Case ID: nh_3/html/0316-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      By the court.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

THE TOWN OF DORCHESTER vs. THE TOWN OF DEERFIELD.
    .Under the statute of January 1, 17 90, illegitimate children retain the settlement oí their mothers, at the time of their birth, and do not change their settlements with the mothers, if the latter gaiu a new one.
    Assumpsit for the support of two children, paupers, alleged to be settled in the town of Deerfield.
    The cause was tried here, at November term, 1824, upon the general issue ; when it appeared, that one of the paupers was of the age of nine years, and the other of the age of seven years ; and that they were the illegitimate children of Susanna Thurston, who, at the time of their birth, had her legal settlement in the town of Deerfield. In 1821 the said Susanna was married to Henry Lillis, who had his settlement in the town of Dorchester. It also appeared, that the said Henry and Susanna had lived together in Dor-chester for more than twenty years, as man and wife ; and - ' as had seven children, reputed to be the children of ‘f said Lillis.
    
    On the part of Deerfield, it was contended, that these children, being illegitimate and living with the mother at the time of her marriage, changed their settlement with her upon that event ; but the court being of a different opinion, a verdict was taken for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the court upon the foregoing case.
    
      Noyes, for the plaintiff.
    
      Sullivan, for the defendant.
   By the court.

We are of opinion, that illegitimate children retain the settlement of their mothers, at the time of their birth, until they acquire one of their own, and do not change their settlements with their mothers, when the latter acquire a new one. The statute enacts, that u legitimate children shall have the settlement of their father, if he “ shall have any such within this state, until they gain a set- “ tlement of their own.” But “ illegitimate children shall “ have the settlement of their mother at the time of their birth, if she shall have any within this state.” 1 N. H. Laws, 362. Legitimate children have always been understood to follow the settlement of the father, until emancipated. But illegitimate children have the settlement of the mother at the time of their birth, by the express words of the statute, and have never been understood to follow the settlement of the mother, if she acquire any new one after-wards. 13 Mass. Rep. 381, Boylston vs. Princeton.1 Pick. 144.—12 Mass. Rep. 429.

There must, therefore, b'e

Judgment on the verdict.