Lincolnshire Poor Law Bastardy Cases 1848

From the Lincoln, Rutland & Stamford Mercury newspaper

Dates in Bold are newspaper edition dates.
Dates in Italic are the dates of the petty session hearings.

 7 January 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 31 December 1847
Jas. GIBBONS of Boston, bricklayer, was brought up under a warrant for disobeying an order in bastardy for the support of a child belonging to Mary Ann MASON, singlewoman: he paid the arrears due and was discharged.

21 January 1848

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 3 January
Mary BELL, of Market Rasen, singlewoman, applied for an order upon Jos. DIXON, late of West Rasen, carpenter, for the maintenance of her bastard child: order made for 1s. 6d. per week, with costs and 10s. for midwife.

Eliz COUPLAND, of Normanby on the Wold, singlewoman, made a like application for an order upon John FISH, of Kirkby cum Osgodby, laborer: order made for 1s. 6d. per week with costs and 10s. for midwife.

28 January 1848

Alford Petty Sessions 18 January
Eliza BROWNE, singlewoman, of Mablethorpe, applied for an order in bastardy on Wm. BURNELL, of Scamblesby, groom to Mr. W. MARTIN: ordered to pay 2s. per week from the date of application.

Charlotte SCRIMSHAW, singlewoman, of Alford, applied for an order under similar circumstances on John CLAYTON, journeyman miller, of Stickney: the defendant in this case appeared to be an old tactician, from the manner of defence adopted by him: ordered to pay 2s. per week from the date of application and 10s. expenses.  

4 February 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 2 February
Jos. ROBINSON, of Thorpe, farmer, appeared to a summons obtained by Mary TAYLOR, of Leake, singlewoman, for an order of maintenance of her bastard child the hearing of which was adjourned to Wednesday next.

Lincoln Petty Sessions 27 January [extracted from a very long report]
Sarah BROUGHTON appeared to swear an illegitimate child to Mr. Jos. BIRD, farmer, of Navenby...... Mr. Bird to pay 5s. weekly for the first six weeks after the child's birth, and 2s. 6d. weekly subsequently. Notice of appeal was given.

11 February 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 9 February
An order was made upon Jos. ROBINSON, farmer, of Thorpe, for payment of 2s 6d a week, and expenses, towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Mary TAYLOR, of Leake, singlewoman, who was formerly servant to the defendant. Mr. YORK attended on behalf of Robinson, and endeavoured to saddle the child upon a man named GILDING, but the evidence was not sufficiently strong for the purpose.

An order was made upon Wm. JOHNSON, of Swineshead, groom, for payment of 2s a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Eliz. JACKSON, of Donington, singlewoman.

Grantham Petty Sessions 4 February
Jos. MORRISON, of Hose, was ordered to pay 1s 6d per week towards the maintenance of the illegitimate daughter of Eliz. BRADLEY, of Welby.

25 February 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 23 February
An order was made upon Fras. POORMAN, of Pointon, servant, for payment of 1s 6d per week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Mary Ann BATES, of Bicker.

Stamford Petty Sessions 19 February.
Thos. LITTLEDIKE, wheelwright, was adjudged to be the father of Susannah BARLOW's illegitimate child, and ordered to pay 1s 6d weekly towards its support, and also the costs of affiliation.  

3 March 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 1 March
An order was made upon Isaac DAUBNER, of Freiston, labourer, for payment of 2s. per week towards the support of a bastardy child belonging to Ann TROLLOPE, of Freiston, singlewoman.

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 21 February
John FISH, of Kingerby, labourer, was brought up under a warrant to answer the complaint of Eliz. COUPLAND, for disobedience of an order in bastardy made upon him for the maintenance of her bastard child. Fish refusing to pay arrears, costs, etc., was committed to Kirton house of correction for six weeks.

Rt. GOY, of Fiskerton, labourer, appeared to answer the complaint of Mary Ann ROBERTS, of Binbrook, single-woman, for an order of maintenance upon him of her bastard child: order made for 5s. per week for the first six weeks, and from the expiration of the first six weeks after the birth of the child the sum of 2s. 6d. per week.

