whereas Joseph Cooke of Halstead in the county of Essex yeo and Martha Nickalls of Hatfield Peverell in the county aforesaid widow did propound their intentions of marriage at two several monthly meetings of the people of god called quakers in Witham in the county aforesaid and the meetings having made inquiry concerning them and finding them clear and free of 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 all whom it doth or may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said intentions of marriage the said Joseph Cooke and Martha Nickalls aforesaid did come into our public meetings house in Witham upon the 8.10.1688 and in a public assembly then and there met in our presence did signify their then taking each other in marriage and pronouncing these words followi ng with an audible voice viz the said Joseph Cooke taking the said Martha Nickalls by the hand said friends in the presence of the lord so also before this assembly met I take Martha Nickalls to be my wife to live with her and to be a loving husband unto her until separated by death then the said Martha Nickalls taking the said Joseph Cooke by the hand said friends in the fear of the lord I take this my friend Joseph Cooke to be my husband and promise to be a faithful wife unto him until separated 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 then and there present are witnesses that they were so married Joseph Cooke Martha Cooke Thos Richmond Jane Woodcock Martha Woodcock Edw Eatney Hery Baker (possible mistake for Henry) Hannah Harvey Thos Perry Hugh Nichols Florence Perry Wm Danish