“1634, April 18. Baptized Steward, daughter of Sir Thomas Stanley, Knight.”—Stepney, London.
“1656, March 24. Douglas Sheffield, daughter of Sir John Sheffield.”—“Lunacy Commissions and Inquisitions,” Record Office.
“1709, Feb. 3. Tankerville Chamberlyne, spinster, daughter of Edward C.”—Ditto.
“1601, Feb. Buryed Handforth, d. Thomas Davenport, a soldier in Ireland.”—Stockport Parish Church.
“1610, July 24. Baptized Kenburrow, ye daughter of Dr. Masters, one of the worshipfull prebendaries.”—Cant. Cath.
“1688, March 29. Baptized Tufton, daughter of the Rev. Dr. James Jefferys, one of the prebendarys of this church.”—Cant. Cath.
Even down to the middle of last century the custom was not uncommonly practised:
“1763, Sep. 15. Thomas Steady, of Chartham, to Chesterton Harnett, of the precincts of this church, spinster, by licence.”—Cant. Cath.
“1759, June 12. Honourable Chatwynd Trumbull, widow.”—“Lunacy Commissions and Inquisitions.”
As to the male heirs, we need not furnish illustrations; they would require too much room: