One source of data often overlooked or ignored by genealogists is bastard cases
or illegitimate births. Several bundles of "Bastard Recognizances" are filed in the
county clerk's office in Caldwell County, Kentucky.
Usually it was feared that the bastards would become dependants of the county so the
court made an effort to assist the mother in obtaining support for the child from the father.
Often the names of witnesses and bondsmen are listed in the original papers.
The oldest bundle, dated 1815- 1829, is abstracted below.

Mary Bridges swore that James Barnett, Jr. was the father
of a female child born 27 Sept. 1814 at the house of Hugh Bannister.

Matilda R. Duning swore that William Galloway was the father
of her female child born 27 Sept. 1814.

Polly Newman swore that Hiram T. Pinell, yeoman, was the father
of her female child born 20 July 1815 at the house of Simpson Newman.

Polly Bird swore that Milton Finley was the father of her female child
born 7 Nov 1817 at the house of Thomas L. Hancock

Abigail Johnson swore that James M. Hall was the father of her male
child born 30 July 1819.

Polly Guess swore that Robert Hooker was the father of her female child
born 15 Oct. 1819 at the house of Joseph Guess.

Priscilla Armstrong swore that Isaac Simpson, laborer, was the father of
her female child born 28 Dec. 1820.

Abigail Johnson swore that James M. Hall was the father of her female
child born 29 Jan 1822 at the house of Benjamin Johnson.

Polly Smart swore that John Bolton, laborer, was the father of her male
child born 20 May 1822

Nancy Morse swore that Allen Pearce, laborer, was the father of her male
child born 12 March 1825 at the house of William Morse.

Rebecca Moore swore that Robert Corlew was the father of her male child
born 7 June 1825 at the house of John Moore

Charity Lane swore that Thomas Anderson was the father of her male child
born 30 July 1828 at the house of Lincy Campbell

Teressa Stevens swore that William Roberts, laborer was the father of a male
child born 15 May 1828 at the house of Alexander E. Lowery.

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