The Rook Family Tree
BASTARDY BATTLES Branchett vs. Rook
Thursday 3rd August 1865
THE GUILDHALL, FAVERSHAM, Present: W Rigden Esq & R J Hilton Esq.
The within application of Eliza Frances Branchett dated the 24th day of July 1865 was read.
Served on 27th July.
The said Amos Rook appeared
The said Eliza Frances Branchett , on oath said : Single-woman and reside at the Parish of Boughton Under The Blean in the County of Kent on the 10th day of February 1865, I was delivered of a Bastard male Child, at Boughton Under The Blean in the County of Kent. Amos Rook of Boughton Under The Blean in the County of Kent, Bricklayer is the Father of such Bastard male Child.
I have known Deft some years. He lives on one side of the road I live on the other in Boughton Street. I have been in the habit of walking with Deft. On the 8th may last year deft went to Boughton church with me that night we were up till 10 o’clock, he had intercourse with me that night at the back of my Fathers House, that was the time, and it has been repeated. On the 30th April last Deft gave me 2/ and said here Eliza you can have that if it is any good. Alice (?) Foster was present. About a fortnight after he gave me another 2/ he held it in his hand (said) here Eliza, 3 weeks after he sent me 3/ by his sister. In 3 weeks again he sent me 3/ by his sister. When I was about 4 months gone he (said) “he intended marrying me”. Maria Hawkins heard him say it.
Alice (?) Foster (said) I saw Deft pay 2/ to Compl he said to her, if this is any use to you, you may have it. She said I shall be very thankful for it. It was in front of Mr Samuel Eve in Boughton Street.
Maria Hawkins (said) I heard Deft say he would marry Compl, as soon as he had the means. She was then quite large and visibly in the family way.
Deft: “I am not the Father of that child and there’s plenty to prove it”.
Clerk Fees 12/
Constable 2/6
Midwife 10/ rec’d E F Branchett
Adjudged to be the Father of the Child, and ordered to pay 1/6 per week from the day of application, until the child attains the age of 13, &c.