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Bastardy Bonds

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Karen

Karen Report 15 Jul 2015 16:38

My 4 x great grandmother was Susanna Blackburn born in Huddersfield in 1775.
It seems Susanna had two/three illegitimate births. The first was to twins Mary and Jane in 1801, the second to John in 1807. The baptism records name the fathers in both cases. William Cowdri/Cowdroy from Manchester was the father of the twins. Joseph France was recorded as father of John.
My question is why were neither of these fathers held accountable by the parish (i can find no evidence of this)?
I would also like to ask people's opinion as to the identity of William Cowdri/Cowdroy. The only match i can find in Manchester is a father and son who were editors of a local paper (the son is nearer in age to Susanna). Any thoughts greatfuly received.

Christine

Christine Report 15 Jul 2015 16:44

Hi Karen

Might they have made private arrangements to make payments to the mother?

Regards
Christine

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 15 Jul 2015 18:15



West Yorkshire Archive Service - Not Held


www.archives.wyjs.org.uk/archives-not-held.asp

The West Yorkshire Archive Service exists to preserve the county's heritage of historical documents and to help members of the public make ... Bastardy bonds

Bastardy bonds/certificates

Many of these have not survived. There are some within Parish or Board of Guardians records. Try our online catalogue for details.

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 15 Jul 2015 18:18

Huddersfield Genealogy Resources & Parish Registers ...


forebears.co.uk/england/yorkshire/huddersfield

West Yorkshire Bastardy Records ... United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection ... National, attached to St. John’s Church, Huddersfield, Christian Hoyer Millar

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me

Karen

Karen Report 15 Jul 2015 19:21

Thank you Christine, i never though of that. I wonder if that was common practice amongst more well-to-do errant fathers? I believe local parishes had the power to enforce marriage in such cases, but wealth seems to grant exception to many rules!
I will have a look into the links and see if i can find anything.

JoonieCloonie

JoonieCloonie Report 16 Jul 2015 00:27

do you think Susanna might have been in service in the editors' household?

A century later, and at the same age (25ish), my great-grandmother was, and our understanding is that the father of her child was the 'young master' of the house, and that the events were not consensual.

Researching:
You remember me. :)

mgnv

mgnv Report 17 Jul 2015 00:09

Karen - Re: "local parishes had the power to enforce marriage"

Marriages made under such duress would not be valid; I hardly think it was the purpose of local parishes to facilitate the creation of more bastards.

Social pressures could be employed, however (and nearly always were employed).