Genealogy Chat

My great grandfather Henry James Adams was illegitimate and born 18 Mar 1884 at Hillingdon Court, Hillingdon, London and baptised 1 Jun 1884 in a Lambeth Workhouse. His mother was Susan Maria Adams b.1858 in Lambeth, on HJA's birth certificate it says she worked as a laundry maid, age 22. There is no father on his birth cert, no family on his marriage cert (19/04/1913, All Saints Church, Paddington) and nothing of help on his death cert (08/12/1958, Caterham, Surrey, England). The family legend is that HJA was fathered by the head of house where she worked and he was titled. There are two possible people: one would have been 16 and 2 months old at the time of the 'act', the other (his father) would have been 66. I found the son on the 1891 census at Hillingdon Court, and his father on the 1881 census at another house (he died in 1885 at Dudley House, Park Lane, Mayfair). I have a feeling that she was made pregnant by another member of staff - that'd make more sense? Questions: 1) How could I find out who worked at Hillingdon Court in July 1883? 2) Would Susan Maria Adams have been allowed to stay at Hillingdon Court if the head of house had made her pregnant? Is it not more likely they took her on while she was all ready pregnant? I think I found her working for a family somewhere a lot more modest on the 1881 census. 3) Would the head of house have given her/HJA any money, maybe a mention in his will? Or would that have caused 'problems'? SMA all ready had a daughter in 1882 (I haven't got this cert yet) and later married and had more children. I do plan to get HJA's photo and compare it with the pictures of the possible titled father and the legitimate son of the younger titled one. It'd be intesresting if they look alike! It's a pity I can't dig them up and do a paternity test too! Many thanks in advance for your thoughts, John

You'll never prove it. lets take your queries one at a time 1) How could I find out who worked at Hillingdon Court in July 1883?<< 1881 census is probably as near as you will get , unless the place is very notable 2) Would Susan Maria Adams have been allowed to stay at Hillingdon Court if the head of house had made her pregnant? Is it not more likely they took her on while she was all ready pregnant? I think I found her working for a family somewhere a lot more modest on the 1881 census. Who would have known the truth? I would guess she would be more likely to be sent on her way, with a few bob in her pocket, to keep her quiet. 3) Would the head of house have given her/HJA any money, maybe a mention in his will? Or would that have caused 'problems'? Can you find his will?Have a look! IF he did take any responsibilty you may find a bastardy bond ( the CSA of that era) Would it have caused problems? No answer to that really! My feeling would be more likey the son...16 years old, in the flush of youth, poor little servant...

I'd lay my money on the younger Lord. A 16yr old boy would be far more appealing to a young woman than a 66yr old man. Interesting story. Would love to know what you can dig up.

Have you tried the Workhouse Admissions register? It may say something about the father - or it may not! The Gentry normally made some sort of financial provision for their illegitimate offspring so I would have expected her fortunes to have improved after the birth. If it was the bootboy though, then her fortunes won't have improved at all. OC