I have a Filiation Order for a William Wearden, named as the father of a female child of Ellen Hornby of Alston-and-Hothersall, Lancashire. The Order is dated 15 May 1813. I am making a list of the possible William Weardens and the one I like best (on the basis of proximity) would only have been 20 when the Order was made. Did a man have to be 21 to be taken to court? I wouldn't have thought so, but I know under-21's weren't responsible for debt, for instance. Anyone know if there is a lower limit to legal responsibility in such cases, or did they reckon that if a lad was old enough to do it, he was old enough to take the rap!
Barbara