1894 handwritten legal document from a parent agreeing to take baby from a woman their son impregnated, Sugarloaf Township in Luzerne County PA

Sugarloaf Township, PA: 1894. 12 x 8 inches, single sheet. B. Stauffer agrees to care for and raise a baby that their son fathered, with the mother agreeing to sign away all rights, etc. to the baby. It is unclear to us whether the signer is male or female -- our guess would be female. What is clear is that the pregnant woman is unmarried and has agreed for the sum of $60 to give up all rights to the child, and that the
Stauffers have also agreed to take in the child and raise it as their own. The text transcribed: "Whereas Mary J. Weaver of Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County PA has charged my son Wallace Stauffer of being the father of a child of which she is now pregnant. And whereas said Mary J. Weaver has for the consideration of $60, signed a release, bearing even date here of releasing my said son Wallace Stauffer, his heirs, executors, administrators, of and from all manner of criminal and civil action or actions now brought and for the maintenance, education, and bringing up of said child, now in consideration of the aforesaid release as well as one dollar to me in hand paid the receipt, whereof I do hereby acknowledge, I do hereby agree, and by myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, to receive in my house the said child, aforesaid, after the same is two months old and keep the same, and maintain, educate and bring up as if it was my own child, in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal at Sugarloaf Township PA this 27th Day of March AD1894 [with witness signatures and her signature]." Along with this will be included a letter from a H. V. Stauffer to a Miss Mame Weaver, from Nuremberg PA dated Sept. 4, 1893, about getting a marriage license for their marriage. Not sure of this would be the same couple as Wallace Stauffer and Mary Weaver -- perhaps both parties had a brother and a sister who were also romantically entwined. We are also enclosing an 1896 marriage certificate between a Mary A. Weaver and Norman J. Raedler, Conyngham PA (which is the same as Sugarloaf Township). Very good. Item #h44837

Price: $75.00