Extract from a letter from Lt John Vandeleur to his mother, October 3rd 1813:
"I am very glad to hear that you have met with so much civility at Weymouth. The Willis’s were always very polite to the officers of the depôts, but the poor girls were quizzed sadly, they went by the names of Dory Ann, Hatchet Fan, Spapes, etc.; nevertheless they are very nice sort of girls. "

Anyone able to enlighten me as to the significance of the nicknames bestowed on the Willis girls?

With thanks, Andrew