Lincolnshire Poor Law Bastardy Cases 1855

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.

 6 January 1855

Louth (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 20 December 1854
An order of filiation was made upon Christ. HASTINGS for the support of Ann SKIPWORTH's bastard child, at 1s. 6d. per week and costs.

Alford Petty Sessions 2 January
Emily CROFT, single woman, of Greenfield, applied for an order for the maintenance of her bastard child on Thos. TOYNE, of Markby. Ordered to pay 1s. 6d. per week from the date of application, and £2 costs.

12 January 1855

Lincoln Lindsey Petty Sessions 5 January
Rd. MACKINDER, joiner, of Lincoln, was ordered to pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Charlotte KIRK.

Geo. LAMMING, of Redbourne, was ordered to pay 1s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Sarah ANDERSON. This low sum was allowed because the complainant had previously had an illegitimate.

19 January 1855

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 11 January
James ALLEN, it was ordered, should pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Eliz. WARD. The girl stated that the defendant was a married man, and that this was the second child she had had by him!

Spilsby Petty Sessions 15 January
On the application of Sarah OLDERSHAW, of Wainfleet St. Mary's, an order in bastardy was granted against Geo. CLARKE, of Friskney, to pay 2s. weekly and expenses.

26 January 1855

Boston Petty Sessions 19 January
Susan KEW applied for an order in bastardy against John FOUNTAIN, farmer, of Kirton Fen. Corroborative testimony was produced by the applicant, but the counter evidence was so strong that the application was dismissed.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 19 January
Jas. SCHOLEY, of Claypole, the putative father of Charlotte ALDRIDGE's child, of Stubton, was summoned to show cause why he had neglected to pay for 13 weeks. The amount in arrear was 16s. 3d. Defendant said he had been ill, and could not pay; he asked for time, but as the Bench were not disposed to allow more than a fortnight, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the amount of the claim and 11s. 2d. expenses.

 2 February 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 29 January
Hannah HALLAM, of Wellingore, charged Geo. HOLMES, of Heighington, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Mr. Walter HOLDICH appeared for defendant, upon whom an order was made for payment of 1s. 6d. per week.

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 29 January
An order was made upon Rd. WELLS, farmer, of Ulceby, for the payment of 1s. 6d. per week towards the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Ann MILLER, of Binbrooke. Mr. TOYNBEE, of Lincoln, appeared for the defendant.

 9 February 1855

Lincoln Lindsey Petty Sessions 2 February
Wm. VICKERS, of North Kelsey, was ordered to pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Charlotte VICKERS.

Bourne Petty Sessions 3 February
Sarah COOPER, of Thurlby, v. William JARVIS: case of affiliation. Dismissed, to pay their own costs.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 5 February
Orders in bastardy were made upon Thos. DICKINSON of Walcot, near Billinghay, and Edw. WEAVER, of Fulbeck Low Fields.

Spalding Petty Sessions 6 February
S. HARBY swore her illegitimate child to Jere. HINSMAN. Ordered to pay 2s. 6d. per week.

16 February 1855

Gainsborough Petty Sessions 8 February 1855
An order of affiliation was made on John ODLIN, of Kirton, for the bastard child of D. SCAWTHORNE, viz., 5s. per week for the first six weeks after the birth, 2s. per week afterwards, and 10s. for midwife.

 23 February 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 12 February
A warrant which had been granted against John HOTCHIN, of Cranwell, for non-payment towards the bastard child of Sarah YARRAD, was dismissed.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 16 February
Eliz. STOKES, of Spittlegate, just turned 16 years of age, charged John PIGOTT, wheelwright, with being the father of her illegitimate female child, born on Christmas-day. The Bench were unanimous that there was no evidence to warrant an order to be made on defendant.

Horncastle Petty Sessions 17 February
An order was made upon Mr. John BROWN, clerk in charge at Kirkstead station, for the payment of 2s. per week towards the maintenance of the bastard child of Eliza SHARP, of which he was alleged to be the putative father.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 17 February
In a case in which John BRIGGS of Potterhanworth, was called upon to show cause why he should not maintain the two illegitimate children of Mary Ann BAKER, both parties were called, but neither appeared. It seemed that the case had been settled out of court.

