Hi there, yes John and Rebecca had quite a number of children, born in the Belchford region and Tattershall as far as I can see. I was looking at John to see if he connects with my Cunninghams, but so far no result (mine are from the Burgh on Bain, Binbrook and Beelsby areas). John (lived at Driby) and his brother William (moved to Well/Alford) were born at Holbeach to John and Elizabeth. These Cunninghams like my own interestingly used the alias Cunny/Coney, which has made me wonder if they are somewhat connected. There is also a Thomas?Espin Cunningham who was born I think in the 1880s I seem to recall in Tetford, where I think he was buried as a toddler, like I said I haven't looked deeply, just recall seeing something somewhere.
James Espin bachelor of the parish of Louth married Mary Orwell of this parish spinster on 15 Apr 1805 by banns at Thimbleby church (see Lincs to the past, Thimbleby marriages with banns 1754-1813 page 15 botton left) I don't know why she had the baby in Woodhall and then was of this parish at Thimbleby a few weeks later, but this does seem to be the same Mary. Rebecca Orwell was baptised on 27 Jan 1805 at St Margaret church Woodhall, the daughter of Mary Orwell her baptism entry has BB written at the end, which makes me think this may mean bastardy bond. Rebecca was baptised as Orwell, so retained the name, even though it would be highly suggestive that James Espin was her father?
I wonder if Mary Orwell was the daughter of Isaac and Esther born 1788 in Fulletby, ghosh that would make her a young mum too and she would have had a sister called Rebecca, interesting all these biblical names (Isaac, Esther, Rebecca), wonder whether there is any significance?
