whereas Thos Stamers of Kelvedon in the county of Essex cordwinder and Mary Bell of Stisted in the county aforesaid widow propounded their intentions of marriage unto several meetings of the people of god called quakers in Earls Colne and Halsted and the meetings having made inquiry concerning them and finding them clear and free from all other persons and nothing appearing to hinder their said intentions of marriage the said meetings gave their consent in the matter these are therefore to certify to all whom it doth or may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said intentions the said Thos Stamers and Mary Bell did come into our public meeting house in Coggeshall Magna in the county aforesaid upon the 14.11.1686 and in a public assembly then and there met in our presence did then signify their then taking each other in marriage pronouncing these words following with an audi ble voice viz the said Thos Stamers taking the said Mary Bell by the hand said friends I would have you take notice that I take this my friend Mary Bell to be my wife desiring to be unto her a tender husband until such time the lord please to separate us by death then the said Mary Bell taking the said Thos Stamers by the hand said friends in the fear of the lord I take Thos Stamers to be my husband desiring to be unto him a tender and loving wife until the lord separate by death and for the better confirmation of this their said marriage the parties above named have hereunto first subscribed their own names and we who were there and then present were witnesses that they were so married Thos Stamers Mary Stamers Jn Bell Wm Stamers Robt Ludgater sen Jos Drywood Robt Ludgater jun Jn Bayly Jn Friet Sam Gredly Jn Deledike Jonas Cockerton Mary Bell Eliz Bell Hannah Friyet Mary Bayly Sarah Lawrance