FindMyPast are offering 50 free Credits as part of their Start Your Family Tree Week (26 Dec - 01 Jan).   Information at the bottom right hand side of the Home page: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/   I managed to find Seamen's Tickets for two elusive ancestors and have gone from knowing nothing about them to knowing date of birth, birthplace and physical appearance including distinguishing mark so that was a very nice Christmas present from FindMyPast.  Does anyone know how to interpret the numbers in the year columns that presumably indicate voyages?   Regards,   Joy

My Uncle Marcus Spray was also landlord of this hotel..not sure but think in the 50s/60s Cheers Julie......who is still trying to come to grips with a computer crash and now windows 8

------Original Message------ From: Julia Mosman Sender: [email protected] To: [email protected] To: [email protected] ReplyTo: [email protected] Subject: [CORNISH-GEN] West Briton, 9 January 1857, Qtr. Sessions, part 2 - Trials of prisoners Sent: Dec 26, 2012 7:55 PM WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER . 9 JANUARY 1857 . QUARTER SESSIONS, PART 2 . TRIALS RESUMED . ELIZABETH CHAMPION was charged with stealing a pair of trowsers, the property of Francis BURROW, at Redruth, on the 10th of November. Prisoner went into prosecutor's tailor's shop and asked to look at some jackets; a pair of trowsers was afterwards missed and found at prisoner’s house; it did not appear that her husband had any knowledge of what she had done. Verdict, GUILTY. . There were two other indictments against the prisoner, for stealing from John COCKING, at Redruth, and from Thomas LEGGO; but these indictments were not prosecuted. ......................................... . WILLIAM BROWN was charged, for that being a servant to Joseph THOMAS, of Truro, he stole a quantity of oats his property; and in a second count the property was laid as being in the possession and power of the master. Mr. SHILSON conducted the prosecution, and Mr. STOKES the defence. . Evidence was given in this case at considerable length. It appeared that Mr. Joseph Thomas had sold a quantity of oats to Mr. Timothy SARAH, of Pentewan, in the parish of St. Austell; and on the 8th of August last, he directed prisoner, who was in his employ, to take thirty Cornish bushels to Mr. Sarah in his (Mr. Thomas's) waggon. They were sent from prosecutor's stores in twenty bags, and Thomas CLEMENTS and Christopher NANCOLLIS, in the employ of prosecutor, gave evidence of the delivery of the twenty bags to prisoner from prosecutor's stores. . It appeared that on their arrival at Pentewan, Mr. Sarah desired his son to receive the oats from prisoner; he received, however, but nineteen bags, and on looking into the waggon he saw there another bag, which he told prisoner belonged to his father; upon which prisoner said it did not, it belonged to Mr. Thomas, of Grampound. Mr. Sarah, jun., asked him why he had not left it at Mr. Thomas's, Grampound, being on his way to Pentewan; to which prisoner replied that he forgot to do so. Prisoner left Mr. Sarah's premises, and afterwards, on his way to St. Austell, met Mr. Craggs's van of Mevagissey, upon which he sold a bag of oats he had in the waggon to Mr. Edmund Craggs, the carrier, for 7s.6d. . Mr. E. CRAGGS said prisoner told him he had been to Mevagissey, and had a bushel more than the owner would take; that the oats were Mr. Thomas's and that it was his waggon; and that if he (Craggs) would leave the bag at Mr. Thomas's at Grampound, prisoner would call for it, as he was coming there with a load of oats next day. It further appeared that on Mr. Sarah finding he had only nineteen bags instead of twenty, he wrote to Mr. Joseph Thomas, at Truro, who on the 12th day of August spoke to prisoner on the subject, and accused him of stealing the bag, containing a bushel and a half. He admitted that he sold it to Craggs for 7s.6d. . The prosecutor was closely CROSS-EXAMINED by Mr. STOKES, and admitted that he did not take steps for apprehending prisoner on the 12th of August; he said he told him he should prosecute him. About a fortnight after, early one morning he again saw him, and again about a fortnight after that, when prisoner was carrying something and appeared to be going away. . >From further cross-examination, it appeared that Mr. Hichens, the agent of the Truro Shipping Company, had been to prosecutor about some teas lost from the Truro quay, and it was after that prosecutor caused prisoner to be apprehended. Prisoner had been working on the Cornwall Railway near St. Germans, and prosecutor heard from prisoner's father that he was coming home at Christmas; when he came home he had him apprehended. After Mr. Hichens had asked about the teas, prosecutor inquired where prisoner was, and Hichens refused to tell. The bushel and a half had been sent by Craggs to Sarah, by advice of prosecutor through Mr. COLLINS, of Church-lane, Truro, Craggs's father-in-law. . These were the main facts of the case; and in defence Mr. STOKES submitted that Thomas ought not to have brought this prosecu Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

In case this helps someone - >The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, transcribed by Bill Curnow >Friday, 09 Jan 1857 >. >BIRTHS >At Melbourne, South Australia, on the 7th of September last, the wife of >Mr. Alexander MATTHEWS, late of the Commercial Hotel, Camborne, of a daughter. This is Lucy Anna Matthews dau of Alexander Matthews and Margery Armstrong, birth registered at Castlemaine, Victoria (South Australia here refers to Southern Australia not the State) >At Sulky Diggings, Australia, the wife of Mr. Francis ORGAN, formerly of >Penzance, of a son; and on the 3rd of September, the wife of Mr. John SAMPSON, >jun., formerly of Penzance and Helston, of a son. Could not locate the child of Francis Organ but Stephen Sampson born to John Sampson and Mary Jane Organ, registered at Creswick, Victoria. I wonder if Francis and Mary Jane are related? Lyn in Melbourne

Lyn, You hit the nail on the head when you speculated as to a possible relationship between Francis ORGAN and Mary Jane ORGAN (Mrs. John Sampson): >>The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, transcribed by Bill Curnow >>Friday, 09 Jan 1857 >>. >>BIRTHS >> >>At Sulky Diggings, Australia, the wife of Mr. Francis ORGAN, formerly of >>Penzance, of a son; and on the 3rd of September, the wife of Mr. John >>SAMPSON, >>jun., formerly of Penzance and Helston, of a son. > > Could not locate the child of Francis Organ but Stephen Sampson born to > John > Sampson and Mary Jane Organ, registered at Creswick, Victoria. I wonder > if Francis and Mary Jane are related? Francis ORGAN and Mary Jane ORGAN were siblings, children of John and Mary P. ORGAN. The ORGAN family lived at Market Jew Street, Penzance at the 1841 and 1851 Census. John ORGAN was a businessman described at various times as a flour dealer, a manager, and a merchant. When his daughter Mary Jane married John SAMPSON at Madron in 1854, The West Briton (Friday, 08 Sep 1854) said John was "manager of the London and Penzance Serpentine Works." Mary Jane ORGAN was born at Penzance circa 1831. She married John SAMPSON at Madron on 05 Sep 1854. John was born at Penzance and baptized at Gulval on 30 Mar 1834, the son of John SAMPSON & Catherine WILLIAMS. He was a butcher of Helston when he married. Francis ORGAN was about 4 years younger than his sister Mary Jane. I have not located him in the 1851 Census, nor have I found record of his marriage. It is possible that he married after emigrating to Australia. Bill Curnow Port Charlotte, FL, USA

