Probably Slowhand can answer this for me. Were there professional/semi-professional witnesses? Because I have found that Orpheus Lewis seemed to be a witness at about 50% of all marriages between 1837 and 1843 at Chepstow, thereafter wm Edward Lewis seemed to take over the role?

Mary

I would suspect a Parish official - Verger , Clerk etc - who has stepped up as a witness ( on a regular basis !) I doubt he was paid, but perhaps enjoyed an ale / meal afterwards :-)

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>