The name James Hinton appears at the top and then the text reads: Also appeared personally James Horton of the Parish of Whitchurch aforesaid Yeoman & being sworn on the holy Evangelist made Oath as follows (to wit) that he is the lawful Father of the above named Sarah Horton & that he is consenting to the above-named intended Marriage Below that is the signature of James Horton and then the filled in names after 'The said' are Jas Hinton and Jas Horton
Just a couple of other bits That I can't make out What is the word after Lichfield & Coventry ? A bit further down it has the same for Sarah but after Lichfield & Coventry on that it says Spinster. I thought the above might say Bachelor but it looks more like sailor to me. And what is the word after James Collier (Begins with an 'A')
I think it is his occupation -Sailor (or possibly tailor), as I can see the word Batchelor further down. No idea on the A word though perhaps his eclesiastical status?
AM stands for Artium Magister. This is the Latin for MA, a Master of Arts degree. And I agree with Sailor as the occupation - cf 'S' in Salop just above.
It certainly looks like Sailor, as the S is identical to the one above in Salop. Strange profession for somewhere as far from the sea as you can get! The word starting A is a clerical abbreviation of some sort - 'authorised'? and probably qualifies Surrogate in the next line. It's showing that John Collier is the appointed representative of the relevant Bishop or Archdeacon.