The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, transcribed by Bill Curnow Friday, 09 Jan 1857 . BIRTHS . At Truro, on Wednesday last, the wife of Mr. W. J. CLYMA, of a daughter. . At Truro, on Wednesday last, the wife of Mr. Thomas P. HICKS, bookbinder, of a daughter. . At Falmouth, on Sunday last, the wife of Mr. John BASTIAN, of a daughter. . At Ludgvan, the wife of Mr. Uriah CURNOW, of twin daughters, since dead. . At Hayle, on the 25th ult., the wife of Mr. William SHERMAN, of a son. . At Hayle Foundry, on the 28th ult., the wife of Mr. William THOMAS, of a son. . At Trevassack, near Hayle, on the 29th ult., the wife of Mr. Thomas BREE, of a son. . At Under Cliff, Phillack, on the 30th ult., the wife of Mr. Thomas BARKER, of a daughter. . At Tregajorran, in the parish of Illogan, the wife of Mr. Stephen JOHNS, of a daughter. . At Portreath, on Saturday last, the wife of Mr. John LANGDON, of a son. . At Redruth, the wife of Mr. S. P. TROUNCE, of a daughter; and the wife of Mr. Joseph MORCOM, of a son. . At Laity Mills, near Redruth, the wife of Mr. Samuel Henry TROUNCE, of a daughter. . At Thorn Arch Cottage, St. Day, on the 1st instant, the wife of Mr. William Henry BRAY, of a son. . At Mevagissey, on Sunday last, the wife of Capt. Joseph CLARK, of a daughter. . At Charlestown, on Monday last, the wife of Mr. James STEPHENS, of a daughter. . At Roche, on Tuesday last, the wife of Mr. Robert JULYAN, of a son, since dead. . At East Looe, on Sunday last, the wife of Capt. Joseph DAVEY, of the schooner "Elizabeth Davey," of a daughter. . At Shuta, Looe, on Monday last, Mrs. FISK, of a daughter. . At East Looe, on the 1st instant, the wife of Mr. CONGDON, of a son; and the wife of Mr. DANN, master of the schooner "Susan," of a son. . At Fowey, on Tuesday last, the wife of Mr. W. WORTH, of the schooner "Hope," of a son. . At Newquay, on Tuesday last, the wife of Mr. John REYNOLDS, of a son. . At Hexworthy, Launceston, on the 30th ult., the wife of J. Nicholson VOWLER, Esq., of a daughter. . At Abbotsfield, near Tavistock, on the 30th ult., the wife of Thomas MORRIS, Esq., of a daughter. . At Kingsbridge, on Monday last, the wife of J. ELLIOT, Esq., of a son. . At the Parsonage, Fordcombe, Tunbridge Wells, on the 1st instant, the wife of the Rev. W. J. TREVENEN, of a daughter. . At Melbourne, South Australia, on the 7th of September last, the wife of Mr. Alexander MATTHEWS, late of the Commercial Hotel, Camborne, of a daughter. . At Sulky Diggings, Australia, the wife of Mr. Francis ORGAN, formerly of Penzance, of a son; and on the 3rd of September, the wife of Mr. John SAMPSON, jun., formerly of Penzance and Helston, of a son. . . MARRIAGES . At Truro, on the 26th ult., Mr. W. H. WILLIAMS to Miss C. J. JENNINGS, both of Truro . At the Registrar’s Office, Falmouth, on the 24th ult., Mr. William HILL, of Falmouth, to Miss E. OATES, daughter of the late Mr. Mark OATES, of the same place; on the 30th, Mr. William SAY to Mary Jane, daughter of Mr. George RADFORD, of the Jolly Tar Inn, Falmouth; and Mr. John ROGERS to Miss Joanna KNUCKEY, both of the parish of St. Gluvias. . At the Wesleyan Chapel, Falmouth, on the 23rd ult., Mr. John Joseph LIBBY, eldest son of Capt. LIBBY, of the "Sir F. Drake" steamer, to Eliza Baker, eldest daughter of Mr. J. PIDWELL, both of that place. . At the Association Chapel, Helston, on the 1st instant, the Rev. George DOBSON, of Shropshire, Primitive Wesleyan Minister, to Avis Morley, third daughter of the late Mr. Isaiah JAMES of the former place. . At Madron, on Tuesday last, Mr. Henry WILCOCK, of Gulval, to Susan, only daughter of Mr. B. BROWN, of Penzance. . At the Registrar's Office, Penzance, on Friday last, Mr. John GRENFELL, of Boscaswell, to Mrs. Susan HICKS, of Carnyorth. . At Ludgvan, on the 20th ult., Mr. Thomas JENKYN, of St. Erth, to Mary, only daughter of Mr. Henry IVEY, of Truthwall Mills, in the former parish. . At the Wesleyan Chapel, Hayle, Mr. James REED to Miss Miriam KEMP, of Illogan. . At Camborne, on the 25th ult., Mr. William DAVEY to Miss Elizabeth GLASSON; and on Sunday last, Mr. William Sampson MICHELL to Miss Emma TEMBY. . At Penponds, near Camborne, Mr. Richard JEFFREE to Miss Elizabeth A. MARKS. . At Ladock, on Sunday last, Mr. William OSBORNE, of Probus, to Miss Elizabeth PENROSE, of the parish of Ladock. . At St. Kew, on the 1st instant, by the Rev. John GLENCROSS, rector of Helland, and uncle of the bride, Frederick Leigh, son of William HUTCHINS, Esq., 25 Hanover-square, London, to Emily, daughter of the late Rev. Nicholas EVERY, vicar of St. Veep, and sister of the Rev. Nicholas T. EVERY, vicar of St.Kew. . At Bodmin, on the 29th ult., Mr. John BROWNFOOT, one of the keepers of the Lunatic Asylum, to Miss Elizabeth TREMAIN, of the same place. . At the Registrar's Office, Bodmin, on the 31st ult., Mr. William MAY, of Lanivet, to Miss Martha HICK, of Luxulyan. . At Padstow, on Monday last, Capt. H. TABB, of the smack "Melicent," to Miss Betsy SLEEMAN, of Padstow. . At Tickencote, Rutland, on the 1st instant, by the Rev. F. GRETTON, John May ANDREW, Esq., M.R.C.S., of Haverstock Hill, London, third son of Christopher Thomas ANDREW, Esq., of Menker, St. Mabyn, in this county, to Mary Adeliza, elder daughter of Michael BRADFORD, Esq., of the former place. . At Marlborough, Wilts, on the 31st ult., Mr. P. C. Jenkins, of London, formerly of Mevagissey, to Jane, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Benjamin MICHELL, of Mevagissey. . . DEATHS . At Truro, on Monday last, Samuel MOYLE, Esq., aged 72 years. Mr. MOYLE possessed considerable talents as an engineer, and was the projector of many scientific inventions. . At Haye, Callington, on Monday last, Elizabeth Davey, daughter of the late John HAYE, Esq. . At St. Stephens in Branwell, on Friday last, Mr. Richard ARTHUR, aged 88 years. . At Mevagissey, on the 29th ult., Mrs. Joanna PEARCE, aged 86 years. . At Fowey, on Friday last, Miss Sarah WILLCOCKS. . At Treator, near Padstow, on the 31st ult., Mr. John TREDWEN, sen., aged 73 years. . At Knackersknowle, on Friday last, Mr. COLTON, aged 78 years. . At St. Stephens, on the 31st ult., Mrs. LEE, sister of the above Mrs. COLTON, aged 86 years. . Julia M. . West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell

Hi Meli, A quick Google search will get you loads of hits on the Portreath Hotel, Illogan including this one (their website) which includes the hotel history and old photos of the hotel. http://bit.ly/V89btY You can use FreeCen at http://www.freecen.org.uk/ to find Charles & Jane HARVEY from 1861 census on, and to find each of them as single people in 1851 & 1841. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 11:10 AM Subject: [CORNISH-GEN] Harvey~Phillips marriage > Hi, All, > > Does anyone know anything of this couple or of the inn referred to in > Illogan? > > “ > West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday 22nd August, 1856 > Marriages: > At Illogan, on the 14th instant, Mr. CHARLES HARVEY, of the Portreath > Hotel, to JANE, eldest daughter of Mr. PHILLIPS, innkeeper, Illogan.” > > Thanks for any help you can offer. Happy New Year, Meli in freezing > cold Texas > > ------------------------------- > Listmom: [email protected] or [email protected] > > Visit the OPC (Online Parish Clerk) web page for transcription information > http://www.cornwall-opc.org/ > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi, All, Does anyone know anything of this couple or of the inn referred to in Illogan? “ West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. Friday 22nd August, 1856 Marriages: At Illogan, on the 14th instant, Mr. CHARLES HARVEY, of the Portreath Hotel, to JANE, eldest daughter of Mr. PHILLIPS, innkeeper, Illogan.” Thanks for any help you can offer. Happy New Year, Meli in freezing cold Texas

WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER . 9 JANUARY 1857 . QUARTER SESSIONS, PART 2 . TRIALS RESUMED . ELIZABETH CHAMPION was charged with stealing a pair of trowsers, the property of Francis BURROW, at Redruth, on the 10th of November. Prisoner went into prosecutor's tailor's shop and asked to look at some jackets; a pair of trowsers was afterwards missed and found at prisoner’s house; it did not appear that her husband had any knowledge of what she had done. Verdict, GUILTY. . There were two other indictments against the prisoner, for stealing from John COCKING, at Redruth, and from Thomas LEGGO; but these indictments were not prosecuted. ......................................... . WILLIAM BROWN was charged, for that being a servant to Joseph THOMAS, of Truro, he stole a quantity of oats his property; and in a second count the property was laid as being in the possession and power of the master. Mr. SHILSON conducted the prosecution, and Mr. STOKES the defence. . Evidence was given in this case at considerable length. It appeared that Mr. Joseph Thomas had sold a quantity of oats to Mr. Timothy SARAH, of Pentewan, in the parish of St. Austell; and on the 8th of August last, he directed prisoner, who was in his employ, to take thirty Cornish bushels to Mr. Sarah in his (Mr. Thomas's) waggon. They were sent from prosecutor's stores in twenty bags, and Thomas CLEMENTS and Christopher NANCOLLIS, in the employ of prosecutor, gave evidence of the delivery of the twenty bags to prisoner from prosecutor's stores. . It appeared that on their arrival at Pentewan, Mr. Sarah desired his son to receive the oats from prisoner; he received, however, but nineteen bags, and on looking into the waggon he saw there another bag, which he told prisoner belonged to his father; upon which prisoner said it did not, it belonged to Mr. Thomas, of Grampound. Mr. Sarah, jun., asked him why he had not left it at Mr. Thomas's, Grampound, being