Footnote on baptisms by relatives in 1715 London

Question byTravHard: “In 1715 London, new parents had to take their newborn to be baptized in the Church of England. Was it permissible in those years for a relative to take a couple's baby to be baptized?”

Answer by Claude.ai:

In 1715 London, baptism in the Church of England was indeed a common and expected practice for newborns. Regarding your specific question about whether relatives could bring a baby for baptism:

It was generally permissible and sometimes even necessary for relatives to bring a baby to be baptized in the Church of England during this period. There were several reasons for this:

Parental health: If the mother was still recovering from childbirth or if either parent was ill, a relative might step in to ensure the baptism took place promptly.

Urgency: There was a strong belief that unbaptized infants were in spiritual danger, so baptisms were often performed as soon as possible after birth. If parents were unable to attend quickly, relatives might take on this responsibility.

Social customs: Godparents often played a significant role in the baptism ceremony, and these could be relatives of the child.

Practical considerations: In cases where parents were unavailable due to work or other obligations, trusted family members could stand in.

However, it's important to note that while relatives could bring the child, they typically needed the parents' consent and would need to provide the child's name and other necessary information. The Church generally preferred that at least one parent be present if possible, but made allowances when this wasn't feasible.

TravHard:

The parish was St Mary's Whitechapel, Stepney and the substitute was possibly the father's relative.

Claude.ai

Thank you for providing those specific details. This information helps us focus on the particular context of St Mary's Whitechapel in Stepney, which was indeed an important parish in early 18th century London.

Given this context:

St Mary's Whitechapel: This was a significant parish church in the East End of London, serving a diverse community that included both wealthy merchants and poorer working-class families.

Stepney area: In 1715, this was still a semi-rural area on the outskirts of London, though rapidly urbanizing. It had a mix of long-established families and newer arrivals drawn by economic opportunities.

Father's brother as substitute: It was quite common and generally acceptable for an uncle to stand in for the father at a baptism. This was especially true if it was the father's brother, as he would typically share the family name and could provide necessary family information.

In this specific case, it's highly likely that the father's brother would have been permitted to bring the child for baptism at St Mary's Whitechapel. The church records from this period often noted who brought the child, so if available, these could confirm this arrangement.

SECONDARY NOTES NOT IN MAIN INQUIRY

Another possibility for the parents of Samuel Harding: England Select Marriages, 1538-1973. John Harding married Elizabeth Parnell 7 Jun 1683, St James, Dukes Place, London (Samuel b. 9 years after marriage.) The location fits poorly with Samuel Harding’s Westminster baptism.