10 March 1848

Grantham Petty Sessions 3 March
Chas. WILKINSON, bricklayer, of Marston, was ordered to pay £1 9s. expenses, and to contribute 2s. 6d. per week towards the maintenance of the illegitimate daughter of Mary WILSON. Defendant had married another woman a short time ago.

17 March 1848

Gainsborough Petty Sessions 19 February
Jane COOPER, of Walkerith, single-woman, applied for an order on John FENTON the younger, of Walkeringham, blacksmith, to support a bastard child. Mr. OLDMAN appeared for complainant, and defendant appeared personally; the evidence was heard, and an order made for 1s. 6d. a week from the birth of the child.

Stamford Petty Sessions 18 March
Wm. SEWELL of Empingham, labourer, appeared under a warrant, to answer the charge of Maria WARD, singlewoman, for non-performance of an order in bastardy: he was committed to gaol, soon after which the money was paid.

Boston Petty Sessions 15 March
An order was made upon John WEST, of Skirbeck, yeoman, for payment of 2s. 6d. a week and costs towards the maintenance of a child belonging to Eliz. WHATTAM, singlewoman.  

7 April 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 5 April
An order was made upon Sam. Geo. SEWARD, of Quadring, for payment of 2s.6d. a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Frances HARRISON, of Quadring, singlewoman.

Mr. STANNILAND appeared on behalf of Henry HALLAM, of Swineshead, farmer, to answer a summons obtained by Ann WALKER, of Bicker, singlewoman, for an order in bastardy, the further hearing of which was adjourned to Wednesday next.

14 April 1848

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 3 April
Martha WASS, of Market Rasen, single-woman, applied for an order of maintenance upon John KENNINGTON of her bastard child. Kennington not appearing, an order was made upon him for payment of 1s 6d per week.

Jos. MILNER, of Binbrook, labourer, appeared to answer the complaint of Harriet FRIDLINGTON, of the same place, single-woman, for an order of maintenance upon the said Jos. Milner of her bastard child: order made in this case for 2s per week from the birth of the child.

Lincoln. The City Magistrates, on Saturday last, committed for three months John BURTON, for disobeying the magisterial order to contribute to the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Sarah BURTON.

Louth Petty Sessions 7 April
John WILLEY, hair-dresser, was charged by Eliza JACKSON, late in the service of Mr. PETERS, in Eastgate, with being the father of her bastard child: defendant denied the charge, and it appeared in evidence that he was in the habit of going to Mr Peters' home to shave a gentleman who lodged there, and that on several occasions in May last he made a mistake, and instead of going up-stairs to shave the gentleman he went down into the kitchen: ordered to pay 1s per week.

21 April 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 19 April
An order in bastardy was made upon Henry HALLAM, of Swineshead, farmer, for payment of 4s per week for the first four weeks, 2s a week afterwards, and costs, for the maintenance of a bastard child born of the body of Ann WALKER, of Bicker, single-woman.

Boston Petty Sessions 14 April
John MASSEY was brought up under a warrant for disobeying an order in bastardy: he paid the arrears due, amounting to 14s, and was discharged.

28 April 1848

Louth Lindsey Petty Sessions 19 April
An order was made for 2s per week upon Rd. MITCHINSON, for the maintenance of Frances NAYLOR's illegitimate child.

19 May 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 17 May
Jas. DAWSON, of Kirton Holme, farm servant, appeared to a summons obtained by Eliz. CARLTON, of Wigtoft, singlewoman, for an order to maintain her bastard child, the further hearing of which was adjourned to Wednesday the 31st inst.

Louth Petty Sessions 11 May
Wm. SLEIGHT, gardener, was charged by a prostitute named HOODLASS with being the father of her bastard child: case dismissed.

Gainsborough Petty Sessions 11 May
Ann GARNETT, of Gainsboro', applied for an order on Jos. OSBORNE, plumber, to support a bastard child: order refused.

