Bastardy 2
Punishing the father
Perhaps the example shown here, from the Breconshire Quarter Sessions of 1767, may be regarded as partially redressing the inequalities of justice between the treatment meted out to the mother and father of illegitimate children in these times.
As shown on the previous page, such mothers often suffered very severe punishment, but the concern of parish authorities to discourage potential extra demands on the local poor rate meant that the fathers were wherever possible pursued as well.
Breconshire
Quarter Sessions
Easter 1767
Powys
County Archives
B/QS/O/5
This extract, from the Order Book of the Quarter
Sessions, reads as follows:
"John Jones surrendering himself in discharge of his
Bail for begetting a Bastard Child on the Body of Mary Davies
which is likely to become chargeable to the Parish of Crickadarn
in this County It is Ordered that he be committed into the Custody
of the Keeper of the County Goal." (Early spelling of
gaol).
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