on his way to Pentewan; to which prisoner replied that he forgot to do so. Prisoner left Mr. Sarah's premises, and afterwards, on his way to St. Austell, met Mr. Craggs's van of Mevagissey, upon which he sold a bag of oats he had in the waggon to Mr. Edmund Craggs, the carrier, for 7s.6d. . Mr. E. CRAGGS said prisoner told him he had been to Mevagissey, and had a bushel more than the owner would take; that the oats were Mr. Thomas's and that it was his waggon; and that if he (Craggs) would leave the bag at Mr. Thomas's at Grampound, prisoner would call for it, as he was coming there with a load of oats next day. It further appeared that on Mr. Sarah finding he had only nineteen bags instead of twenty, he wrote to Mr. Joseph Thomas, at Truro, who on the 12th day of August spoke to prisoner on the subject, and accused him of stealing the bag, containing a bushel and a half. He admitted that he sold it to Craggs for 7s.6d. . The prosecutor was closely CROSS-EXAMINED by Mr. STOKES, and admitted that he did not take steps for apprehending prisoner on the 12th of August; he said he told him he should prosecute him. About a fortnight after, early one morning he again saw him, and again about a fortnight after that, when prisoner was carrying something and appeared to be going away. . >From further cross-examination, it appeared that Mr. Hichens, the agent of the Truro Shipping Company, had been to prosecutor about some teas lost from the Truro quay, and it was after that prosecutor caused prisoner to be apprehended. Prisoner had been working on the Cornwall Railway near St. Germans, and prosecutor heard from prisoner's father that he was coming home at Christmas; when he came home he had him apprehended. After Mr. Hichens had asked about the teas, prosecutor inquired where prisoner was, and Hichens refused to tell. The bushel and a half had been sent by Craggs to Sarah, by advice of prosecutor through Mr. COLLINS, of Church-lane, Truro, Craggs's father-in-law. . These were the main facts of the case; and in defence Mr. STOKES submitted that Thomas ought not to have brought this prosecution against the prisoner; that he had shown by his conduct he did not at first mean to take any proceedings in the matter, he owing the prisoner something for wages; and it was only after he was told of what Brown could state about the teas, and a demand had been made by the agent of the Shipping Company, that he showed any intention to prosecute the man. Mr. Stokes submitted it was a case which ought not to have been brought before a criminal tribunal; and that Thomas, if it had not been for certain circumstances, would not have brought it there. Further he contended that the evidence was insufficient to support a charge of felony; and to show this he commented on prosecutor's statements, on the fact that Craggs could not identify prisoner, and other circumstances. . The CHAIRMAN having summed up the case, the jury deliberated about half an hour, and then found the prisoner Guilty. . The Grand Jury were discharged shortly before five o'clock, the Chairman thanking them, on behalf of the county, for their services. ............................... . BILLS IGNORED - The Grand Jury ignored the bill against David BARRETT and George HOWARD, charged with stealing a donkey from Thomas TOMS, at St. Martins by Looe; the bill against Thomas PENROSE, charged with stealing sheaves of oats from Joseph LAWRY, of St. Just in Penwith; and the bill against Mary WILLCOCKS, charged with stealing an umbrella from Benjamin ANDREW of St. Austell. . SECOND COURT . WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 . (Before C.B. Graves Sawle, Esq., M.P.) . ELIZA COMBE, 19, pleaded GUILTY of stealing a frock, quantity of ribbon, and a comb, the property of Annie Kate ARNALL, at Camelford, on the 28th of November. . .............................. . GUILLAUME LOUIS THEOPHILE PONCELET, 18, a seaman, pleaded GUILTY of stealing on the 18th of October, at Falmouth, one purse, one sovereign, thirteen shillings, and a security for money called a "seaman’s advance note," the property of George RADFORD. . .............................. . WILLIAM VINCENT, 20, THOMAS MILL, 20, and WILLIAM MILL, 10, all miners, were charged with breaking into the account-house of Dolcoath mine in the parish of Camborne, on the 2nd of November, and stealing six silver table spoons, eight silver tea-spoons, some bread, butter, flour, sugar, and beef, two towels, one corkscrew, two decanters, and about a pint each of brandy, rum, and gin, the property of Charles Thomas and others, adventurers in the said mine. Mr. GENN conducted the prosecution; the prisoners were undefended. . Ann RICHARDS: I live at Camborne, and am account-house woman at Dolcoath mine. On Saturday the 1st of November, I was at the account-house and had some plate there in the pantry; I kept it in a drawer; I had one dozen silver tea-spoons, nineteen silver tea-spoons, and also some German-silver spoons, and 9s in money. I left the account house shortly before seven o'clock in the evening of the 1st of November, after I had locked the doors and seen my plate all safe. I returned to the account-house about seven o'clock on the Monday morning following. The front-door was closed; I went into the house and into the pantry, and found that there had been taken away six silver tea-spoons and eight silver tea-spoons and three of the German-silver spoons; seventeen altogether. There had also been taken away some bread, cold beef, butter, flour, and two bags, two towels, two corkscrews, and five decanters, with spirits. All those things I had left there safe on the Saturday night, twelve ! locks had been broken open; six in the writing desks and the others in the doors and cupboards; the windows were also broken. . James OXNAM, miner. In November last I worked at Dolcoath mine. On the 3rd of November I entered the mine a few minutes before two o'clock in the morning, and had to pass the account-house. As I passed, I saw a light in the kitchen. I was about thirty yards from the kitchen, outside the wall which goes round the account-house. I saw it was the light of a candle moving about, and I could see the hand holding it. I then went into the sump-house, and I and some other men returned to the account-house. I then called Capt. Pearce, and he went into the yard, and I remained outside the account-house window. . Capt. Richard PEARCE, agent at Dolcoath: Early in the morning of the 3rd of November, in consequence of some information, I went to the account-house; it was about two o'clock. I found at the back of the house that a pane of glass had been broken, and an entrance made through the window that opened in the pay-room, from which room there was easy access to any other part of the house. I entered through the back door, which I also found open, from the inside. I went into the office, and found six locks had been broken open, and also that one lock had been broken in the pantry. In the dining room up-stairs a lock had been broken; two locks had been broken in the pay-room, and one in the spirit-room or wine-cellar. I know the prisoners perfectly well; they have all worked at Dolcoath within the last two or three years; VINCENT lives about three or four hundred yards from the account-house. . Capt. Charles THOMAS, manager of Dolcouth Mine - I was at the account-house on the 3rd of November, about eight o'clock in the morning. I left there on the previous Saturday evening, about six o'clock. I examined the house on the Monday morning, and found that several locks had been broken open. I had locked up the wine and spirits on the Saturday evening, and kept the key. On the Monday morning I found that the cupboard had been broken open, and at least three pints each of brandy, rum, and gin had been taken away. I also locked up the cupboard in the dining-room on the Saturday evening, and on Monday morning found it had been broken open, and that five decanters had been taken away. A corkscrew had been taken away from the wine-cellar, which had also been locked on the Saturday. All those articles I saw on the Saturday when I locked the cupboards. . Joseph WARD - I am a constable at Camborne. On the 3rd of November, I went to Dolcoath mine, between four and five o'clock in the morning, and made an examination of the premises. I found papers all about the house in different parts, and that an entrance had been effected through the pay-room window, by breaking a pane of glass over the fastening; I also found that several locks had been broken open. On the inside part of the wall outside the account-house I found some planks had been put up slanting, so as to effect escape over the wall. Outside the gutter where the ends of