Marriage licences

This is a table of marriage bonds and licences collected by Andy Wine from Family Search images (many thanks Andy)

To see the entire table use the slider at the bottom of the page

Marriage bonds were not made after 1823 only allegations.

It shows intention to marry, that they were free to marry, and if under age they had permission from their parents to marry.

The price on the bond was the penalty if the allegations were false in this case £200. Set high to deter irregular marriages.

Bonds like banns did not always result in a marriage.

It shows the church where the marriage was to take place, sometimes two churches.  Although they didn’t always use the church specified.

Spelling batchelor and bachelor are equally common.

The age 21 and above could mean exactly that or 21-70+years

May be several reasons why they wanted a licence. They may have wanted a private ceremony instead of banns read for 3 weeks in church.

X signifies they made their mark.

YearDayGroomOccupationSuretyOccupationBrideWitnessesChurch
17301730 April 20thJohn Dunham singleman of Fincham, 23CarpenterJohn ChapmanCarpenterMary Foston, 19 singlewoman of FinchamSigned by her guardian(Mary Foston)Fincham   See original for details
17301730 February 7thThomas Wilson John Lovelock Sarah Barnes of WerehamJoseph Forby Thomas Wilson John LovelockWereham or St Michaels
17301730 6th SeptemberWilkinson Firmage of StradsettFarmerWilliam Doffin of StradsettFarmerMary Asplin of Stradsett SinglewomanJoseph Forby Willikinson Firmage X William Doffin XSt Michaels or Stradsett
17301730 May 20th (vicesimo)John Bayley of Hockwold cum Wilton John Wetherall of FinchamYeomanEllen Wetherall spinster of FinchamRichard H? E Brett? John Bayley John WetherallFincham St Martins
17301730 May 20th (vicesimo)John Chapman of FinchamFarmerJacob Marshal of West Winch Elizabeth Foster of FinchamJames Marshall John MoonSt Margarets Lynn Regis
17301730 SeptemberGeorge Thorrold of Narborough Thomas WetherallFarmerMary Grey singlewoman of FinchamJoseph Forby George Thorrold Thomas WetherallFincham St Michaels
17311731 October31st  John Steele Caspar Doe of Fincham Phillipa Ward of Downham MarketJoseph Forby John Steele Caspar DoeDenver
17331733 November 1stJohn Smith of WattonAttorney at LawThomas SpencerWoolcomberAnne Spencer singlewoman of FinchamJosephy Forby John Smith Thomas Spencer (Snr?)Fincham
17331733 January 6thThomas Wetherall of Fincham Widower John Bletheet? Of Lynn Mary Blethett ? singlewoman of LynnThomas Pyle Mary ? Thomas Wetherall John BlethettSt Margarets or St Nicholas of Lynn
17341734 29th SeptemberJames Bonning of Castle AcreCarpenterGeorge Eaton of Castle AcreHusbandmanMary Caton singlewoman of Castle AcreJoseph Forby James Bonning X George Eaton XSt Michaels Fincham
17341734 24th JuneSamuel Cooper of Doddham (?)HusbandmanThomas Young of FinchamFarmerAnne Cook singlewoman of Fincham St MichaelsJoseph Forby Samuel Cooper Thomas YoungSt Michaels Fincham
17341734 13th SeptemberSimon Jacob of WeetingYeomanJohn Lovelock of FinchamJoynerMary Wilson of FinchamWm Harvey Martha Wilson Simon Jacob John LovelockStradsett
17341734 March 31stWilliam Smith singleman of (Hawky ?)BasketmakerJohn Trocker of Barton BendishHusbandmanAnne Thompson singlewoman of (Hawky)  Joseph forby William Smith John Tracket XSt Michaels Fincham
1735  1735 7th September  Francis HardyHusbandmanEdward Deeks (of FinchamSchoolmasterMary Wortley singlewoman of FinchamJoseph Forby Francis Hardy Edward DeekesSt Michaels Fincham
