whereas Thos Howchen of Fearing in the county of Essex farmer and Mary Sewell daughter of Jn Sewell of Alphamstone deceased in the county aforesaid having declared their intentions of taking each other in marriage before several public meetings of the people of god called quakers in Earls Colne and Halsted in the county of Essex according to the good order used among them whose proceeding therein after a deliberate consideration thereof with regard unto the righteous law of god and example of his people recorded in the scriptures of truth in that case were approved by the said meetings they appearing clear of all others and having consent of parents and relations and other parties therein concerned now these are to certify all whom it may concern that for the full accomplishing of their said intentions this 9.4.1699 the said Thos Howchen sen and Mary Sewell aforesaid both appe ared in a public assembly of the aforesaid people and others met together in their public meeting place Aldhamow in the county of Essex and in a solemn manner he the said Thos Howchen sen taking the said Mary Sewell aforesaid by the hand did openly declare as followeth friends in the fear of the lord and in the presence of his people I Thos Howchen take this my friend Mary Sewell to be my wife promising to be unto her a loving and tender husband until the lord please to separate us by death and then and there in the presence of the said assembly the said Mary Sewell did in like manner as followeth declare friends in the fear of the lord and before this assembly I Mary Sewell take my friend Thos Howcon to be my husband promising to be unto him a loving and faithful wife until the lord please to separate us by death and the said Thos Howchen aforesaid and Mary Sewell aforesaid as a further confirmation thereof did then and there to these presents set their hands and we whose names are hereunto subscribed being present among others at the solemnizing of their said marriage and subscription in manner aforesaid as witnesses hereunto have also to these presents subscribed our names the day and year above written Thos Howchen Mary Sewell Joseph Sewell Robt Howchen Jn Barnard Wm Fisher Jn Sewell Joseph Sewell Jn Barnard sen Jeff Potter Jas Potter Thos Potter Thos Bundock Robt Lark Jeremiah Spurgin Edw Mines jun Jn Hawkins Martha Barnard Sarah Potter Rebecca Fisher Emm Sewell Martha Potter Emm Sewell Sarah Barnard Sarah Boll Jn Dennis Jn Yapsatt