You’re probably right, Frances, in saying that Robert Henry Corkill b 1856 may not have known his father and may have been mistaken re his occupation.

But I wouldn’t completely rule out the notion of a 21 yr old woman and a 14 yr old youth creating a child --- a one-off drunken fumble that goes too far is all it takes. As for the resources needed for advocates’ fees etc, perhaps the father of the wayward youth would have taken a charitable position and seen this from the point of view of the woman who had produced his grandson, and willingly provided the money to support her.

As you say in an earlier message, Elizabeth Christian’s mother Isabella Cain had a history of producing children with different fathers prior to her first marriage, and, when widowed, went on to marry John Sayle who was 22 years her junior.

I've just read your 12-00 message so here's the 1854 marriage of John Sayle and Isabella Caine:

JS full age bachelor, labourer, Knock Sharree, father Robert Sayle, labourer.

Isabella Caine full age widow, Knock Sharree, father Thos Caine, labourer.

Witnesses: William Callister and Philip Clucas, parish clerk.

*******

Isabella must have given birth around the time of the marriage --- the child was baptised shortly afterwards, so John Sayle might not have been the biological father. She’s listed as “step-daughter” in John Sayle’s 1861 household.

Catharine Jane Sayle
Isle of Man Parish Registers
Other information in the record of Catharine Jane Sayle
from Isle of Man Parish Registers
Event Type Christening
Event Date 16 Jun 1854
Event Place German, Isle of Man
Gender Female
Father's Name John Sayle
Mother's Name Isabella Cain

*******

1861

Stockfield, Malew

Name Age
John Sayle 28
Isabella Sayle 50
William Gawne 20
Eleanor Gawne 30
Isabella Kinrade 15
Catherine Sayle 6
Robert Corkhill 4
William Gawne 6 Months

*******

Jean C