17361736 11th OctoberSamuel Cootes of Lynn Thomas WeatherallFinchamKatherine CraskJoseph Forby Sam. Cootes Tho. WeatherallFincham
17361736 12th MarchJames Dixon of  (Rannound ???) NorfolkHusbandmanJoseph Butter of ShouldhamHusbandmanJudith Saltier singlewoman of ShouldhamJoseph Forby James Dixon Joseph ButterSt Michaels Fincham
17371737 28th JanuaryThomas Wright of FinchamTaylor (sic)Robert Secker of FinchamHusbandmanMary Chopin (Chapin?) singlewoman of FinchamJoseph Forby Thomas Wright Robt. Secker XSt. Michaels Fincham
17371736 14th DecemberOsbert Donton of Weeton Osbert Denton of Weeting???HusbandmanJames WillsonFinchamMargaret Wilson spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Osbert Donton James WilsonSt Martins
17381738 October 16thWilliam Bassum/Barsham of FinchamButcherJames Bassum/Barsham of FinchamShoemakerElizabeth Bristow of DownhamJoseph Forby William Barsham James BarshamDownham
17381738 22nd MarchWilliam Hayden of LynnTaylorRobert Aylmer of Shouldham Elizabeth Blackwell of OxboroughJoseph Forby William Hayden Robert AylmerSt Michaels Fincham
17391739 August 16thWilliam Spencer of FinchamButcherGeorge Young of FinchamTaylor (sic)Constance Smith of West Dereham  James Slipper William Spencer George Young???? Actually married at Tottenhill
17391739 March 11thJames Stringall of StradsettLabourerGeorge Young of FinchamTailorBridgett Whin widow of FinchamJoseph Forby James Stringall George YoungFincham
17401740 10th JuneNicholas Tonge of Faversham KentWoolcomberJames Barsham of FinchamCordwainerBridget Hubbard singlewoman of WimbotshamJoseph Forby Nicholas Tonge James BarshamFincham
17411741 1st DecemberJohn Filby of DownhamCarpenterTheophilos Poll of FinchamHusbandmanMary Whiskerd singlewoman of FinchamJoseph Forby John Filby Theo’s PollFincham St Michaels
17411741 14th MayJoseph Kipping of MarhamLabourerPhilip Tilney of FinchamBarberSarah Beaumont??Anne Chamberlayne Sarah Clark Joseph Kipping X Phillip TilneyFincham
17421742 22nd JulyJohn Bird of Lynn RegisBakerJoshua Wood of Lynn RegisCheesemongerAlice Quarth (??)Joseph Forby John Bird Joshua WoodFincham St Martins
17421742 28th SeptemberFrancis Woodfield of Barton BendishHusbandmanWilliam Wilkin of Barton BendishHusbandmanElizabeth RounceJoseph Forby Francis Woodfield X William Wilkin XFincham St Martins
17431743 May 28thJohn Watts of North PickenhamHusbandmanRobert Hall of North PickenhamHusbandmanElizabeth MachinJoseph Forby John Watts Robert HallSt Martins
17431743 17th JanuaryJohn Malby of HelvingtonHusbandmanJames Malby of ShouldhamDawberAnne Bottom singlewoman of TittershallJoseph Forby John Malby X James MalbyFincham St Martins
17441744 July 31stRichard Driver widower of ShouldhamMillerEdward Deekes of FinchamHusbandmanAnne Pitcher widow of FinchamJoseph Forby Richard Driver Edward DeekesSt Martin’s Fincham
17451745 August 21stRichard Fett of WormegayFarmerJames Barsham of FinchamCordwainerMary Balls spinster of WormegayWilliam Harvey Richard Fett James BarshamSt Martins with St  Michaels Fincham
17451745 7th FebruaryPeter Morton of PentneyHusbandmanChristorpher Morton of PentneyHusbandmanAnne Spooner of PetneyJoseph Forby Peter Morton X Christopher Morton XFincham St Martins
17471747 September 24thJohn Clarke of CranwichShepherdJohn Robert of CranwichFarmer and ButcherSarah Roberts spinster of CranwichWilliam Harvey Edward Deekes John Clark X John Roberts XFincham
17481748 October 6thRobert Dove of ShouldhamHusbandmanNicholas Dowson of Kings LynnCordwainerMary Dunham singlewoman of FinchamThomas Pyle Robert Pyle Robert Dove Nicholas DowsonLynn All Saints
