would not since
make Application could I any way have done without. Please shew this
Letter to the gentlemen and Let me have an answer as soon as Possible as
I am in the greatest distress imaginable. I Remain, dear Mother, your
dutiful daughter.
Sarah Kestorton
The Overseers of Aston responded to Sarah's plea
To Sarah Kesterton at the Coopers
Arms, Barrack Street, near the
Marine Barracks
Portsmouth
With Speed
The Overseers of Aston, near Birmingham, desire
The Examination of Sarah Kesterton may be taken
As to the place of her last Legal Settlement, where
She was Married, and the Ages of the Children And
whether they are Apprentices, or fit to go to Service
or Apprentice -- and if they find the Matter before
them Right. The Overseers wil allow What is Right.
-- But the Matter, must come Through the Overseers
Hands, and Not from the Woman Herself. Signed by
2 Magistrates --
The Overseers of Aston Parish
Jos. Line, John ? Win, John Moss, Jos. Waldron.
?July 9th, 1901
Direct to W.M.Barrett
Aston near Birmingham
Sarah Kesterton's Examination
from a Copy of the Examination book
Borough of Portsmouth} Sarah Kesterton, Widow of Wm Kesterton,
lately residing in the Parish of Portsmouth in the said Borough,
Master of Arms of His Majesty's Ship Anson, on her Oath Saith
that her said Husband Died at Haslar Hospital on the Second day
of June instant and that he frequently informed Her before his
Death that his Parish or place of Settlement Was in the Parish
of Aston near Birmingham and that he gained Such Settlement by
his being born in that Parish and having When he was a very
Young Man entered into the Marines and never Doing any thing in
his own right to gain a Settlement, that she was Married to her
said Husband about thirteen years ago at Kingston Church in the
Parish of Portsea whilst he was a Marine in the said Borough, that
she hath two Children by her said Husband to wit Benjamin aged
about Eight Years who hath never done any thing In his own right
to gain a Settlement, and George aged about three Years.
Sworn at Portsmouth in this said Borough
This 23rd Day of June 1801 Before us two of His
Majesty's Justice of the Peace for the said Borough
Signed {John Caster, Mayor,
Wm Goldson}
and The Mark of X Sarah Kesterton
John Bailey, Overseer of the Poor of Portsmouth
added a few notes (somewhat difficult to transcribe) on
August 31, 1801.
?I, At the Request of the Parish Officers of the Parish of Aston
near Birmingham, herewith send you a Copy of Sarah the Widow of
William Kesterton, examination, before two Magistrates of the
Peace for this Borough--make no doubt but You will allow them
as much as you may do in those Cases, if you do not allow them
enough to prevent them from being a burden to this Parish we shall
be under the Necessity of Removing them, but make no doubt but you
will allow them what is Right. We will pay them what you with-draw
on you for the Same.
I am with our Relief -- waiting Your early Reply.
(?Your Obedient Servant)
John Bailey
Overseer of the Poor of the Parish of Portsmouth
P.S. There have been already been Relieve from this Parish
or they must have starved for want.
[i.e. They have already received some Relief from this Parish, or
they would have starved to death.]