Spilsby Petty Sessions 19 February
Wm. DEAN, of Tattershall, for not obeying an order in bastardy, was ordered to pay 26s. (money due under the order) and 19s. expenses.

Spalding Petty Sessions 20 February
Sarah Ann HICKS, of Sutton St. James, charged Mark HUMPHRY with being the father of her illegitimate child. There not being sufficient evidence, the case was dismissed.

 2 March 1855

Winterton Petty Sessions 16 February
Caroline STANDERLINE, of Hibaldstow, applied for an order of affiliation on Thos. COOK, of the same place. Mr. GARFIT appeared on behalf of the complainant, and COOK, who is upwards of 50 years of age, has a wife and family, is parish constable, and also a local preacher of long standing in the Primitive Methodist connexion, was represented by Mr. FREER: the complainant's testimony having been corroborated, an order of 1s. 6d. per week was made on the defendant.

Dinah POOLE, of Broughton, also applied for a similar order on John NEAL. Defendant was represented by Mr. GARFIT, and the case was dismissed.

Maria THOMPSON, of Gresby, also applied for an order of affiliation upon Charles FRANKISH. The defendant did not appear, but having admitted the paternity to the constable an order of 2s. per week was granted.

Mary FOSTER, of Broughton, v. John HILL, of Elsham. This was another bastardy case, in which Mr. GARFIT appeared for the defendant. The complainant's corroborative witness not being in attendance the case was adjourned by consent to the Brigg petty sessions on the 20th.

Louth Borough Petty Sessions 23 February
Wm. BUTTING, of Louth Grange, was charged by Sarah CAREY, a fellow servant, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Defendant admitted the paternity, and was ordered to pay 2s. per week from the date of the application.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 26 February
An order in bastardy was made upon Hy. SINGLETON for payment of 1s. 6d. per week, upon the application of Sarah Ann OWEN.

 9 March 1855

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 2 March
Mr. WAGSTAFFE appeared on the part of Elizabeth STOKES to ask the Bench to grant another summons against John PIGOTT, the putative father of her illegitimate child. Summons granted.

Ann BECK, married woman, charged Eliz. STOKES with striking her on the 16th ult. She had been a witness against her in a bastardy case. Fined 5s. 6d. and costs 9s. 6d., to be paid by two instalments.

Wm. Hy. PORTER, of Great Ponton, who had been served with a summons on the 23d ult., charging him with being the father of the illegitimate child of Sophia PLUMMER, of Bitchfield, did not appear. The complainant had lived five years and a half at Mr. SENTANCE's, of Great Ponton, who when he died left her £10, which PORTER persuaded her to lend him to carry on his business. He once gave her £4 towards getting the wedding ready, and she had received a letter from him (produced in court) dated August 28th, 1854, written in endearing terms. An order was made for 2s. a week from the birth of the child and all expenses. PORTER has a thrashing machine.

Bourne Petty Sessions 3 March
An order was made upon George J. JESSOP, of Boston, for payment of 2s. a week and costs towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child belonging to Susannah CARTER, of Frampton.

Jackson GARNER, labourer, of Gosberton, appeared to a summons obtained by Eleanor DICKINS, singlewoman, of Kirton, charging him with being the father of her illegitimate child. After a lengthened hearing and the examination of several witnesses, the application was dismissed

Sleaford Petty Sessions 5 March
Wm. GARRETT, of Ruskington, was charged by Ann NEWTON with being the father of her illegitimate child. Defendant admitted the charge, and in consequence of complainant having had two children previously, an order was made for payment of only 1s. per week.

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 5 March
Sarah KIRMAN, of Walesby, singlewoman, obtained an order upon Rd. WARD, of Kirkstead, for her illegitimate child.

The application of Eliz. MALAM, of Binbrooke, for an order on Wm. GILES, for the maintenance of her illegitimate child, was dismissed

16 March 1855

Boston Petty Sessions 7 March
An order of affiliation at 1s. 6d. a week, was made upon Thos. STENNET, for the support of the illegitimate child of Eliza MIDDLETON, of Dunsby.