these planks rested, I found the footmark of a boy; and on the 6th of November, I apprehended William MILL and found that his shoe corresponded exactly with that footmark. . On the morning of the 7th, William Mill's mother brought me some clothes which he had worn the previous Sunday; I searched the pockets and found some tea and sugar (about a spoonful). When we were going before the magistrates, I said to NOBLE, in the presence of the prisoner William Mill, that I had found coffee, tea, and sugar in the pockets of his coat and trowsers, and William Mill said "I did not put it there; my brother Tom and William Vincent put it there, in the account-house." After we had been before the magistrates, he said to me that there were some decanters and brandy hid away at the back of IVEY's garden at Crane; I went there and found two empty decanters and a bottle of brandy, partly full; which I now produce. . On Saturday the 8th of November, I went with William Mill to a field near Crane, and he showed me where Vincent had thrown something away, and I searched and found a corkscrew and razor, which I now produce. I then took him to a place not far from there, where he said they had eaten the beef and taken some of the spirits; and I there found some broken glass and two invoices of goods supplied to Dolcoath mine. . On the 9th in consequence of something that William Mill had said to me, I went to Captain RUTTER's field, adjoining of Dolcoath mine, and found the remains of five broken bottles, and a towel; I produce the towel. I also produce a second cork-screw and two decanters which I found after the committal - the cork-screw at the back of North Roskear account-house, and the decanters near Crane. . George NOBLE, a constable of Camborne, on the 3rd of November accompanied Ward to Dolcoath account-house, and [join]ed in the examination he made there. The witness corroborated Ward's evidence as to the state of the premises as then examined; and also as to many subsequent circumstances. He also stated that on the 8th of November, he observed that violence had been used at the account-hous;; William Mill told him that it was done with a poker at the account-house - that Thomas Mill and Vincent had broken open the locks with the poker of the account-house. Witness found that the sharp, squared top of that poker (which he now produced) corresponded exactly with marks where the cupboards and doors had been forced open. . Henry IVEY - I live at Crane; Thomas and William MIll live next door to me; I know them very well. Vincent I never saw before Monday morning the 3rd of November. On that morning, I saw the three prisoners together about quarter-past seven, at Crane. The next morning at eleven o'clock, I saw Thomas Mill out in the meadow where the bottle and two decanters were afterwards found; there is no road or pathway through the field; I have known the field for seventy years. . The various articles produced in the course of the trial were identified by the witnesses Ann Richards, Captain Charles Thomas, and the policeman Ward. The prisoners' statements before the committing magistrates were then put in and read. . William Mill stated - what I told Joseph Ward and George Noble was true; I was at Dolcoath account-house on the Sunday night in company with my brother Thomas Mill and William Vincent; William Vincent took some spoons out of the drawer and asked my brother if they were silver; my brother said he did not know; Vincent said they were silver, and asked my brother if it was best to carry them away; my brother said "the Dolcoath mark is on them;" Vincent said "we can get out that;" I did not see them take any of the spoons, but they took away some gin. . Thomas Mill stated: what George Noble has said is correct, and what my brother William has said is correct. . William Vincent stated: what William Mill has just said is true; we went to Dolcoath account-house on Sunday evening; the spoons were not taken out of the account-house to my knowledge; we took away some gin. . The Jury found a verdict of GUILTY against all three prisoners, but recommended William Mill to mercy, on account of his youth. ......................... . John HUTCHINS, 30, labourer, was charged with stealing a hammer, the property of John Martin JOHN, farmer, of St. Enoder. Mr. G. B. COLLINS for the prosecution, the prisoner undefended. . John Martin JOHNS stated that the prisoner was in his employ from the 30th of June to the 23rd of September. On the 18th of August, witness missed a hammer, which he had made almost specially for his own use; and did not see it again till this day fortnight in the hands of Coomb the policeman. . Joseph King MARTIN, nephew of prosecutor, stated that on the 18th of August, he used the hammer referred to, and put it on the wall in the house where it was usually kept; and the next morning he looked for it and could not find it. Henry COOMB, police constable, about the 22nd of December last, had occasion to search the prisoner's house, and found there the hammer which he now produced. John ROUNSEVELL, a smith, identified the hammer produced as the one which he had himself made for Mr. Johns. The hammer was also positively identified by the prosecutor; and his nephew said he believed it to be the same hammer that he had used on the 19th of August. . The CHAIRMAN summed up in favour of the prisoner, in regard to the length of time - fully four months - that had elapsed from the time the hammer was lost to its discovery in the prisoner's house; and the jury found a verdict of ACQUITTAL. ......................... . JOHN HUTCHINS, the same prisoner, was then indicted for stealing on the 7th of December, at the parish of St. Dennis, a sow pig, the property of William JULYAN. Mr. G.B. COLLINS conducted the prosecution. . The prosecutor stated that he was a carpenter living on the Goss Moor, in the parish of St. Columb Major. On Sunday the 7th of December he had a little sow pig, about six months old, from seventy to four score weight, and in fair store condition. On Saturday morning, the 7th of December, he meated the pig, and then, as he was accustomed to do, turned her out on the moor, posting the door open for her return as the weather was severe. In the evening the pig did not return as usual; and he was unable the following day to obtain any tidings of her. . John ARTHUR, a quarry-man living at St. Dennis, about two miles from last witness, stated that about twelve o'clock on the 7th of December he saw a strange pig near his house - a little sow pig, of a dirty white background with black spot, and about twenty pounds a quarter. She was "in kind" and was near his own and other pigs. The prisoner lived about 300 yards from witness's; he had lived there about six or eight weeks before December, but had not kept any pig. . Joseph JOLLY, a china clay labourer, stated that in December last he worked at the same work as the prisoner. On Thursday the 11th of December, the prisoner was away from his work; and the next day, told witness he had been down to Mr. CHELLEW's at Carnon, who owned him thirty shillings for wages; and had taken the side of a little pig in part payment. After that, the prisoner brought meat pasties to his work, which he had not done before. . William CHELLEW lived at Carnon in Ladock, and knew the prisoner who worked for witness for three or four months, and left his employ after barley tilling last spring. Witness did not owe him any wages, having paid him the day before he left; and had not seen him from that time till the other day before the magistrates at St Columb. Prisoner had never applied to witness for payment of any arrear of wages, and had never received from witness any side of a pig or any other pork whatever. . Henry COOMB, on Thursday, the 18th of December, searched the prisoner's house, and found in a corner of an upstairs room, in a small tub, the pork now produced, consisting of two legs, a shoulder, and both parts of a cheek. It had been but recently put in pickle, and was not properly cured. He apprehended prisoner on a charge of stealing a pig, and on the road, the prisoner said he supposed he should see Bodmin; and he also said "Kill a pig! I would rather steal a sheep than kill a pig; but I suppose they will give me a month for it." . This witness pointed out to the jury various proofs of identity of the pork produced with the live pig that had been lost; and on the same points the prosecutor and John Arthur were recalled and examined. - The CHAIRMAN in summing up, spoke of the proof of identity as one of considerable difficulty under the circumstances; but the jury were satisfied on the point, and returned a verdict of GUILTY. ................................. . William