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Lettice Tunnell Worthington and Brittain Cross Bastardy Case


Anderson County, Tennessee

Wednesday 10th July 1816

Ordered by the Court that Britain (sic) Cross enter into Bond with
Security to keep the County of Anderson indemnified from
the support and maintenance of a Bastard child begotten by
him on the Body of Lettice Worthington and that he pay unto the
hands of William Tunnell the sum of Twelve dollars annually
to be paid quarter-yearly until said Child Attain the age of
five years.

Lettice Tunnell was the daughter of William Tunnell and Mary Maysey.  Lettice married James Worthington, son of Samuel Worthington III and Elizabeth Kearney.  James Worthington died on 13 Nov 1813 in the War of 1812.

Lettice Tunnell Worthington was therefore a widow on 17 Apr 1816 when her daughter Miriam Worthington was born.  This court record proves that Brittain Cross was the father of Miriam Worthington.  Lettice had moved away from Anderson County and Miriam was born in Warren County, Tennessee.  But the bastardy case was filed back in Anderson County.

The William Tunnell to whom the child support payments were to be made was Lettice's brother William Tunnell III.  William Tunnell III was still living in Anderson County in 1816.  Lettice's father was also named William.  But William Tunnell II died in 1814, and therefore couldn't have been the William Tunnell who was receiving Lettice's support payments.


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This page last edited on 27 Jul 2007.