The Rook Family Tree
BASTARDY BATTLES Branchett vs. Rook
2nd January 1868
THE GUILDHALL, FAVERSHAM, Present:
The within application of Eliza Frances Branchett dated the 19th day of December 1867 was read.
Served on
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 13th day of March 1867, 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, Amos Rook is the Father of such Bastard male Child.
I have a former bastard child by the defendant. On 2nd August 1865 that child was sworn to him. He continued to keep my company after that time. There was familiarity and connexion between us up to the 9th March and the Deft promised to marry me. On the 20th September last the Deft told my sister Emma Jones that he would marry me. George Earl and his Housekeeper heard he say he would marry me. The connexion took place on 2nd July last at Boughton under the Blean at my lodgings. It was on Tuesday night. I lodged then with Mrs Stevens. I asked her to come. I had but one room there with a bed in it. She …? me for lending him a sixpence. I have had 3 bastard children. Deft has had connexion with me more than once. He used to come on Saturday Night and remained all the following Sunday. Deft has been recently married. I applied to deft on the morning of his marriage.
Emma wife of Joseph Jones of No.14 Finchley (?) Road in john’s Wood in the ….? Of M. (Middlesex ?). He’s a watchman under Messrs Eyre & Lucas. I am sister to the applicant. I came down hopping last September it was on the Friday 20th September. I saw the Deft at The Dolphin Inn at Boughton. He came up to me and said well Emma I called for a pot of Ale and asked me to drink and asked me to have a dance and we danced. I said what do you intend doing for my sister. He said he meant marrying her and he had intended giving her money if he could have met with her. I did not speak to Deft until he spoke to me. He knew the children were no disgrace to him whatever; he said the money was for the baby. Xx? I have been married 4 years he was called ‘toughey’. I decline to say how long I lived with him before he married me.
Dismissed
Clerk Fees
Constable
Midwife rec’d