ADDISON, 22, pleaded GUILTY to the charge of unlawfully assaulting Mary TRELOAR, with intent to ravish and carnally know her, at Wendron, on the 21st of November. ................................. . Matthew Henry TRURAN, 17, miner, pleaded GUILTY of stealing, on the 12th of October, a gander, seven tame fowls, and four geese, the property of John MADDERN at Redruth. ................................. . John CAMERRN, 28, a tailor, (late a soldier), and Ellen WILLIAMS, 24, were indicted for stealing from the dwelling-house of Christopher HARVEY, a labourer, at Madron, on the 23rd of October, two coats, two pair of trousers, three waistcoats, four silk handkerchiefs, one satin neckerchief, one shirt, one razor, and one umbrella, value GBP 7, the property of the said Christopher HARVEY. There was a second count for felonious receiving. Mr. CORNISH conducted the prosecution; the prisoners were undefended. . The case was one of elaborate circumstantial proof; the witnesses being Christopher HARVEY, the prosecutor, a labourer living at Rosehill, in Madron; Fanny REES, a lodging-house keeper at Penzance; Henry JOSEPH, pawn-broker at Penzance; John OULDS, superintendent of police at Penzance; Mary Ann BRANCH, lodging-house-keeper at Camborne; Jane PENROSE, a married daughter of last witness; Thomas KNUCKEY, pawnbroker at Camborne; Joseph WARD, superintendent of police at Camborne; George NOBLE, constable at Camborne. . The jury found the prisoner Cameren GUILTY of stealing; and Williams GUILTY of feloniously receiving. . The prisoners had also been arraigned on an indictment for stealing from the dwelling-house of George MARTINS, at Ludgvan, on the 21st of October, a coat, a pair of trousers, a waistcoat, a shirt, a pair of braces, two handkerchiefs, a pair of boots, and a brooch, the property of the said George MARTINS. But on this indictment no evidence was offered. The Court then rose. (We shall give the remainder of the trials, and sentences of the prisoners next week.) Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell

I wonder if there is anyone who lives near or in Egloshayle? If so, I wonder if they would be prepared to go to the Church and take a photograph for me of the 'tomb tops' that are on the outside wall of William Hamley and his wife Dorcas. They died in 1814 and 1829 respectively. They were my 4 x great grandparents. I would of course be prepared to pay any costs involved. Many thanks. Brenda Emmerson Camberley, Surrey

WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER , 9 JANUARY 1857 CORNWALL EPIPHANY SESSIONS . Printed and Published, for the Proprietors, by ELIZABETH HEARD AND SONS, Printers and Publishers, at No. 32 Boscawen Street, in the parish of St. Mary, in the borough of Truro, in the county of Cornwall on Thursday evening, the Eighth of January, 1857. . QUARTER SESSIONS . These sessions were opened in the County Hall, Bodmin, on Tuesday last, when in consequence of the election of chief constable of the county police taking place on that day, there was a very full attendance of the magistrates of the county. . GOVERNOR'S REPORT - The Governor of the county prison had great pleasure in reporting the general orderly conduct of the prisoners during the last quarter, as well as their state of health, which had lately so much improved that the hospital was now unoccupied. The following were the gaol expenses for the past quarter:- . Subsistence...................................................GBP...275.13.02 Clothing.............................................................87.09.04 Bedding...............................................................5.12.10 Fuel.................................................................52.12.02 Sundries.............................................................54.06.06 Salaries............................................................312.17.00 Pensioned Warder......................................................6.00.00 Paid prisoners at discharge...........................................6.01.00 Expenses at Michaelmas Sessions......................................14.05.06 Coffin and funeral expenses of A. Grigg...............................1.18.00 Female singers........................................................1.00.00 Whipping..............................................................0.05.00 Messrs. Commins and Son, for endeavouring to ascertain the settlement of Catherine STEPHENS........................2.07.02 Credit by cash for subsistence of two military prisoners..............0.16.06 Repairs..............................................................06.13.10 ...............Total............................................GBP 826.05.00 . The CHAIRMAN also read a comparative statement of prisoners, from which it appeared that the number for trial at the Epiphany Sessions, 1856, was 23; at these sessions, 37. . ELECTION OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE . [The CHAIRMAN explained the procedure he would follow, striking off the candidate with the lowest vote total after each round of voting until only two remained to vote for.] . Mr. CAREW suggested that the proceedings would be shortened by adopting the course pursued in Devon, which was that all candidates recommended by the committee were considered as proposed and seconded. This was agreed to. . Lord VIVIAN believed they were under a misapprehension at the last sessions in considering the memorandum from the Home Office, in reference to the chief constable, to be merely a suggestion; he believed it was an instruction, and binding upon the magistrates. He believed if they elected a gentleman over the age of forty-five, they would find their act nullified by the order of the Home Secretary. ...He thought it right to mention this because he was given to understand that one of the candidates was over the age mentioned. . Rev. E. J. TREFFRY asked if any one of the candidates had a majority at the first poll, whether that would decide the election. The CHAIRMAN said it would. . Mr. E. COODE, Jr., did not speak exactly as chairman of the committee, but at the wish of all the members of the committee to whom he had spoken; and he must say, with all respect to the decision of the late adjourned sessions, that they disclaimed all responsibility with regard to the scheme adopted at that sessions. He did not wish to speak disrespectfully of the late adjourned sessions, for they had a right to do as they did - at the same time, the number of magistrates present was actually smaller than the number of the committee. [and so on, for several sentences.] . He had no wish to detain the court any longer, but he should like to know if the Chairman thought it was possible to postpone the appointment of an officer who appeared to him and other members of the committee as totally unnecessary - the chief superintendent at a salary of GBP 150 a year. As far as he could ascertain the sentiments of the committee, they thought that officer would be a sort of deputy chief constable, an officer they did not want. The difference between GBP 90 and GBP 150 was great, and they wished to save the county that expense. He feared if this matter were left until after the chief constable was elected, it would be too late, as the chief constable might think he was at liberty to fill up that office. He (Mr. Coode) wished to know if it was possible to postpone that appointment. . [Conversations regarding the question were then recorded, including comments by the Rev. U. Tonkin and the Chairman. They agreed the position did not have to be filled, but left it to the discretion of the chief constable, once he was chosen.] . Mr. D.P. LeGRICE thought before they proceeded to the election, the court should suggest where the chief constable ought to reside. It was now perfectly open; he might reside on the banks of the Tamar if he pleased. He would suggest that the chief constable should not reside east of Bodmin or west of Truro. Mr. LeGrice added that he should certainly have attended at the last adjourned sessions if he had thought there was the least chance of the magistrates making any alteration in the organization of the police force as proposed by the committee. . Mr. WILLYAMS, referring the remarks of Mr. E. COODE, jun., said everything the committee had suggested had been thrown overboard by a small meeting of magistrates at the last adjourned sessions. He was sorry the committee had not met for the express purpose of repudiating the whole of the scheme passed at that sessions. [He pointed out the county agreed to the report produced by the committee, and only seventeen magistrates had changed everything the committee had done. He observed that not more than one or two of them