And a reward of a donation to the charity of your choice in Australia of $20 for the most likely and also the most imaginative solutions to the following complicated conundrum.Whilst it took place in HEF it could have been anywhere rural so read on, please Saturday Aug 10th 1850 Thomas Lippett was born at The Pound, Grendon Bishop, Father John Lippett of that address, Mother Eliza Lippett formerly Baugh. SUNDAY (sic) 11th Aug 1850 The birth was registered by the Father, details as above. Friday Aug 16th 1850 an unnamed child was privately christened at Grendon Bishop - no father - Mother Eliza Baugh - Singlewoman of the parish. Tuesday Aug 20th 1850 John Lippett's sister Ann lent their father 16 pounds (which she had presumably gained as part of a settlement for an illegitimate child she had born 4 years previously) Saturday Aug 24th 1850 the father made a Will mentioning the 16 Pounds. SUNDAY (sic) Sep 8th 1850 John Lippett of full age (he was 28) Batchelor and Eliza Baugh Spinster, a Minor (she was 18), both of the parish, were married by Banns This is entered in the Grendon Bishop parish register but it is written that it took place in the Parish of Hatfield (next door). This is the first of several entries made by a new curate or incumbent so it could be that he just made an error but!! 8th January 1851 John son of Emma Baugh (sister of Eliza and aged 20) Singlewoman of the Parish of Grendon Bishop was christened at Bodenham (her parents parish). Birth Certificate not inspected. 1851 Census has John and Eliza Lippett moved up the hill to Little Hegdon in the West of Pencombe Parish with their son Thomas AND staying at John's parents' cottage (delightfully named Bigfield Green) just down the road is Emma Baugh with her son John as visitors!!!! (Emma never married, John is last heard of unmarried as a Tramp aged 50 in the Police lock up at Seaham in Durham in 1901 so is unlikely to have married and been able to give his father's name if he knew it). Whilst it would appear from the timing that the loan of 16 pounds relates to this complex situation and I understand that a common settlement for bastardy was 30 pounds being made up of 16 pounds for the lying in and a pound a year for 14 years (any comments), it must be mentioned that John Lippett's long widowed grandmother had died in April 1850 so it could possibly have had to do with a property related settlement as the family either owned or leased Bigfield Green (on tithe list for 1837) and he did have a younger brother. Note. Careful checking has established that there was only one John Lippett, one Eliza Baugh and one Emma Baugh available to take part in this mess. Any and all suggestions welcomed as to who did what when and how and to whom. I have some ideas of course but the overall situation is so complex that I'd like yours. Bob Rudd in a very dry and dangerous NSW - so far no fires in our area.