17481748 November 28thJohn Whiteman singleman of FinchamCordwainerRoger Micklefield of WerehamGent.Ann?Eliz. Pigg James Rudland John Whiteman Roger MicklefieldWatton
17481748 0ctober 1stWilliam Layton of IgborowHusbandmanFrancis NewtonHusbandmanJane Chilvers alias Chilverhouse of Igborow widowWilliam Harvey William Layton X Francis Newton XFincham
17481748 October 23rdEdward Harvey of North FakenhamHusbandmanHenry Jex of CrowstonHusbandmanMary Gap widow of North TuddenhamWilliam Harvey Edward Deekes Edward Harvey Henry JexFincham
17481748 May 8thJames Jacobs of FinchamHusbandmanThomas Fuller of FinchamMillerMary Doe Widow and farmer Richard Bull X William Harvey James Jacob X Thomas Fuller XFincham
17491749 October 2nd  Robert Spencer singleman of FinchamMaltsterJames Barsham of FinchamShoemakerMargaret Dunham widow of FinchamThomas Pyle Robert Spencer James BarshamLynn All Saints
17491749 7th SeptemberJohn King of ThetfordButcherJoseph Boyley of Barton BendishFarmerCatherine White of Brandon FerryWilliam Harvey John King Joseph BayleyFincham
17501750William Bland of FinchamThatcherEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanMary Hills spinster of Downham MarketWilliam Harvey William Bland Edward DeekesFincham
17541754 June 28thRichard Driver the younger of FinchamCollar makerRichard Driver the elder of FinchamInn KeeperSusan Pilcher aged abt 19 spinster and Minor of FinchamWilliam Harvey Elliot Fishpool Richard Driver Jnr. Richard Driver SnrFincham Richard Driver Snr married to Susan’s mother gives consent
17541754 January 21stRobert Bullock singleman of FinchamShepherdThomas Fishpool of FinchamFarmerMary Spinks spinster of FinchamWilliam Robert Bullock X Thomas FishpoolFincham
17561756 September 20thWilliam Button widower of FinchamYeomanEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanMary Shearman spinster of FinchamWilliam Harvey William Button X Edward DeekesFincham
17561756 August 10thRobert Oldham widower of FinchamYeomanRichard Driver of Fincham  Collar makerMary Andrews widow of Barton BendishWilliam Harvey Robert Oldman X Richard Driver  Fincham
17571757 December 22ndJohn Mace batchelor of MarhamYeomanThoms Cozens the younger of MarhamYeomanMary Ashill spinster of FinchamWilliam Harvey Edward Deekes John Mace X Thomas CozensFincham
17571757 May 12thRobert Wright batchelor of Stoke FerryThatcherMatthew Wright of Narboro(sic)ThatcherSarah Nichols widow of FinchamRobert Wright Matthew WrightFincham
17571757 May 11thJohn Pitcher batchelor of St Martins of the Oak NorwichWoolcomberEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanElizabeth Sargent widow of FinchamWilliam Harvey John Pitcher Edward DeekesFincham
17581758 December 5thCharles Copeland batchelor of FinchamYeomanEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanMartha Poole spinster aged 20 of FinchamWilliam Harvey Martha Poole Snr Charles Copeland Edward DeekesFincham Martha Poole mother signed the consent
17581758 October 19thWilliam Chesson (the younger) batchelor of FinchamFarmerEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanHannah Carter of FinchamWilliam Harvey William Chesson Edward DeekesFincham
17581758 July 4thArthur Harris batchelor of Upwell Isle of ElyMillerWilliam Rust of FinchamThatcherElizabeth Brighton spinster of FinchamEdmund Barsham Edward Deekes Arthur Harris William RustFincham
17581758 March 27thElliot Fishpool  batchelor of FinchamYeomanHenry Martin of Castle AcreYeomanMary Money spinster of Castle Acre WickenWilliam Harvey Elliot Fishpool Henry MartinFincham