 23 March 1855

Lincoln Kesteven Petty Sessions 16 March
William TAYLOR, of Bradford, was brought up for refusing to obey an order to pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Ann ASHLEY of Branston. A distress warrant against the goods of Taylor was issued, and it was ordered that he should remain in custody until the return of the warrant.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 16 March
Eliz. STOKES v. John PIGGOTT, wheelwright. This was a bastardy case, which came on for hearing a month since, when the plaintiff was nonsuited, but on the application of Mr. Wagstaffe, a fortnight ago, who stated he could bring additional witnesses on his client's behalf, another summons was granted, and the case recommenced, when there were a great number of witnesses examined. It appeared that at the first hearing a great deal rested on the evidence of Elijah MIDDLETON, but it was elicited that Piggott had paid him a sovereign to attend. The Bench were of opinion that perjury had been committed. A great deal of contradictory evidence was produced on both sides. An order was made for 3d. a week and no midwifery fees, and each party to pay their own expenses.

30 March 1855

Louth (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 14 March
An order was made upon Fred DENT, of Great Coates, for the maintenance of Eliz TRAVES' bastard child, at the rate of 1s. 6d. per week and costs.

Gainsborough Petty Sessions 22 March
An application was made by Jane BRIDGE, of Springthorpe, for an order upon Aaron COOPER, of Gringley, to maintain her illegitimate child. Case dismissed.

An application was also made by Mary CHAMBLER, for an order upon David BARR, of Knaith, to maintain her child. Case adjourned for further evidence.

Lincoln (Kesteven) Petty Sessions 22 March
Wm. TAYLOR, of Bradford, was committed to Falkingham for three months, for neglecting to obey an order in illegitimacy binding him to contribute to the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Ann ASHLEY, of Branston.

Stamford Petty Sessions 24 March
The Magistrates declined to adjudicate upon a summons by Sarah GLOVER, of Market Deeping, against Jos. BRITTON, of Stamford, cabinet-maker, for an order for the maintenance of her illegitimate child.

 8 June 1855

Spilsby Petty Sessions 4 June
In the affiliation case of Maria ASHTON v. Thos. SMALLEY, of East Keal, which was supported by Mr. J. L. BRACKENBURY, and defended by Mr. W. J. RAINEY, the summons was dismissed for want of corroborative evidence.

Eliza ATKINSON v. J. SHERIFF, of Stickney. This was another affiliation case, in which Mr. G. WALKER appeared for the complainant, and Mr. L. J. [sic] BRACKENBURY for defendant. The case occupied the attention of the Bench for some time. Ordered to pay 1s. 6d. per week and the expenses.

15 June 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 11 June
Rebecca POTTERTON, of Walcott, near Billinghay, obtained an order of 2s. per week upon Phineas HOLMES, of the same place, towards the maintenance of her illegitimate child.

22 June 1855

Lincoln Lindsey Petty Sessions 15 June
Mary HALL, of Sturton, applied for an order in affiliation against Wm. HARTLEY, of Applethorpe, near North Leverton. As the complainant's witness did not appear to give corroborative evidence, the summons was dismissed.

29 June 1855

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 23 June
It was ordered that Jos. CHAMBERS, miller, shall pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Sarah Ann LISTER.

Grantham Petty Sessions 25 June
Mary Ann BIRCH, with her mother, was present to prefer a complaint against Thos. LAWSON for ten weeks' arrears in an order of bastardy. Mrs. Birch said Lawson received 10s. a week from his club, and she thought he ought to be made to pay: her husband had been out of work for some time, and neither herself or her daughter had any means to support the child. The Bench having been informed that LAWSON is in a very precarious state of health refused to aid in the matter.

Boston Petty Sessions 27 June
An order was made upon Jas. PRESTON, farmer, of Wigtoft, for payment of 2s. 6d. a week and costs towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child belonging to Alice STUBLEY, singlewoman.

