Naturalization (Persons Born Abroad During the War) Act 1697

Reason for passing this Act.

Children of Persons, Natural-born Subjects and in the Service of the King, or of the King and the late Queen, born out of the King's Dominions since 13th February 1688, and since the Beginning of the War, and before 25th March 1698, declared Natural born Subjects.

Whereas during the late Warr with France divers of His Majesty's good and lawfull Subjects as well of the Nobility as others did by reason of their Attendance on His Majesty in Flanders and bearing Armes under His said Majesty against the French King and other His Majesties Enemies reside in Parts beyond the Seas out of His Majesties Dominions And whereas dureing such their Residence abroad divers Children have been borne unto such His Majesties Subjects which said Children notwithstanding they have been borne of English Parents yett by reason of their being borne in Parts beyond the Seas out of His Majesties Dominions may be interpreted to be incapable of taking receiving or enjoying any Mannors and Lands or any other Priveledges and Immunities belonging to the liege People and natural borne Subjects of this Kingdome In Consideration whereof and of the Service of His said Majesties dutifull and loyal Subjects abroad Be it enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Co[m]mons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That Francis Colenbine & Ventris Colenbine Sons of Colonel Ventris Colenbine and Barbara his Wife Robert Wroth Son of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wroth and Knightley his Wife John Gysbert Farwell an Infant Son of Lieutenant Colonel John Farwell and Elizabeth his Wife Thomas Uthwat Son of Richard Uthwat and Martha his Wife and all other Persons who att any time since the Thirteenth Day of February One thousand six hundred eighty and eight or att any time since the beginning of the [X1 said] late Warr with France c before the Twenty fifth Day of March One thousand six hundred ninety and eight which are or shall be borne out of His Majesties Dominions and whose Fathers or Mothers were natural borne Subjects of this Realme and were then actually in the Service of His Majesty or of His Majesty and the late Queen of Blessed Memory are hereby declared and shall forever be esteemed and taken to all Intents & Purposes to be and to have been the Kings natural borne Subjects of this Kingdome and that the said Children and all other Persons borne as aforesaid and every of them are and shall be adjudged reputed and taken to be in every respect and degree natural borne Subjects and free to all Intents Purposes & Constructions as if they & every of them had been borne in England.

Editorial Information

X1 interlined on the Roll.