17591759 August 6thJoseph Cross widower of SwaffhamFarmerEliot Fishpool of Castle AcreFarmerAnn Fishpool spinster of FinchamWilliam Harvey Edward Deekes Joseph Cross Elliot FishpoolFincham
17601760 November 16thWilliam Burton batchelor of SwaffhamHusbandmanBenjamin Parker of FinchamJoiner and CarpenterAmey Fishpool spinster of Fincham minor 19 yearsWilliam Harvey Edw. Deekes William Burton Benjamin ParkerFincham Amey Fishpool mother gave her consent
17601760 October 20thEdmund Pettingell batchelor of FinchamComberHenry Hey of Great CressinghamYeomanMary Hey spinster of Great CressinghamWilliam Harvey Edmund Pettingell Henry HeyFincham
17611761 June 8thStephen Parlett batchelor of FinchamGrocerIsaac Barsham of FinchamCordwainerMary Dickinson widow of FinchamWilliam Harvey Edward Deekes Stephen Parlett Isaac BarshamFincham
17611761 January 14thWilliam Piper batchelor of FinchamFarmerGeorge Younge of FinchamGrocerElizabeth Chapman widow of FinchamWilliam Harvey William Piper George YoungeFincham
17611761 March 12thCharles Birbeck of FinchamWoolcomberJohn Pitcher of FinchamWoolcomberDinah Pitcher spinster of FinchamWilliam Harvey Edward Deeke Charles Birbeck John PitcherFincham
17631763 July 12thWilliam Chesson widower of FinchamYeomanHenry Weasenham of StradsettBricklayerMary Harvey widow of FinchamL Shipley Catherine Thorpe William Chesson X Henry Weasenham XSworn at Stradsett
17661766 April 14thJohn Barton singleman of Fincham Thomas Roome of Fincham Susan Driver widow of FinchamL Shipley Michael Dasing(?) X John Barton X Thomas Roome XSworn at Stradsett
17681768 November 23rd  Isaac Barsham batchelor of Fincham Thomas Barsham of FinchamGent.Jane Petch spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Cons.(?) Forby Isaac Barsham Thomas Barsham 
17681768 November 7thJohn Poll widower of FinchamBrickmakerEdward DeekesYeomanMary Fuller spinster of Fincham minor age 18yrsJoseph Forby Elizabeth Fuller John Poll Edward DeekesConsent given by Elizabeth Poll mother
17681768 October 17thThomas Robinson singleman of Stoke Ferry Edward Deekes of Fincham Susan Mayer singlewoman of FinchamL Shipley John Whatson Thomas Robinson Edward DeekesSworn at Stradsett
17681768 May 13thAllen Patterson widower of FinchamYeomanEdward Deekes of FinchamYeomanElizabeth Piper widow of FinchamMary Harvey Joseph Forby Allen Patterson X Edw. Deekes 
17691769 January 24thThomas Arish batchelor of ShouldhamYeomanThomas Snasdell of FinchamFarmerElizabeth Dorman spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Roper Wetherall Thomas Arish X Thomas Snasdell 
17701770 July 13thJames Beckett batchelor of Thorpeland BellinghamYeomanThomas Snasdell jnr. of FinchamFarmerEllen Snasdell spinster 18 yrs. of FinchamElizabeth Rudd X Joseph Forby James Beckett Thomas SnasdellThomas Snasdell Snr. of Wimbotsham gives consent
17711771 October 23rdHenry Bull batchelor of FinchamFarmerJoseph Bull of FinchamFarmerMary Jacobs spinster aged 19Joseph Forby John Poll Henry Bull Joseph BullFincham James Jacobs, father gives his consent
17711771 September 25thJohn Palmer batchelor of MarhamWoolcomberJohn Finch of FinchamGent.Ann Mays spinster of East DerehamThomas Ashill Joseph Forby John Palmer John FinchamFincham
17721772 October 13thJoseph Bull batchelor of FinchamFarmerHenry Bull of FinchamFarmerMildred Kurby spinster of FinchamE Harvey Joseph Forby Joseph Bull Henry BullFincham
17731773 August 12thJohn Frost batchelor of FinchamYeomanEdward Deekes of Fincham YeomanHannah Goodall of Shouldham ThorpeWilliam Harvey Roger Tiffin John Frost Edward DeekesShouldham Thorpe