 6 July 1855

Lincoln Lindsey Petty Sessions 29 June
It was ordered that Edw. SHARMAN, of Boston, shall pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Mary TORRY, of Willoughton.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 2 July
Thos. ANDREWS, of Crowland, was charged by Mary Ann SMITH, of Heckington, with being the father of her illegitimate child. The Bench made an order for payment of 1s. 6d. per week.

13 July 1855

Extraordinary Allifiation Case.
At the Lindsey petty sessions held at Louth on the 4th inst., an extraordinary affiliation case came on for hearing. Ann LOWDEN v James TOWNEND. In this case of disputed paternity of the child, of which the complainant alleged the defendant was the father, Mr. INGOLDBY, solicitor, who appeared in support of the application, rested the corroborative proof chiefly on the following extraordinary facts. The child had five fingers on each hand, two being united together from the knuckle downwards, and the child had also six toes on each foot webbed together. The putative father had precisely the same deformities, but had recently had two little fingers amputated: in other respects his hands and toes precisely resembled the child's on comparison. With such a palpable physiological argument adduced by Mr. Ingoldby confirmation of the girl's testimony to the fact of TOWNEND being the real father of the child, the Magistrates could do no less than make an order upon the defendant for 1s. 6d. weekly, and ordered him to pay the usual costs.

Louth Lindsey Petty Sessions 4 July
An order was made upon Jas. TOWNING, of Authorpe, to pay 1s. 6d. per week and 2 11s. costs for the maintenance etc of Ann SOWDEN's illegitimate child. [Sic. Presumably this is the same case as that given above for LOWDEN and TOWNEND]

Sleaford Petty Sessions 9 July
A warrant was granted against Wm. LEE, of Kirkby Cliffe, Notts, for non-payment of 1s. 6d. per week towards the illegitimate child of Martha WHITE, of Leadenham.

20 July 1855

Horncastle Petty Sessions 14 July
Dinah SYSON, of Langton, who on the previous Saturday applied for an order in bastardy against David COOK, of Horncastle, and whose case was adjourned to procure more evidence, again appeared, but still no corroborative evidence was given sufficient to induce the Magistrates to grant an order.

Boston Petty Sessions 18 July
Henry TILSON, of Freiston, appeared to a warrant obtained against him by Martha NORMAN, of Freiston, for neglecting to pay the arrears in bastardy, and after hearing was ordered to pay the amount due and costs, amounting to 1 1s. 6d.

27 July 1855

Lincoln (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 20 July
It was ordered that Philip ALLWOOD, of East Bridgeford, should pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Ann DRABY, of Torksey.

It was ordered that Michael NORRISS, of Owmby, should pay 19s. 6d. arrears in an order in illegitimacy due to Eliz. SIMONS, of Aisthorpe.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 20 July
Martha JACKSON, of Welby, had an order made on Wm. MELLARS of Eastland, Notts, of 1s. 6d. a week, towards the support of her illegitimate child.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 23 July
Robt. LORD, of Leadenham, husbandman, was charged by Alice BUCKBERRY, of Sleaford, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Mr. BISSELL appeared for the defence, but the Bench being satisfied with the evidence made an order for payment of 1s. 6d. per week.

 3 August 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 30 July
Hy. SHARMAN, of Ryhall, was ordered to pay 2s. per week towards the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Mary ELSOM, of Fulbeck.

Horncastle Petty Sessions 31 July
Edw. JOHNSON, of Mareham le Fen, labourer, was committed to Spilsby for two months for disobeying an order in bastardy.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 31 July
It was ordered that Wm. SMITH should pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Ann REYNOLDS. The defendant did not appear, but Mr. BROWN, solicitor, appeared on his behalf and consented to the order.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 1 August
John GOULDING, who had neglected to pay the arrears due upon an order in illegitimacy was directed to pay 1 and the costs 8s. 6d.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 3 August
Rt. NOON, labourer, a married man, and the father of six children, was summoned by Jane TALTON, a young girl, for being the father of her illegitimate child, which was born at South Witham on the 22d of April. He was ordered to pay 1s. 6d. a week.

