@starsstorm @HebrideanHecate @Flick Which scenario is more likely?

1) Betty and Bill are a young couple from Yorkshire. They come into some money, and decide to get a ticket to America. En route, Betty tragically succumbs to any of the myriad of horrible things that killed people on transatlantic voyages in the early 19th century. Bill prays really hard, and God makes a miracle so that Bill starts lactating and their infant survives.

2) Betty and Whilemina are a couple of lesbians from Yorkshire. They get outed, and one or both of them is subjected to corrective rape. A pregnancy results. Whilemina is big boned and tall for a woman, so she steals her brother's clothes, cuts off her hair,and starts calling herself Bill. They scrape together enough money for a ticket to America. En route, Betty tragically succumbs to any of the myriad of horrible things that killed people on transatlantic voyages in the early 19th century. Bill has been secretly helping out with nursemaid duties, since she recently miscarried (or maybe the child was actually hers to start with), and gets caught breastfeeding. She tells everyone she prayed really hard, and God made a miracle so that a man would start lactating and their infant would survive. Most of the women on board know she's a woman, but they think it's hilarious that the men think she's a man,so they don't out her.

This doesn't even take into account the young widow who wants other men to leave her alone, so she puts on her husband's clothes and uses his name. Lots of possibilities, is what I'm saying.