Bastardy Bonds for children Theophila Cary and Thomas Cary

[waynenort]

While researching one of our ancestors William Chaffin, it was indicated in a book called 'The Chaffin Family - A Study of One Name' by Phyllis Drake and Stella Judy Drake that two illegitimate children were born to Mary Cary (Carey) with the putative father named William Chaffin.

Extract from book:
William and Pheobe had started their married life in Bruton, Somerset, the original home of all the modern Chaffins and their first children were born there. They moved to Taunton in about 1783 and perhaps the birth of a daughter to Mary Carey of Bruton in 1782 had something to do with the move, as William was named as the putative father. Unfortunately for Pheobe, the affair continued and Mary Carey had a son by William in 1785.

Authors give one of the text references to their findings as Bruton Bastardy Bonds

I've managed to find the illegitimate births of these two children, but was interested to find a possible reference for any records naming the putative father as William Chaffin.

Illegitimate children:
Theophila Cary - Baptised 1 January 1782, Bruton,  burial 1 March 1789 Bruton
Thomas Cary - Baptised 26 August 1785 Bruton,  burial 8 April 1853 Bruton

Mother:
Mary Cary - Baptised 18 March 1759 Bruton, burial 28 May 1809 Bruton

Supposed father:
William Chaffin - Baptised 28 August 1748 Bruton, death Wells Place Holloway, burial 20 April 1820 St Thomas à Becket and St Mark's Widcombe

[amondg]

They are located at the Somerset Archives aka South West Heritage Trust.

If you "search" the archives for Bastardy Bonds Bruton there are several entries.

D/P/brut/13/5/2      1673-1821
D/P/brut/13/5    Parish poor laws etc.
D/P/brut/13/5/1    1701 -1832

D/P/brut/13/5/3 Examinations (re: Bastardy) 1713 -1814  -* this might be the first one to try.

D/P/brut/13/5//4  Apprehension Certificates 1697 - 1826

[waynenort]

Very much appreciated. 

There appears to be a few entries such as in this link for a Mary Cary, Thomas Cary, and also a William Chaffin:
https://somerset-cat.swheritage.org.uk/records/D/P/brut/13/5/1

So would this mean the cataloged names wouldn't necessarily be all the child's names and may also be either of the parents depending on the content?

[waynenort]

I think I found the answer as yes

These two document orders have the baptism date (birth?) for both illegitimate children. 1782 and 1785

Thank you again 

[amondg]

Give yourself a pat on the back.