"Barchild" on baptism record - see image

[SteveKNS]

Henry Powell was baptised on 28th May 1820 at St Mary's, Harrow, Middlesex. His baptism record indicates that his father was not known, but there is a "Barchild" reference that I haven't seen before - does anyone know anything about this? I assume it just means Henry was illegitimate.

The image shows another baptism, for William Tillyard, by way of comparison.

[Pennines]

Do you think it may be Baschild - for Bastard Child? I do agree that it looks more like an 'r' - but it's a bit squiggly so may be an 's'.

[MaureeninNY]

I think it's base child.

Maureen

EDIT: Or an abbreviation of bastard child/baseborn child....

[SteveKNS]

Thanks for that - bastard child or baseborn child do seem the most likely. I think I got a bit hung up on the "r" 

[Pennines]

Or did you just feel like going to the local bar, Steve!

[SteveKNS]

Yes, I think I need a drink after that 

[Norfolkman47]

I'm wondering whether Barchild could have been the father's surname, the mother not knowing his given name (if perhaps she had been seduced by her employer). That surname is not unknown.
Alternatively could there be a connection with the heraldic bar sinister which I believe was the indication of illegitimacy.
It would be instructive to look elsewhere in the register to see how other illegitimate births are recorded. You don't usually have to look far to find one!

[[Ray]]

Hi     

Compare the "r" from Henry above it, to the letter in "B___.Child."     

R

[Rena]

Having looked at an enlarged negative image, all I can say is it is unusual to start writing an "a" with a straight downward stroke.

Most of the first syllable is a blodge due to too much ink, but I see:-

B i e r child.

I've tried using a wildcard on familysearch of "B*child" but there's too many pages of results to trawl through - but maybe the name is shown on familysearch as:-  "Berechild" or "Bearchild", or, or, or;