Willmerson to Robinson - but why?

[Cockerpoo Dad]

Willmerson does seem to morph into Williamson the further back you go in Whissonsett records! Is that to do with illiteracy?

Is the en-masse baptism unusual? I’m sure I’ve come across the same in other parts of my FH, but what would compel parents to do all the children at the same time?

I don’t know what happened to Eliza after her baptism.

As for Henry, he is my GG Grandfather. In 1871 he pops up as a servant on a farm in Marske which is run by a George Dove. Again his surname is Robinson.
Henry had an unfortunate, nasty death - fell into a hot brine pan at the age of 41 in Port Clarence.

[CaroleW]

Long shot

Could John have been illegitimate & born as Robinson?

Mum then married Mr Williamson/Willmerson so John was known under his stepfathers surname.

At some later stage - & I still can't offer a reason - he decided to use his birth surname

I have come across instances of the above when researching

Does he give a fathers name on the 1854 marriage cert?

[Comberton]

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-653S-8R2?i=35&cc=1416598

Father was John Williamson labourer

[Raybistre]

In my family there were variations on the surname of the father who was illegitimate. The children were known by either surname, sometimes changing from one to the other and back again. One of the sons used both surnames at the same time, ie John Smith Jones sometimes and occasionally reversing that so it became John Jones Smith!
The things our ancestors do to confuse us!
Ray

[Cockerpoo Dad]

No indications of illegitimacy that I can see.
As above, John’s father is named Williamson on the marriage cert. and there is a Mary Ann Williamson as a witness (sister possibly).

John was Christened on July 30th 1826 at Stanfield, Norfolk. Father John Wilmerson, mother Hannah.

The only other thing which I wondered about is this:
John had a brother, called Fuller (1834-1912). He served 20yrs in prison for attempting to murder his wife (1881 census is in prison in Portsea). Was a name change brought about by disassociation? I don’t know the date of Fullers trial as to whether dates match up however.

[Comberton]

There are many newspaper reports of the attack by Fuller Williamson which took place in February 1878 and he was sentenced in August 1878.

[amondg]

Baptism of all the children.

Possibly they left for Yorkshire shortly afterwards, and in case something happened to the parents the children would have a village they were associated with, if in need of parish assistance.

[Cockerpoo Dad]

There are many newspaper reports of the attack by Fuller Williamson which took place in February 1878 and he was sentenced in August 1878.

Thank you. The date rules out disassociation then.

[Cockerpoo Dad]

Baptism of all the children.

Possibly they left for Yorkshire shortly afterwards, and in case something happened to the parents the children would have a village they were associated with, if in need of parish assistance.

Thank you. Makes sense I guess. Plus extended family remaining in the village.