17731773 August 10thJames Hickes batchelor of DenverClerkThomas Ashill of St Georges Collgate City of NorwichWine MerchantElizabeth Harvey spinster of FinchamWilliam Harvey Roger Tiffin James Hicks Thomas Ashill 
1773  1773 November 12thJohn Hingham singleman of Downham West William Chitney(?) of ShinghamHusbandmanMary Large of Little FranshamJoseph Forby John Hingham William ChetneySt Michaels
17731773 October 28thRobert Say of DownhamGentlemanWilliam Say of DownhamGentlemanElizabeth  Jary??? single woman of DownhamJoseph Forby Robert Say William SaySt Michaels Fincham
17741774 November 9thJohn Cook of Fincham, a minor aged 19 yrs.BakerJohn Beck of FinchamSurgeonMartha Barnard a spinster of WymondhamPhilip Bacon Thomas Forby John Cook John BeckFincham   Son of Stephen Cook baker of Wymondham
17761776 December 16thEdmund Chapman batchelor of FinchamShoemakerWilliam Rust of FinchamVictuallerRebecca Skipper spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Mark Gunton X Edmund Chapman X William Rust 
17761776 May 23rdIsaac Mawby batchelor of FinchamYeomanThomas Forby of Stoke FerryN/KAnn Spinks spinster of FinchamMartha Forby Mary Fulcher Isaac Mawby X Thomas ForbyFincham
17771777 July 23rdJohn Baxter batchelor of WormegayBricklayerRoper Wetherall of FinchamFarmerSarah Reve otherwise Ree spinster aged 19 of FinchamJoseph Forby William Doe John Baxter X Roper WetherallFincham
17771777 April 21stJohn Kurby batchelor of FinchamFarmerWilliam Doe of FinchamFarmerMary Bull widow of FinchamJoseph Forby John Poll John Kurby William DoeFincham
17791779 April 15thStephen Stimpson batchelor of South LynnYeomanRoper Wetherall of FinchamFarmerJane Tyler spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby William Doe Stephen Stimpson Roper WetherallFincham
17801780 July 10thThomas Graver batchelor of FinchamHusbandmanDaniel Sewel of FinchamFarmerFrances Stimpson widow of FinchamJoseph Boon (Forby?) Thomas Kurby Thomas Graver X Daniel Sewel  XFincham
17821782 October 25thWilliam Allison widower of FinchamYeomanJoseph Bull of FinchamFarmerAnn Trundle spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Clement Burton William Allison Joseph BullFincham
17821782 September 19thJohn Thompson widower of Narborow (sic)FarmerJames Parish of FinchamShopkeeperFrances Broughton spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby A Broughton John Thompson James ParishFincham
17821782  February 28thRobert Oliver batchelor of Oxborrow (sic) N/KWilliam Doe of FinchamFarmerMary Complin spinster of FinchamJoseph Forby Benjamin Parker Robert Oliver X William DoeFincham
17841784 November 6thThomas Bland bachelor of FinchamCarpenterWilliam Bland of FinchamThatcherCharlotte Cullen spinster of DownhamThomas Bland, William Bland, Joseph Forby, Martha ForbyFincham
17851785 May 29thWilliam Parker batchelor of FinchamYeomanGeorge Young of FinchamGrocer and DraperSarah Rust widow of FinchamMartha Forby Joseph Forby William Parker George YoungeFincham        
17861786 February 13thIsaac Ashley batchelor of FinchamYeomanClement Burton of FinchamGloverMarie Scarf of Fincham WidowMartha Forby Joseph Forby Isaac Ashley Clement BurtonFincham
17861786 November 7thJames Violin batchelor of FinchamHusbandmanEdmund Barsham of FinchamFarmerAnn Watts spinster of FinchamClement Burton Joseph Forby James Violin X Edmund BarshamFincham
17891789 November 7thGeorge Brock of Stradsett  LabourerDaniel Buckenham of FinchamFarmerMargaret Compling spinster of FinchamJohn Memington (?) Edmund Barsham George Brock X Daniel Buckenham  Fincham   James Brock, lawful father giving consent X
