Esdail Watkinson

[Pheno]

There's a birth record for a George Watkinson at Halstead Sep 1842 on Free BMD which doesn't fit the OP's list so I went to check gro for a second name, possibly Esdail.  However, I can't find the same record on gro.

Pheno

[Jebber]

Have you considered that Esdail and Ellen didn’t marry until after the children were born?

I see in the 1861  census that Esdail was using the name James. There is a marriage in 1893 of James  WATKINSON To Ellen Cutting WARNER, the marriage is in Norfolk, this would fit with them going away to marry to conceal the fact they had their family out of wedlock.

1893 June Norwich Vol. 4b. P.197.

Amendment
I should have said the 1871 census not 61.

[rosie99]

There's a birth record for a George Watkinson at Halstead Sep 1842 on Free BMD which doesn't fit the OP's list so I went to check gro for a second name, possibly Esdail.  However, I can't find the same record on gro.

Pheno

Death Sep qtr 1842   
WATKINSON    George    age 0    Halstead    12   83

[Jebber]

Ignore my message about the 1893 marriage in Norwich, here is the correct one.

1867 December Qtr.  Esdail  Allen WATKINSON Vol. 4 p.683
1867 December Qtr. Ellen WORNER Vol. 4a p.683
(Note the spelling of Ellen’s Surname.)

[mezentia]

I think the volume 3b birth index reference to Esdail junior is a mistake. The entry after Esdail's is volume 3B.

I had already found the Esdail jnr and Mary Warner/Worner marriage. The surname is spelled Worner on the registration for one of their children.

I've checked the 1843 birth index images for Esdail, senior and can't find him. Could his birth have not been registered?

[Jebber]

It’s possible the birth was not registered, it was very early in registration.
I have some where the first children were not registered in the early years, but later ones were.

[amondg]

They did not baptize the children either, checked Little Maplestead and Pebmarsh.
Unless they were non conformist