Fornication Cases in NH Province the 17th and 18th century when
an unmarried woman conceived a child, or when a married couple
had a child prior to six months after marriage, the courts
called them to answer. The unmarried woman was required to name
the father of her child, who was then required to pay
maintenance until the child reached the age of six years. A
typical guilty verdict would bring a fine or whipping by the
civil authorities. These punishments were different from what
the church levied. Which usually required repentance by both
parties and baptism of the |24 April 1693 claimed that his wife
in England was dead and that he had a letter to that effect, and
that Ruth Welcom was his wife now. No identification of the
child. |6 Dec 1692 |This couple married 20 Oct 1692, called to
court, but did not appear. No identification of this child. |7
Dec 1692 Elizabeth Chase chooses the wife of James Chase,
Elizabeth Green, married in Hampton, 2 Nov 1675, to be this
woman. However the record reads that she ha