Quote
FAREHAM.
Agent for this paper, Mr. E. OVER, Portland-street.
PETTY SESSIONS.
Yesterday.
—Before Admiral Chads, Sir F. Sykes, Bart., and F. Bretherton, Esq.
AFFILIATION SUMMONS
—James Rappe, a driver on the Portsmouth Tramways, of 64, Emanuel-street, Landport, was summoned to show cause why an order should not be made on him for the support of the illegitimate child of Eliza Collins, of the Coach and Horses, Hilsea, of which she alleged him to be the father.
—Mr. Wainscot appeared in support of the complainant, and Mr. Feltham for defendant.
—After a lengthy hearing, in which the evidence was of a most contradictory nature, the Bench dismissed the summons for want of corroborative evidence.
— Portsmouth Evening News, Tuesday 31 May, 1881
Note
The Fareham Petty Session Court Register for 1881 (40M70/XP4), stored at the Hampshire Record Office, Winchester, contains less information than this newspaper report.
I expected Eliza Collins to be a lodger, but the 1881 census suggests that the building is not operating as a lodging house at this time. I don’t really know where she came from, or went to. I have a potential Eliza Collins visiting her sister and brother-in-law on the April 1881 census, but no mention of the child.
If this page is of interest to you, please get in touch - I’m distantly related to James Rappe.