Mrs Val Bell (nee Lunn) wrote saying:
My three times great grandfather, Robert Lunn, was born in East Walton in 1770 to Timothy and Mary (nee Felthorpe or Folthorpe). He had two brothers, James born 1768 in West Bilney and Timothy born 1778 in East Walton. Robert's father was a butcher.
Imagine my surpise when I saw a reference to Timothy's birth on your history page under parish registers. Indeed the spelling leaves a lot to be desired as the name is recorded as Timiti(y)Lune.
I have not been able to trace any information about Mary, although I am aware that a Folthorpe Manor existed in Norfolk and wonder if there is any connection with the name.
Timothy appeared to be quite well to do as I have a copy of his will, although he must have been illiterate as he does not sign his name but makes the mark of a cross. Robert must have inherited his fathers estate on the death of his mother as by 1840 he was listed as a gentleman and had some kind of business interests in London.
Unfortunately Timothy's will is written in Olde English, the writing is very small and I can only read some of it. If I manage to get it transcribed I will certainly forward the details.
I am not sure of Timothy's connection with East Walton as the rest of the family tree is centered in and around Kings Lynn and South Lynn. My information shows that Timothy was baptised at St Nicholas (Kings Lynn) on 23rd April 1742. Also according to my information he married Mary Folthorpe (or Felthorpe) on 29th August 1768 at West Bilney (what might be the connection with West Walton as his marriage was in the parish registers for East Walton on your history page?) Timothy was buried at All Saints, South Lynn on 19th July 1808.
Timothy's occupation was a butcher (my four times great grandfather) and I have seen a refernce to him owning a farm somewhere in this area. He was a freeman of Lynn from 1779 - 1780.
Timothy had three sons, Robert baptised 6th May 1770 (my three times great grandfather) at East Walton, James baptised 4th September 1768 at West Bilney (buried 5th July 1786 at East Walton) and Timothy baptised 1773 at East Walton. Robert was married at West Bilney on 25th September 1797 to Elizabeth Crispe. It appears that Robert may have been buried at East Walton although I have yet to confirm this. In historical documents Robert was described as a gentleman.
Timothy the elder had approximately 11 children six of which (including twins) died of smallpox circa 1750. There is an account of his father (another Timothy) going to the workhouse at that time to seek food for the family in exchange for making boots. This Timothy was a cordwainer (bootmaker)
After Roberts death in the mid 19th century his youngest son John Crispe Lunn (my two times great grandfather was an engraver in Norfolk St, Kings Lynn) moved his family to Islington, Middlesex between 1840 and 1848. By 1849 this family had moved back to Norfolk as John was listed as station master at Little Dunham station.
As far as I know the only family connection with Norfolk now is Ellen Lunn the surviving wife of John's great nephew Reginald who lives in Swaffham.
Page published: 1 December 2006