Hi, I just discovered this thread today
Descended from Giles Rumble etc son Thomas.
I'm interested in Emma Rumble born 1837...did she really have 7 illegitimate children as well as the two by Richard Mills...or was she married to a cousin with the same name?
Amanda
That's an interesting one!
Banns were called for Richard Mills and Emma Rumble in September 1858 but the register notes
"NB Not married. Three months expired Dec 19."
They finally got around to tying the knot on 12 September 1875. Better late than never!
Emma seems to have had ten children before the two born in wedlock. Three died in infancy. Of course the Rector would have been aware that Richard & Emma weren't married. I think it was the same incumbent throughout the period of interest.
In 1861 Emma was living with her sister Martha and the two eldest children, Elizabeth Ann and William Richard, but I don't know where Richard was.
In 1871 Richard and Emma appear to be living together with all the children, but he is shown separately as a lodger, so that was glossed over

And in 1881 the whole family appears as Mills.
Do you have the baptisms for all the children? Most of them have godparents entered as well, which is a nice bonus.