26 May 1848

Grantham Petty Sessions 19 May: Bastardy:
Geo HALLAM, of Spittlegate, for C. P. PROCTOR's daughter, of Syston, 1s 6d per week, 10s. midwifery and £1 17s 3d expenses: defendant has been employed at Lincoln

John REYNOLDS consented to pay 1s 6d per week towards the maintenance of the child of Mary PEPPER, of Long Bennington.

John SHELBOURN, of Casthorpe, to pay 1s 6d per week as father of the child of Eliz. BRADFORD of Lenton.

Wm. PILGRIM, of Stubton, consented to pay 1s 6d per week, and £1 8s 6d expenses, on a similar charge by Ann TAYLOR, of that place.

Thos. CULLEN, of Rolston, a farmer's son, was accused of being the father of the illegitimate child of Ann ROBINSON. It was stated that defendant had pressed the poor girl to take something to destroy the child, and failing in that, the night before she left he fired a gun at her in the garden, the object of which may be imagined. The poor girl's evidence being deficient, the order could not be granted.  

2 June 1848

Louth Petty Sessions 16 May
John PANTON, labourer, of Welton le Wold, was charged with disobeying an order made upon him for the support of Eliz. MANBY's bastard child: ordered to pay £2 arrears and costs forthwith, or to be committed to prison.  

9 June 1848

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 5 June
Jas. FOSTER, of Tealby, gardener, appeared to answer the complaint of Ellen LURGARD, single-woman, for an order of maintenance of her bastard child: order made upon Foster for payment of 1s 6d per week from the birth, 10s for the midwife, and the costs incurred.

Charlotte BLANCHARD, of Tealby, single-woman, obtained a warrant against Matthew WADDINGHAM, of Dunholme, labourer, for disobedience of an order in bastardy.

Grantham Petty Sessions 2 June
Caroline JORDAN, of Carlton Scroop, obtained an order of 1s 6d per week and £3 4s 6d expenses for the maintenance of her illegitimate son, on Julius BLAKE, of Sutterton.

Jas. JACKSON, of Grantham, was ordered to pay 1s 6d per week for the maintenance of the child of Jane PIDD, of Spittlegate.

23 June 1848

Louth (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 14 June
An order was made upon Allan LARDER, of Yarborough, for the maintenance of Sarah STORR's illegitimate child.

Alford Petty Sessions 20 June
Ann JACKLIN, single-woman, of Theddlethorpe, applied for an order of affiliation on Thos. PARKER, shoemaker, of Louth: ordered to pay 1s 6d per week from the date of the application, and 10s expenses.

28 July 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 26 July
An order was made upon Thos. HARRISON of North Kyme, servant, for payment of 2s a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Ellen SMEDLEY, of Quadring, singlewoman.

Louth Borough Petty Sessions 21 July
Hy HOBSON, of the Waterloo inn, Laceby, was charged by Martha ARLISS, of Louth, with being the father of her bastard child. Sarah Ann Hobson, the sister and younger brother of defendant, were summoned by the complainant to give evidence in support of her case: in cross-examination a most disgusting scene of licentiousness was brought to light: ordered to pay 1s 6d per week, and £3 0s 9d costs.

Amos LISTER, of Baumber, was charged by Ann BELLAMY, of Louth, with being the father of her bastard child: to pay 2s per week and costs.

11 August 1848

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 7 August
John DENT, of Great Coates, appeared for an on behalf of Fred DENT, of the same place, to answer the application of Mary ROWSON of Binbrook singlewoman, for an order of maintenance of her bastard child: ordered to pay 1s 6d per week, 10s for the midwife, and costs incurred.

Boston Petty Sessions 4 August
An order was made upon Wm. ANDERSON, of Kirton, servant, for payment of 1s 6d a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child of Susan FRANCIS. [Notice of appeal was immediately given]

18 August 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 16 August
An order was made upon Wm. TAYLOR, late of Wrangle, farmer, for payment of 2s 6d a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Harriet WRAY.

