Hello again
Thank you so much, I think I have been researching the right family of Webbs, but have got some conflicting info which has sent me off in the wrong direction.
It does look as if my William Webb born 1852 in Ware was living with Emma's sister Sarah in 1861 and 1871.
It also looks as if in 1871 there was another nephew William J Webb born in Poplar in 1859 was also living with Sarah and Joseph Rudd.
I think this second nephew William J, was the son of Emma and Sarah's brother William Webb and his wife Mary Cakebread. This William died sometime before 1871, as it looks like Mary his wife was in Ware poorhouse on 1871 census, with children Elizabeth aged 8, George I Webb aged 6, Arthur E aged 3 and Albert W aged 2 months.
Golly all these William Webb's make it very confusing.
There is another widow, Mary Webb on the 1871 census for Poplar with son George J and nephew William born in Ware, but aged 29
I am trying to unravel all this info as feel sure they are all connected.
I think you are right and my William was the illigitimate son of Emma Webb, but I now wonder if I was wrong that the same Emma Webb married Henry Derby and if not, what happened to Emma
