Handwriting Confirmation needed please

[Blackmogs]

Can someone confirm that the witness in this marriage is Thomas Batchelor, and if so is his signature the same on the second marriage 'stificate. Thanks lovelies.

 

[Archie's Mum]

No. I think they are totally different.

 

[MollyMay]

Putting the 2 signatures together - I can see differences.
The B looks different and has a 'tail' to the 'a' on the 2nd
The stoke of the 't' looks like it has a loop on the 1st, not on the 2nd
Where they written many years apart?

 

[AnnB]

Very difficult - there are similarities, but there are also differences Like MM I’d like to know how long apart they were written.....

 

[Blackmogs]

Bummocks. The first was at James and Mary's wedding 11 September 1815 Reigate St Mary and the second at Thomas' wedding 11 April 1814 at Chessington. There is another marriage of James Batchelor on 30 November 1816 Reigate St Mary where Thomas was a witness. You can see how many straws I am clutching.

 

[Bay Horse]

Yes, my thoughts too. There are similarities, but I can see why Sue has reservations... one is a far more upright hand.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Could be that as a witness he wasn't fussed how he signed & perhaps he was a bit rushed if there were several marriages that day; but his own marriage? one should really try to be recognised.

 

[GrannyBarb]

The 1816 more closely resembles the 1814. I was going to say if he had a major health event, such as a broken digit or a stroke, the 1815 does not look like the same signature to me. (only an opinion)

 

[Daft Bat]

Also see information in this thread

 

[arthurk]

I was thinking that the 1814 and 1815 ones have a few similarities, but the 1816 one is rather different.

Some of the differences in the 1814 and 1815 ones could possibly be due to where he was when he signed: sitting at a table with plenty of elbow room, or standing up squeezed in a corner of the vestry, with the book skewed at an unusual angle, etc etc.

 

[AnnB]

If I had to choose, I think the 1814 and 1816 ones are similar whilst the 1815 one could be by the same hand, but the jury is still out.....

Here are all three together

 

[Daft Bat]

If I had to choose, I think the 1814 and 1816 ones are similar whilst the 1815 one could be by the same hand, but the jury is still out.....

I think that you could be right....

 

[arthurk]

One of the reasons why I didn't think 1814 and 1816 were the same is that in 1814, the capitals and ascenders are a variety of heights, with the capitals among the highest. in 1816, they're all pretty much the same, except for the 'h' in Thomas, which is rather perversely higher than the 'T'.

There's also the 's' on Thomas...