Paternity and Illegitimacy: A Problem for Church and State at Cape Town, to the Mid 1800s

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Periodical article

Title:	Paternity and Illegitimacy: A Problem for Church and State at Cape Town, to the Mid 1800s
Author:	Malherbe, V.C.
Year:	2006
Periodical:	South African Historical Journal
Issue:	55
Pages:	66-87
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	extramarital sexuality illegitimate children family law social history 1700-1799 1800-1849 Urbanization and Migration History and Exploration Ethnic and Race Relations Religion and Witchcraft
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582470609464931
Abstract:	Using records kept by Church and State, this paper addresses the question of illegitimacy in early Cape Town, South Africa, by investigating fatherhood with respect to children born out of wedlock. It roughly covers the period 1750-1850. Who were the men? What is the evidence for sexual, nonmarital relationships across ethnic or religious lines, and between free persons and slaves? On what grounds were allegations of paternity challenged or established, that is, how did the law treat this issue? What sanctions against sexual misconduct were applied by society at large and its religious institutions? The study concludes with some reflections respecting fatherhood within the relationships of concubinage and promiscuity in Cape Town in the period defined. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]