Nothing is known of John Spinks' life before his conviction for burglary in 1813. Edmund Spincks (1747/48-1816) and Sarah Crick seem to be the most likely parents of John. They were married at Great Weinetham, Suffolk in 1774. Edmund and Sarah had a son, John, baptised 3 July 1785. Other children of the marriage were Sarah 1775, Edmund, 1778 and Anne, 1788.
We are indebted to Norma Goodwin, who did the original research on the Spinks family and provided the information contained in these pages.