25 August 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 23 August
An order was made upon a young man named Geo. JOHNSON, servant to Mr. OLIVER, of Wigtoft, farmer, for payment of 1s 6d a week and costs towards the support of a bastard child belonging to Jane BARKER, singlewoman, of Wrangle.

 8 September 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 6 September
An order was made upon John MOORE, of Spalding, builder, for payment of 2s per week and expenses towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Martha BIRD, of Surfleet, singlewoman.

22 September 1848

Grantham County Petty Sessions 15 September
Sarah wife of Wm. LOCKTON, of Marston, applied for an order in bastardy. She was a married woman but her husband enlisted three years ago and is now at Corfoo: an old fellow named Edw. PIDD, finding her in a rather destitute condition, and he being a widower, first engaged her to attend to his house, and ultimately to cohabit with him, by which means she kept herself out of the workhouse: the old man was left with a family of six children, the youngest of whom is 14 years of age.........Pidd was ordered to pay 1s 6d per week and the midwifery expenses.

Robt TINKLER, of Woolsthorpe, was ordered to pay 1s 6d per week towards the support of the illegitimate child of Sarah WORSDELL: defendant had recently married another person.

29 September 1848

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 18 September
Harriet LILL, of North Willingham, singlewoman, obtained a summons against David MOODY, of Faldingworth, laborer, for the maintenance of her bastard child.  

6 October 1848

Spilsby Petty Sessions 25 September
Sarah HOUGHTON, of Wainfleet All Saints, applied for an order in bastardy against Luke WALKER of Ingoldmells. Mr. Merrifield appeared for the defendant, and Mr. Thimbleby for the plaintiff: after hearing the case (which evinced considerable depravity on the part of the defendant, who is a widower with a family of nine children, while the plaintiff is a poor half-witted girl of seventeen), the bench made an order for 2s weekly and expenses.

Jane DAMS applied for an order upon Rd. HALLIWELL, but not being able to prove the service of summons upon Halliwell, the case was adjourned.

Spilsby Petty Sessions 2 October
Mary HOLMES, of Bolingbroke, applied for an order in bastardy against Jos. BALDOCK, of the same place, labourer: order granted for payment of 1s 6d weekly, and 15s costs.

In the case of Jane DAMS, adjourned from the preceding week, a sililar order was made - Rd. HALLIWELL to pay 1s 6d weekly and 15s costs.

Boston Petty Sessions 27 September
An order was made upon Geo. RYLATT, of Boston, boatman, for payment of 2s a week towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Mary WILKINSON, of the North Forty-foot Bank.

Boston Petty Sessions 26 September
An order was made upon Jas. SMITH, of Leverton, farmer, for payment of 2s a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Sarah WHITEHEAD.

10 November 1848

Lincoln Petty Sessions 6 November
Sarah HARRISON appeared to swear a child to Mr. Thos. TINDALE, merchant, of Sleaford. Mr. Brown appeared for Harrison, but no one attended on the part of Mr. Tindale. [There follows a long account of the case from which the following details were taken: Sarah Harrison was a singlewoman living in Rosemary Lane, a male child was born 26th August last. She met Mr Tindale in a house of ill fame in St Rumbolds Lane. He had given her money once she became pregnant, including £6. She had never "been acquainted with" any other man]. Mr. Tindale to pay 5s weekly for the first six weeks, and 2s 6d weekly in future; and it was directed that the £6 should go in payment of fees, and such portion of the weekly sums as it would cover.

Boston Petty Sessions 22 November
An order was made upon Thos. PELL, of South Kyme, servant, for payment of 1s 6d a week and costs, towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to a young woman named Mary Ann MASON, of Sutterton Fen.

24 November 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 22 November
An order was made upon Thos. PELL, of South Kyme, servant, for payment of 1s 6d a week and costs, towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to a young woman named Mary Ann MASON, of Sutterton Fen.  

1 December 1848

Boston Petty Sessions 29 November
An application was made by Elizabeth LAWSON of Wigtoft, singlewoman, for an order upon David CROSSBY, of Gosberton, labourer, for the maintenance of her bastard child, and after a lengthened hearing was dismissed for want of sufficient corroborative evidence.

