In May 1767 my gggg grandfather was baptised in the Whitchurch parish church, near Tavistock. His name was Wm Wedlake and his mother Elizabeth. He was base born and was christened with his mothers surname, who I have not been able to trace thus far. There is a possible link to an Elizabeth Widlake from Goodleigh, aged 14 years.
In that entire year of 1767 there were 16 baptisms in the Whitchurch church and of those five were base born and one was a "Traveller". This seems a very high proportion of base borns and prompts me to ask if this church was perhaps known for being somewhere that an unmarried mother might be able to have her baby christened.
Or perhaps there might have been a home for unmarried mothers nearby that she travelled from Goodleigh to use.
Any information or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you
John Wedlake
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