had ever before attended at any one of the meetings.] . Mr. CAREW said it was not the fault of those at the last adjourned sessions that there were so few present. They waited several hours at great inconvenience for other members of the committee, after which they proceeded to business and did the best they could. . The CHAIRMAN said it was his misfortune, not his fault, that he was not present. The weather was such in his part of the world that it was almost impossible for man or beast to get out. He delayed till it was too late for him to come; but he had not the slightest idea that the report would be upset. . [Mr. RODD pointed out no mention of the first meeting had been made in the papers. Others said they had not attended because there had been no report in the papers as well, and some were absent from the county.] . The CHAIRMAN then read the names of candidates for the office of chief constable. [Colonel Seymour HAMILTON withdrew as he was more than forty-five. Mr. John DUNN also withdrew, as he was elected for Cumberland and Westmoreland.] . There then remained four candidates on the list: Colonel Gilbert, Captain Harston, Mr. Somerset Keogh, and Captain Phillips. After balloting, Colonel GILBERT having more than half the number of votes, it was his duty to declare him elected to the office of chief constable. (Applause from people in the court.) . The last of the agenda, to take measures for making a police rate for the county, was adjourned for consideration till the next day. ............................. TRIALS OF PRISONERS JOHN PERRY, 40, pleaded GUILTY of stealing a jacket, the property of William Henry SIMMONS, at Crowan, on the 23rd of September. ............................. . DOROTHY BRAY, 18, pleaded GUILTY of stealing a gold ring, the property of Nathaniel MAY, at St. Columb Major, on the 17th of November. ............................. . Henry CHESTERTON, 36, was charged with stealing a pair of trousers, value 10s.9d., from the shop of Robert CLARKE, of Truro. Mr. J. B. COLLINS conducted the prosecution. It appeared that on the 17th of October, Richard PHILP, an assistant in the shop of Mr. Clarke, mercer and tailor, Boscawen Street, Truro, missed a pair of trousers which had been hung up at the door. The prisoner, on the same evening, met a woman called POWELL in the street, and asked her if she would direct him to a pawnbroker's shop, as he wanted to pawn a pair of trousers. She took him to one shop, where they would not pledge the trousers. She afterwards left him, and on meeting police constable PRATER informed him of the circumstance. Prater (who then belonged to the Truro police) went after the man and found the trousers in his possession, which were identified as Mr. Clarke's property by means of a private mark. Verdict, GUILTY. . ............................. . WALTER JOHN WILLIS, 24, a miner, was charged with stealing two sovereigns, five shillings, and half-a-crown, the property of James NICHOLLS, at Linkinhorne, on the 23rd of November. . Mr. FROST, for the prosecution, called James Nicholls, who in November worked at Marke Valley Mine, and on Saturday night the 23rd of November, which was pay night, was at ALLEN's beershop, in Linkinhorne parish. The prisoner worked at the same mine. Prosecutor said he had received GBP 4.4s.6d, of which he changed one sovereign. It was his duty to watch the engine at the mine that night, and he went there for that purpose, and the prisoner accompanied him. . Prosecutor went to sleep on a bench, and prisoner also laid down. In the morning prosecutor was called by another man; if anything had gone amiss it was the engineman's duty to call him as the watcher. When he awoke, prisoner had left the place. Prosecutor found his silver had been stolen from his trousers pocket, and three sovereigns from his watch pocket. He went after the prisoner to Allen's beerhouse, where he found him, and on sending for a constable and having him searched, two sovereigns were found in his stockings. The prisoner said he had received pay himself, and it was money of his own in his stockings. He told a long story to the jury, but they did not believe him. Verdict GUILTY. . The COURT then rose. . WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 (Before J.K. Lethbridge, Esq.) ............................ . WILLIAM THOMAS, 53, labourer, pleaded guilty of stealing a quantity of potatoes, the property of Thomas COLLINS, at Truro, on the 12th of December. ............................ . JOHN GRIMES, 30, was charged with stealing a quantity of barley in the straw, the property of James LUCAS. Mr. SHILSON called the prosecutor, who stated that he is a farmer in Stratton parish; prisoner is a farm labourer, and lives near prosecutor's premises. . Prosecutor had three mows of barley in his mowhay, and having lost barley, he watched in the mowhay four nights. On Thursday night, the 20th November, prosecutor was entering his mowhay at the higher gate, and heard some one go out at the lower gate. He went and examined a mow, and found half a sheaf had been pulled out and left behind, and about two sheaves carried away. It was very dark, and he did not go in pursuit of the prisoner, of whom he had suspicion, but waited until he thought prisoner had gone to bed, when he went and searched prisoner's pig's-house, and found there about two and a half sheaves of barley. . He went for policeman MOORE, and they went and accused prisoner of the theft. The rest of the evidence showed that prisoner confessed his guilt and offered Mr. Lucas GBP 2 to forgive him. Policeman Moore gave evidence of footmarks near the premises and into prisoner's house, corresponding with prisoner's boots. John CARTHEW, a neighbour of prisoner, also gave evidence. Verdict GUILTY. ........................... . ELIZABETH FRANCIS, 53, was charged with stealing a coat and ten yards of cotton print, the property of John GEARY; in a second count she was charged with feloniously receiving the same. Mr. CORNISH, for the prosecution; Mr. SHILSON for the defence. . John GEARY, a pawnbroker at Redruth, said on the 4th of December he had a coat and a light lilac dress in his shop. On the 6th of December, he missed the coat, and went to constable HODGE, and the coat and dress were found at another pawnbroker's, called MARTIN. Edward MARTIN, pawnbroker at Redruth, stated that on the 5th of December, prisoner pawned the dress at his shop, and on the 6th she pawned the coat. Prisoner, when before the magistrates, said she picked up the things. Geary, on cross-examination, said the articles were placed on a shelf near the door, and many persons went in and out of the shop daily. . Mr. SHILSON addressed the jury, contending that the evidence was insufficient. Verdict, GUILTY of receiving, knowing to have been stolen. A former conviction at the assizes in 1847, was proved against the prisoner, for uttering a forged request for goods. ........................... . SAMUEL TERRILL, 16, was charged with stealing a donkey, the property of Thomas TREWARTHA, a miner of St. Agnes. Mr. CORNISH appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. SHILSON for the prisoner. . It appeared that on the 6th of August, prosecutor put the donkey in a field near his house, and on the next morning it was gone. He had no account of it for three or four months after, when he found the donkey in possession of Joseph KEMP, who lived about four miles off, and who stated that he bought the donkey of the prisoner on the 8th of September. Prisoner's statement was that he exchanged the donkey for another with a man who lived at Redruth, but whose name he did not know. There were other circumstances which appeared to give credit to the prisoner's account of the transaction, and the Chairman summed up in his favour. Verdict, NOT GUILTY. . ......................... . WILLIAM COOKMAN, 32, was charged with stealing a sheet and a shirt, the property of Mathew SOWDEN, at Madron, on the 24th of November. Verdict, GUILTY. A conviction at the assizes in July, 1853, for felony, was also proved against the prisoner. . ......................... . JAMES WHEELER, 23, was charged with stealing, on the 5th of November, a cheese, the property of John and William HODGE; and in a second count the prisoner was charged with stealing from the person of William ROBBINS, the servant of Messrs. Hodge, certain monies, their property. Mr. FROST appeared for the prosecution, Mr. SHILSON for the prisoner. . William Robbins stated that he is a waggoner in the employ of Messrs. HODGE, of Launceston, who are carriers from Launceston to Plymouth and other places. On Monday the 3rd November, Robbins went from Launceston to Plymouth with his master's waggon. About four miles from