10 August 1855

Boston Petty Sessions 3 August
Mr. CHAPMAN appeared for Robt. MAIDENS, of Swineshead, who was the defendant in an application for an order in bastardy. The case was postponed till the following Friday, to admit of the production of an important witness.

Alford Petty Sessions 3 August
Sarah Ann RICHARDSON, of Saleby, applied for orders in bastardy against Wm. DAWSON, of Trusthorpe, labourer. Order granted for 6d. per week and 17s. 6d. expenses.

17 August 1855

Boston Petty Sessions 10 August
A young woman named HOYES proved an application in bastardy against Robert MAIDENS, and an order was made on him for payment of expenses 2. 10s. and 2s. weekly.

An Order was also made on Rd. ELY for the payment of 2s. 6d. weekly on the application of Jane DANNS, of Sibsey.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 13 August
A warrant was also granted against Thos. DICKINSON, of the same place, for non-payment of 18s. towards the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Sarah MOBB, of Sleaford.

24 August 1855

Spilsby Petty Sessions 20 August
Betsy HUBBARD, of Sibsey, v. Chas PICKERING, of the same place. Affiliation application. Mr. BRACKENBURY appeared for defendant. Ordered to pay 2s. per week and the expenses.

Alford Petty Sessions 21 August
Mary SMITH, of Theddlethorpe, applied for orders in bastardy against John DIXON. Order grated for 1s. 6d. per week and 1 expenses.

Boston Petty Sessions 22 August
An Order was made upon John BAKER, of Leake, for payment of 2s. a week towards the maintenance of an illegitimate child belonging to Mary INABLESTON [sic: probably should be MABLESTONE], Singlewoman.

31 August 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 27 August
Sarah PARNHAM, of Ancaster, charged Chas. WILSON, of Oswarby [sic], blacksmith, with being the father of her illegitimate child. An order was made on defendant for payment of 1s. 4d. per week, complainant having had a child previously.

 7 September 1855

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 5 September
Jos. CHAMBERS, who did not appear, was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Jane OSBORNE, a dress-maker, who resides in Brummitt's ropery. The complainant stated that the defendant is a married man with children; that she had lodged in his house, but for some time had had a house of her own, and he would persist in coming there at meal times and at nights, though his wife often came to fetch him away. The Magistrates ordered that the defendant should pay 2s. 6d. weekly.

14 September 1855

Lincoln (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 7 September
It was ordered that Hy. MAKINS, of Greetwell, pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Mary NORTON, of Broxholme.

Lincoln (Kesteven) Petty Sessions 7 September
Thos. JUDSON, of Belvoir, was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Hannah JUDSON, of Navenby. Mr. TOYNBEE appeared for the defendant, but the corroborative testimony was so strong that Mr. T. said it was useless to contend against it. Ordered to pay 1s. 6d. weekly.

Wm. GIBSON, of Thorpe le Fallows, appeared and acknowledged being the father of the illegitimate child of Mary WAND, of Navenby, and was ordered to pay 1s. 6d. weekly.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 8 September
Eliz. HACKNEY charged Chas. CROSS with being the father of her illegitimate child. Mr. TOYNBEE appeared for the defendant, who had only been apprenticed a year, and who put himself into the box and swore that the girl's statement was totally untrue. The girl brought forward no corroborative evidence at all, and therefore the case was dismissed.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 10 September
John PALETHORPE, of Fulbeck, was charged by Ann WINTER, of the same place, with being the father of her illegitimate child. The complainant having had two children previously, an order was made upon defendant for payment of 1s. per week only.

28 September 1855

Market Deeping Petty Sessions 26 September
Martha GRAY, of Market Deeping v. Thos. PARKINSON, of Spalding, was an application for an order in bastardy. Adjourned.

An order for 1s. 6d. per week was made upon Jos. BRITTAN, cabinet-maker, of Scotgate, Stamford, for the support of Betsy GLOVER's bastard child. The putative father, it is said, has left for the great metropolis without leaving his address.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 24 September
Chas. HARE, of Leasingham, was charged with being the father of the bastard child of Eliz. FAULKNER, of Sleaford. Complainant having had a child before, an order for payment of 1s. per week only was made.

