Hello, does anyone have access to any bastardry/examination records from around 1805/6. My ancestor Benjamin Moore (born about 1755/1763 died 1845) lived in Westbury Brook. His wife Jane (nee Bright) died in 1802 (as posted on other posts). In 1805 there was a baptism of an illegitimate child Ann to Sarah Pride and Benjamin Moore (bap 5 May 1805). Sarah and Ann's whereabouts after this remain unknown, but Ann is not listed in Benjamin's will in 1845.
Clearly, as it is unusual for a father to be named in the baptism of an illegitimate child, the parish (or priest) clearly held him responsible, and so their must be bastardry records (or some such) or quarter sessions mentioning this, as he would be financially liable for the child.

As I live in Australia, I don't have access to the Gloucestershire Archives, but wondered if anyone on here had access to any of these records, if they exist at all still? He never married Sarah and she disappears after this, probably marrying elsewhere, and Ann may have taken the step father's name. Or she died. Can't find a burial anywhere. I was hoping bastardry records or whatever would shed a little more light on Benjamin and Sarah in this regard.

Here's hoping. Thanks.

Kind regards,
Belinda.