Launceston, he saw the prisoner, who asked to ride, and on telling who he was, the waggoner allowed him to ride to Plymouth, where he said he was going to get work. They arrived at Plymouth on Tuesday morning, and remained there till six or seven in the evening. . Robbins had taken oats to Plymouth, and he received the money in payment, between GBP 7 and GBP 8; prisoner was present when the money was paid. Robbins allowed prisoner also to return with him and on the Launceston side of Milton Abbott, he asked prisoner to drive the waggon, which prisoner did, and Robbins lay down to sleep, and slept until the waggon arrived within about a gunshot of the Launceston turnpike gate. . When Robbin awoke, he said he felt something like a hand inside his waistcoat; he had placed the money he had received at Plymouth in an inside pocket of his waistcoat. At the same time, there was a Dutch cheese just inside the head of the waggon, which Robbins took up and threw back to the hamper where the others were. . Just after Robbins awoke, the prisoner left the waggon, and Robbins did not then suspect him of stealing, but on driving on to the Launceston turnpike gate, and putting his hand inside his waistcoat for money, he found that he had been robbed, but his purse was left. On cross-examination, Robbins denied that he had had a 'spree' at Plymouth, or was tipsy when he lay down to sleep; he did not "spile" a cask of beer which was in the waggon on the way home. He lent prisoner 6d. at Plymouth and gave him something to eat. . Mr. W. HODGE, carrier in partnership with his father at Launceston, stated that the cheese in the waggon was for Mr. John PEARCE, at Launceston. There had been no beer taken from the cask in the waggon by Robbins. . Evidence was also given by the father of Robbins, who went in pursuit of the prisoner. He said prisoner stated he had no money and said his name was VEALE, not Wheeler. He was afterwards searched by policeman SAMBELLS, to whom he also denied that he had any money. Sambells found about his person GBP 5.9s.11d.; half-a-sovereign was in his tobacco box, and another half-sovereign was concealed inside the lining of his trousers; there was also a Dutch cheese in his coat pocket. . Mr. SHILSON having addressed the jury for the prisoner, the CHAIRMAN summed up the case. Verdict, GUILTY. ........................................... . COUNTY BUSINESS THE COUNTY CONSTABULARY AND POLICE RATE . Mr. E. COODE, jun., chairman of the police committee, presented a report of that committee, stating however in the first place, that the committee were aware they were travelling out of the usual course of business in asking the court, when due notice had not been given, to alter the decision come to at the last adjourned sessions in regard to the county police force. . The committee appointed yesterday being invested with full powers on the subject, and having had the assistance of the chief constable, had been induced, after consultation with him, to make some slight alterations in the scheme; for if they had given notice to move for such alterations at the next sessions, it would have been impossible in the mean time for the chief constable to arrange his matters satisfactorily; he could not do so unless he knew what scheme he had to work upon. The committee therefore requested the court to dispense with the usual notice, and to adopt the scheme as now amended; the cost of which would be somewhat less than the scheme adopted by the second adjourned sessions. . The committee recommended that the county should be divided for police purposes into six superintendents' districts, each to be under the charge of a superintendent, and that one extra superintendent should be appointed for the head quarters at GBP 100 per year; two at GBP 95; two at GBP 85; and two at GBP 75. There were ten inspectors proposed to be appointed at GBP 65 per annum each. He should explain that that number had been adopted in order that there might be either a superintendent or an inspector in each petty-sessional division. In the original scheme there were sixteen inspectors, one for each petty-sessional division; but it was the opinion of the chief constable that the work of the county could be done by ten inspectors together with the six superintendents. . There was also to be one serjeant-major at GBP 60 a year; sixteen sergeants at 21s. per week; forty-eight constables at 18s., and ninety-six constables at 16s. a week. It was proposed that the chief constable be authorized to rent for twelve months the necessary accommodation for stations in each petty-sessional division, at a cost not exceeding GBP 200 per annum. [The page is wrinkled from here, causing gaps in the words.] . The pay of the above officers, together with that of the chief constable, GBP 500 per annum, would amount to GBP 8933.12s., to which add for clothing, including boots, GBP 1056, and for annual contingencies, such as forage, repairs, remounts, printing, oil for lanterns, &c., GBP 400, with .... for stations GBP 200, making GBP 600, and the probable .... cost of the force would be GBP 10,583.12s. . For the .... outfit, expenses which would not soon have to be in ..... again, GBP 800 was put down, for cost of horses, carts, ..... saddles and bridles, handcuffs, lanterns, cutlasses and ...., lamp-belts and capes, straps, books and stationery, stable dec...., and office and other furniture. Taking the annual cost at GBP 10,583.12s., Mr. Coode said a rate of 3d. in the pound on the present value of the county rate, would give a sum of GBP 10,966.8s., which would more than cover the annual expense of the force, even without taking into account the government allowance. . For the present quarter, the committee thought it would be necessary to raise more than a quarter part of 3d. in the pound, as there were many extra expenses to be first provided for. They therefore proposed that a police rate of 1d. in the pound should be made for the present quarter, and that the county treasurer should be authorized to make payments on account of the force, on receiving a requisition to that effect from the chief constable. . The Rev. U. Tonkin moved that the report of the police committee be adopted, which was seconded by Mr. S. DAVEY, and carried unanimously. . [Mr. Coode then moved several resolutions regarding the committee, and equalizing rates. They were passed.] . . Julia M. . West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell

To everybody Merry Christmas to everyone and may 2013 find your searches easier. Thank everyone during the year as I find all your information is terrific to read. Lyn Gilmour Rankin Park Newcastle Australia

WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER 9 January 1857 . WRECK OF A SCREW STEAMER NEAR THE LAND'S END . On the night of Thursday last, the screw steamer, "Dunaskin," of Ayr, with a cargo of oranges from Lisbon, bound to Bristol, was totally wrecked near the Land's End, the captain, John McFARLAND, and mate, William M. MORELAND, being drowned. . ...Between eight and nine o'clock on Thursday night she made the Lizard Light, and the ship was then hauled up to N.W. by N. ½ W.; some time after this she sighted the Scilly Light on her port beam, the weather becoming very thick all light was lost sight of. . At ten o'clock another light being visible, supposed to have been the Seven Stones light, but which in fact was the Longships Light, the captain ordered the course of the vessel to be altered, and in a few minutes after that she struck on a sunken rock, she lost her way for a minute or two and then went ahead again, and the water poured in in a great rush into the middle, or engine compartment, so as to compel all hands to get on deck at once. . Orders were then given to clear away both boats. Eight of the men got into the long boat over the starboard or lee side very quickly, and desired the captain and mate to come into her too. The mate came in, but went back into the ship, they held on for about five minutes, the captain and mate calling to hold on still, but they were then in broken water and finding the boat going down under them, they were forced to cut the painter and drop clear, and a few minutes after the vessel went on shore under a high black cliff, with the captain, mate, and one seaman on board. . The boat was kept head to sea abreast of the wreck for about twenty minutes, but at length they were compelled to keep her away before it, and run in under the lee of the land, the wind blowing strong at W.S.W. keeping close along shore, they got into Newlyn pier between two and three o'clock in the morning of Friday last. . The rock which had proved so destructive was the outer rock of Guthen Brose, near