Somethings as you research your family tree you come across terms that have fallen out of use, such as a "Knobstick" wedding. This was the marriage of a pregnant single women to the reputed father due to pressure from the parish officials. The couple would usually be married by licence obtained by the churchwardens or the overseers of the poor. They forced the couple to marry to prevent the child needing parish relief and so save the parish money. The name Knobstick referred to the churchwardens staves of office, which had a knob on the end. The churchwardens, overseers or parish constable attended the event to ensure the marriage went ahead and often acted as witnesses.