17891789 February 10thRobert Mears batchelor and minor of StradsettYeomanDaniel Buckenham of FinchamFarmerMary Spinks a spinster of FinchamJohn Kurby Robert Forby Robert Mears Daniel Buckenham  Fincham church   Robert Mears Snr giving consent X
17911791 July 3rdWilliam Rising widower of Chippenham Cambs Thomas Barsham of of Fincham Ann Barsham spinster of FinchamMartha Forby Joseph Forby William Rising Thomas Barsham 
17921792 July 8thJames Malt widower of FinchamCordwainerWilliam Tuck (?) of ShouldhamButcherCatherine Masham spinster of ShouldhamMartha Forby Joseph Forby James Malt X William Tuck (?)Shouldham
17931793 October 1stThomas Pate batchelor of Badlingham, CambsFarmerThomas Barsham of FinchamGent.Ellen Barsham spinster of FinchamMartha Forby Joseph Forby Thomas Pate Thomas BarshamFincham
17931793 September 22ndRobert Flood batchelor of FinchamYeomanDaniel Buckenham of FinchamFarmerElizabeth Bolton spinster of FinchamThomas Barsham Joseph Forby Robert Flood Daniel BuckenhamFincham
17931793 December 4thJohn Hubbard batchelor of FinchamCordwainerJoseph Bull of FinchamFarmerDorothy Moss spinster of StradsettFrances Malby Joseph Forby John Hubbard Joseph Bull  Stradsett
17941794  January 9thThomas Bland  widower of FinchamCarpenterJames Garman of FinchamYeomanSuzanne Poll spinster of FinchamThomas Bland, James Garman, Martha Forby, Joseph ForbyFincham
17941794 July 13thWilliam Parlett batchelor of MarhamYeomanJames Parish of FinchamGrocerAnn Machin spinster of FinchamMartha Forby Joseph Forby William Parlett James ParishFincham
17941794 January 24thWilliam Adcock singleman of FinchamYeomanRobert Evans (?) of ChippenhamFarmerMary Howard singlewoman of CambridgeThomas Tooke (?) William Adcock X Robert Evans (?)Chippenham
17951795 March 26th Henry Scatchfield batchelor of Tilney St LawrenceYeomanCharles Brown of Runcton HolmeFarmerElizabeth Carter spinster of FinchamHenry Scatchfield X Charles Brown Philip Bell (Clerk)Fincham
17951795 November 25thThomas Sands batchelor of FinchamFarmerWilliam Doe of FinchamFarmerCatherine Bull spinster of FinchamMartha Forby Joseph Forby Thomas Sands Wiliam DoeFincham
17961796 July 19thJames Matthews batchelor of FinchamWheelwrightJohn Bywater of FinchamFarmerSusan Bywater spinster of ShouldhamJames Matthews John (IB) Bywater Joseph Forby Henry AlexanderFincham
17971797 November 2ndWilliam Taylor batchelor of BoughtonYeomanJacob Bull of FinchamFarmerElizabeth Watson spinster of FinchamWilliam Taylor X Jacob Bull Joseph Forby Thomas CorstonFincham
17981798 October 30thGeorge Sands batchelor of FinchamButcherJohn Browning of SetcheyFarmerMary Roper of Setchey singlewomanStephen Allen George Sands John BrowningNorth Runcton
17981798 August 7thAmbrose Whiteman of FinchamFarmerJoseph Bull of FinchamFarmerCatherine Bull spinster of FinchamJames Garman Joseph Forby Ambrose Whiteman Joseph BullFincham
17991799 August 27thSamuel Perry of SwaffhamBakerJohn Kurby of FinchamYeomanMary KurbySamuel Perry John Kurby Robert Forby George MillersFincham
17991799 March 11thThomas Lawes singleman of FinchamHusbandmanDaniel Buckenham of FinchamFarmerAmey Ashley widow of FinchamThomas Lawes X Daniel Buckenham Joseph Forby Thomas CorstonSwaffham
17991799 April 10thJames Garman batchelor of FinchamYeomanThomas Wright of FinchamCarpenterFrances Malby spinster of FinchamJames Garmen Thomas Wright Martha Forby Mary CorstonFincham
1799  1799 11th November    Isaac Malby widower of FinchamYeomanJames Matthew of FinchamWheelwrightElizabeth Davis singlewoman of FinchamRobert Forby George Miller Isaac Malby X James MatthewsFincham