 5 October 1855

An application for an order in bastardy was made at the Sessions-house, Boston, on Wednesday, when facts were elicited which called forth the well-merited censure of the Bench toward the putative father. The case was Caroline DIXON v. George PELL, farmer, of Sutterton Fen. It appeared that the woman had had two illegitimate children by the defendant previous to the one now applied for, and who were allowed to live with the rest of his children and his wife, and that the applicant has lived in the house as his servant for the last 15 years. This case was dismissed for the want of corroborative evidence.

12 October 1855

Lincoln (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 5 October
It was ordered that Geo. OSTICK, of Snarford, should pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Mary HOULTBY, of Scotton.

It was ordered that Isaac KNAPP, farmer, of Barlings, should pay 2s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Ann PAULGER, of Scothern.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 6 October
It was ordered that Thos. EAST, of Bloxholme, shall pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Ann LAWRANCE.

19 October 1855

Lincoln (Kesteven) Petty Sessions 5 October
It was ordered that John CLIPSHAM, of Norwell on Trent, should pay 2s. 6d. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Alice SKINS, of Metheringham.

It was ordered that Jos. WALKER, of Doddington, shall pay 1s. 6d. weekly towards the illegitimate child of Mary HARVEY, of Thorpe on the Hill.

Louth (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 10 October
Frances APPLEBY, of Stewton, near Louth, singlewoman, applied for an order upon John EVISON, for the maintenance of her bastard child born on the 31st August last. The Magistrates, considering this to be a bad case, made an order upon EVISON for 2s. 6d. per week and 1 15s. expenses, he being a man of the age of 65 years, and also one professing the strictest religious principles, being a leader or class preacher, and the unfortunate young woman being not of bright intellect.

Boston Petty Sessions 12 October
Sarah Ann BARTON applied for an order in bastardy against Geo. WILSON, labourer, of Frampton. The putative father swore that he had never known the applicant carnally. The case was adjourned.

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 15 October
Matilda ATKIN, of South Kelsey, singlewoman, obtained an order upon Charles LAMMING, of Santon, labourer, for the payment of 1s. per week towards the maintenance of her illegitimate child.

26 October 1855

Stamford Petty Sessions 19 October
John DIXON was adjudged on his own confession to be the father of the female bastard child of Charlotte PILMORE, and was ordered to pay 2s. 6d. per week for the first six weeks from the child's birth, and 1s. 6d. per week afterwards, with 14s. costs.

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 19 October
An order of 2s. a week and expenses was made on Joseph COOPER, of Little Gonerby, towards the maintenance of Mary MICKERSON's illegitimate child.

Boston Petty Sessions 19 October
Jane DANNS summoned Jas. ELY, of Sibsey, for arrears (15s.) due on an order in bastardy. The defendant averred that he had left the money at a certain house, but he admitted that he had not informed the complainant of his having done so. The Bench informed him that he should have sent her word, that she might have fetched it. As he had not, he must take the consequence and pay the costs of apprehension, etc., 2 0s. 6d., or be committed.

 2 November 1855

Lincoln (Lindsey) Petty Sessions 26 October
Jas. GILBERT was ordered to pay 2s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Charlotte HARRISON of Sturton.

Geo. COULSON, of Owmby, was ordered to pay 1s. weekly towards the support of the illegitimate child of Mary CHAPMAN of Nettleham.

 9 November 1855

Spittlegate (Grantham) Petty Sessions 2 November
John GROCOCK, servant to Mr. BEMROSE, of Caythorpe, was summoned by Christiana CLARK, of Stoke Rochford, as being the father of her illegitimate child. In consequence of the youth of the couple, an order of only 9d. per week was made.

Lincoln (Kesteven) Petty Sessions 2 November
Jos. HEATH was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Eliz. FOX. The case, after being investigated, was dismissed.

16 November 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 5 November
George TARVEY, baker, of Heckington, was charged by Ann WARD, of Sleaford, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Order made for payment of 1s. 6d. per week.

