Lincolnshire Poor Law Bastardy Cases 1841

From the Lincoln, Rutland & Stamford Mercury newspaper

Note: From Anne Cole: "Few Bastardy cases were reported in the newspapers until 1844 when a new Poor Law Act stated that all cases were to be initiated by the mother, who was to apply for an Order of Bastardy at her local Petty Sessions Court after the child had been born. Corroborative evidence was also to be provided. The following are taken from the Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury beginning in 1840. It will be seen that the number of cases being reported increases dramatically in 1844. I have not included details of the amounts to be paid by the putative fathers. The cases are usually to be found on pages two, three or four of the newspaper, in very small writing, with the Petty Sessions reports."

Dates in Bold are newspaper edition dates.
Dates in Italic are the dates and location of the petty session hearings, where given.

12 February 1841 Stamford, Monday last.
Mother: Ann WILEMAN. Putative father: Robert EXTON, tailor.

26 February 1841 Boston Petty Sessions.
Mother: Martha WILSON singlewoman. Putative father: John LEESON of Swineshead, labourer. Female child.

Mother: Mary Ann PATCHETT singlewoman. Putative father: Richard LEEDALL of Fosdyke. Female child.

26 March 1841 Boston Petty Sessions.
Mother: Mary COLLINGWOOD, singlewoman. Putative father: Robert WAINE of Sibsey, laborer. Two bastard children.

13 August 1841 Boston Petty Sessions.
Mother: Ann MOTLEY of Swineshead, singlewoman. Putative father: Wm. WILKINSON a boatman. Male child.

27 August 1841 Boston Petty Sessions.
Mother: Mary DRIVER, singlewoman. Putative father: Henry HOTCHKIN of Sutton, labourer.

12 November 1841 Boston Petty Sessions.
Mother: Susannah BOOTH of Kirton, singlewoman. Putative father: Jos BARBER of South Kyme, labourer.

Thank you, Anne Cole, for the above.