Louth Petty Sessions 24 November
Shadrach BARNES, butcher, of Louth, was charged by Sarah RUSHFORTH, who had been his housekeeper, with being the father of her bastard child: ordered to pay 2s a week, 5s per week for four weeks during confinement, and 10s the midwife, with costs.

 8 December 1848

Spilsby Petty Sessions 27 November
Jane WELLS, of Sibsey, applied for an order in bastardy upon Thos. HARDY: order made for 2s weekly.

Ruth DAWSON, of Bolingbroke, applied for an order upon Wm. STENNETT, of Revesby, to prove that the defendant (who is cousin to the plaintiff) had sent her money not to swear the child, plaintiff had called a second Wm. STENNETT, also a cousin; but upon examination he swore positively that he had never spoken to the plaintiff upon the subject, and so prevaricated in his statements that it was clear he had been tampered with. The magistrates expressed their strong disapprobation of the witness' conduct, and of the defence which was attempted to be set up. Order granted for 2s 6d weekly and expenses.

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 4 December
John ESPIN, of Barton in the Willows, Yorkshire, labourer, appeared to answer the application of Mary CLAYTON, of Linwood, for an order of maintenance of her illegitimate child (this being her third): order for 6d per week and the costs only.

15 December 1848

Wragby Petty Sessions 7 December
Rowland ASHTON appeared to answer the complaint and application of Ann WHITE for an order of maintenance upon him of her illegitimate child: order made for 1s 6d and costs.

John APPLEBY, of Glentham, shoemaker, appeared to answer the application and complaint of Ann RAWSON for an order of maintenance upon him of her illegitimate child: order made for 2s per week and costs.

Boston Petty Sessions 8 December
An order was made upon Edw. SEYMOUR, late of Skirbeck, tanner, for payment of 1s 6d a week and expenses towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child belonging to Isabella HAUGH, of Boston, singlewoman.

22 December 1848

Lincoln Petty Sessions 20 December
Rt. ELLIOTT was ordered to pay 2s weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Harriet NORRIS: the defendant stated that he should appeal to the quarter sessions against the decision: the case was a disgustingly filthy one.

29 December 1848

Louth Petty Sessions 18 December
Fred WILKES, fate [sic. should be late?] valet to Lord Frederick BEAUCLERK, of Little Grimsby, but now a waiter at the George the Fourth inn in Nottingham, was charged by a girl 16 years old with being the father of her bastard child. Applicant being sworn, said that in the beginning of February last, the defendant was living in the service of Lord Fred. Beauclerk, at Little Grimsby; that she lived as a servant with Mr. GILBERT, a farmer of that place, and one of his Lordship's tenants; that defendant came to her master's house, when all were absent but herself, and attempted to violate her person, but from the resistance she made he did not succeed, and went away, and that she informed her mistress on her return. That on the following day, the defendant came again to the house, during the absence of all but herself, and there forcibly threw her into a seat, and violated her person, notwithstanding her struggles to prevent him, and that the child now produced before the bench was the result of that violation. She also said that she informed her master and mistress on their return home, and that her master went to defendant on the following morning, and that he (the defendant) came to the house and there beat and kicked her. Mr. GILBERT, complainant's master, was called in corroboration of her statement, and gave her an excellent character for prudence and modesty. Benj. ADLARD, constable, and Charlotte KEMP, mother of the complainant were called in corroboration of her statement......... Ordered to pay 2s 6d per week for the maintenance of the child, 5s per week for four weeks during the month's confinement, 10s the midwife, and £5 3s costs.

Boston Petty Sessions 21 December
An order was made upon Jas MARSHALL, of Algarkirk, servant, for payment of 1s 6d a week and costs towards the maintenance of a bastard child belonging to Eliz. NEALE, singlewoman.

An order was also made upon Christ. MUSCHAMP, of Wisbech, brazier, for payment of 2s 6d a week and costs towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child belonging to Eliz. GRAY........etc.

Thank you, Anne Cole, for the above.