John CREASEY, of Walcott, near Billinghay, was charged with non-payment of 19s. 6d. towards the support of the illegitimate child of Eliz. ALMOND. It appeared from the evidence that the child had died, and the amount claimed was for its maintenance up to the time of its death. Defendant stated that he had paid the money, and produced evidence in support of his statement, which was satisfactory to the Bench, who dismissed the complaint.

23 November 1855

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 20 November
It was ordered that Jas. GUNTHORPE, groom, should pay 2s. weekly towards the maintenance of the illegitimate child of Ann ROGERS.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 12 November
Wm. STOTHERD, of Sturton, near Stow, was charged by Ann FRANKLIN, of Wellingore, with being the father of her bastard child. Ordered to pay 1s. 6d. per week.

30 November 1855

Spilsby Petty Sessions 26 November
Lucy SPENCE v. Charles SPALDING, of Hogsthorpe, was an affiliation application which had before occupied the attention of the Bench, but been dismissed. Case arranged by consent, on payment of 2s. weekly.

Selina WRIGHT v. Robt. ALLENBY, of Wainfleet All Saints, was an affiliation application. Case dismissed.

 7 December 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 3 December
Benj. HUNT, of Hougham, was charged by Eliza TYLER, of Wellingore, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Order made for 1s. per week.

14 December 1855

Lincoln (Kesteven) Petty Sessions 7 December
Rd. BOYCE was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Mary SUTHERINGTON. Mr. BROWN, jun. appeared for the defendant, who is a married man at Timberland. The Magistrates said the balance of evidence on the girl's side could not be resisted, and they should make an order for the payment of 1s. 6d. weekly. There had been awful perjury on one side or the other; and it had so become the custom for parties to appear in courts of justice and totally disregard the obligation of oaths, that the first clear case they could get at they should commit the offender for trial.

Alford Petty Sessions 11 December
An order in bastardy for 2s. a week and expenses was granted against John HOLDERNESS, of Ashby, near Spilsby, on the application of Hannah BELL, of Hogsthorpe.

21 December 1855

Market Rasen Petty Sessions 17 December
Eliza TAYLOR, of Tealby, singlewoman, obtained an order upon Sam. BORRIEL, of Thoresway, labourer, for the payment of 1s. 6d. per week towards the maintenance of her illegitimate child.

The application of Jane BRUMPTON, of Tealby, singlewoman, for an order upon Thos. TAYLOR, of the same place, labourer, towards the maintenance of her illegitimate child, was dismissed. Mr. John Jackson RHODES, solicitor, of Market Rasen, appeared for the defendant.

Grantham Borough Quarter Sessions 17 December
Ann JARVIS, singlewoman, applied for an order of affiliation upon Henry HILTON, of Spittlegate Heath. The magistrates did not consider the paternity sufficiently proved, and dismissed the case.

Sleaford Petty Sessions 17 December
Jos. JOHNSON, of Holland Fen, was charged by Jane SLIGHT, of North Kyme, with the non-payment of 19s. 6d. due towards his illegitimate child. Order for payment forthwith, or two months' imprisonment.

28 December 1855

Sleaford Petty Sessions 24 December
Thos HARE, of Blankney, was charged by Ann CREASEY, of Timberland Fen, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Order made for 1s. 6d. per week.

Jos. MADKIN, of Honington, was charged by Caroline JORDAN, of Carlton Scroop, with being the father of two of her illegitimate children. Defendant admitted the charge. Order made for 1s. 6d. per week for the maintenance of each child.

Lincoln City Petty Sessions 26 December
John GODBEHERE was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Rebecca HODSON. Mr. TOYNBEE appeared for the defendant. A female to whom Godbehere paid his addresses in February and March last stated that he had told her of the connection with Hodson: but it was also proved that Hodson had stated in the presence of the wife of Godbehere, before they were married, and others, that what had been alleged as to an improper intercourse was untrue. Ordered to pay 1s. 6d. weekly.

Thank you, Anne Cole, for the above.