Tol-Pedn-Penwith, and the cliffs against which she was dashed in a S.W. by S wind, and in thick and hazy weather, with showery squalls, were those stupendous ones which compose Tol-Pedn. . We stated that the captain, mate, a seaman (James FOLEY), were left on board. Of these the last only survives to narrate the fate of the steamer. When the captain ordered the boats to be got out, Foley took the cover off the long boat and cut her gripes, and whilst he was clearing away the jolly-boat, the crew got into the other and dropped clear. Foley advised the captain to let the other long boat go because she was in broken water, and would be swamped. . The vessel then fell broadside (port) on against the high granite cliffs. The three came forward and as she surged, Foley got on the bowsprit and sprung ashore - landing on a short and narrow ledge of rocks. The mate was assisted by the captain to take advantage of the next surge a port, but he was an elderly man (from 55 to 60 years of age) and heavy, and before he could make use of his frail landing place, the bowsprit snapped and the captain had much difficulty in getting him back again. . The captain, noble fellow, could easily have taken advantage of the bowsprit, and he was young and active (only thirty five years of age) but he would not desert his chief officer, as he had declined to leave his vessel in such an emergency. . The captain called to Foley to get further aft on the rock opposite to where he and the mate had removed, but the ledge on which the seaman stood was so narrow that he had the utmost difficulty in keeping his footing, and an uncertain step would have been certain death. Amidst the crash of the steamer against the cliffs, Foley could descry the masts and funnel going overboard and soon the tragedy terminated by the foundering of the steamer in deep water with the unfortunate captain and mate on board. . She lies about three fathoms only from the ledge on which Foley rested, and he then attempted to scramble up the precipitous cliffs. After three hours' arduous exertion he succeeded in topping the rock, descending the other side, and so gained the mainland. . He observed two buildings near, which he has since found to be the landmarks of the Rundlestone. He afterwards reached a cottage, where he received every kindness and assistance. This was between four and five o'clock in the morning. By this time, Mr. Pearce and Mr. Mathews had arrived but all they could do was to succor the shipwrecked seamen. . Daylight disclosed that the steamer had sunk close to the rocks in deep water, with nothing to point out the fatal spot but two pieces of the fore top mast, and the fore yard, which the relentless waves as they ebbed and flowed occasionally revealed. The captain and mate were not to be seen. . The spot where she lies is called Ely Rock - about a cable's length to the westward of Porthgwarra fishing cove - and in mild weather something may possibly be done with the wreck. The "Dunaskin" was an iron steamer, built in three compartments. . A small quantity of wreck was floating about, and the cargo was not perceptible in that neighbourhood. But on Friday night and Saturday morning the shores in the neighbourhood of Penzance were strewn with oranges - many good and perfect, thousands knocked to pieces by the waves. Some have been secured and sold by Lloyds Agent at that port, Mr. Pearce, who has also, in his capacity of Honorary Secretary to the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, relieved the rescued sailors and sent them to their respective homes. . On Sunday, the body of Captain McFarland, of Troon, was picked up. He was found entirely naked and minus both legs - the body being frightfully abrased against the rocks, and the clothes torn off by the waves and cliffs. The mate has not yet been found. We are sorry to say both leave widows and three children each, to mourn this sad event. . An inquest was held on the captain on Monday and a verdict returned. His remains were so much injured that his identification was only practicable by the letters on his left arm [a tattoo] and by the loss of the middle finger of the left hand, which had occurred some time since. . The names of the rescued are John McWALTER, engineer; Patrick McMAHON, 2nd engineer; John MURPHY, fireman; John WHITE, seaman, of Ayr; Hugh ALEXANDER, seaman, and William SPRIGHT, fireman, both of Glasgow; John MITTON, fireman, and John FARRELL, seaman, of Dublin; James FOLEY; and William BAWDEN, of Lynn.

HI, I find this thread of interest as in doing my family research I believe my 2x grt. grandfather was buried in Bulinoor Chile. There was a listin gin the paper last summer regarding who I believe to be him as dying down there. The notice was in the West Briton appearing around July of 1856. I haven't been able to find anything else regarding his death there. this is my 2x grandfather Joseph Blamey. In 1861 my grandfater Joseph Blamey. Loof forward to seeing any additional informatin shared! Jan Neuman Ishpeming, Mi

Hi, Listers, and may you have the Merriest of Christmases! Does anyone know of available lists of passengers on ships that sailed in the mid to late 1800s from England to South America and Chile in particular? I am looking for information about William Guillermo Plomer Withiel PHILLIPS, b. 1851, Falmouth, son of Robert Withiel PHILLIPS and Mary Pearson PLOMER. William was enumerated with his parents in 1871 in Birmingham, Warwickshire Co., and was a merchant in Concepcion, Chile according to a letter his dad wrote in 1880 tp my ancestor’s family in Wisconsin. So my window for his travel is 1871-1880, probably 1872-1878. I am in touch with living descendants of William, but they know very little about their ancestor. Hopefully, my work on the PHILLIPS – HOSKING – THOMAS families can be completed prior to the FIRST INTERNATIONAL PHILLIPS CORNISH CLAN GATHERING to be held in Falmouth next April. Descendants, please contact me via email for more information. Also, I am coming from Houston and need suggestions on how to travel to Cornwall. Should I fly to London and rent a car and drive all the way down? Or should I get a train in London and go to Cornwall and then rent a car? Where? I plan on going to Land’s End and St. Levan prior to the PHILLIPS event to do research on my LADNER line... and then to Paul, Newlyn... Then, the gathering is headquartered in Falmouth. What is the Greenbank Hotel like? Worth its pricey rate, even in low season? Or does anyone know anything about a b & b called Trefusis Barton, Flushing TR11 5TD . Farm on Trefusis Estate between Mylor and Flushing. Then do any of you have suggestions of where I might stay while in St. Levan? I will be asking for more ideas on how to conduct my travel and research after the first of the year. Blessings to all. Meli in Texas

WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER - transcribed by Julia Symons Mosman . 9 JANUARY 1857 . ADVERTISEMENTS . FOR COQUIMBO, CHILI The splendid clipper ship "C O N Q U E R O R" A 1 - 12 years - 600 tons burthen, JOHN RICHARD WILLIAMS, Commander, will sail for Coquimbo on or about Saturday, the 7th of February. Has unequaled accommodation for cabin and steerage passengers. For terms of passage and other particulars, apply to the Captain on board, or to the Owners, RICHARDSON and CO., Copper Ore Wharves, Swansea .................................................... . JOHN R. DAVIES, Australian and American Commercial and Family Boarding House, No. 15, Earl Street, St. Paul's Square (Late of 14 Galton Street) LIVERPOOL . The Celebrated Clipper Ships and Steamers sail for Australia 1st, 5th, 15th, 20th, and 25th of each month. Carrying Mails and Passengers. The Vessels comprising the above Line are all new, and rank among the fastest, finest, and largest Ships in the world; while their fittings and general arrangements are unsurpassed by any other Ships afloat. . The Celebrated Steam Ships sail from Liverpool for New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, twice a month. . The regular Line of Packet Ships for New York, on the 1st, 6th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 26th of each month. For Boston, 5th and 20th of each month. For Philadelphia, 12th of each month. For New Orleans and Quebec every ten days. . Every information given respecting the sailing of the different Lines of Australian and American Packet Ships and Steamers, and the most direct Routes to Liverpool. Rates of Passage, Scales of Provisions, &c., will be forwarded by return of Post, by enclosing a Postage Stamp. . Parties are requested to write to the above before leaving their homes, stating the way they intend to come, (by railway or steamboat) when they will be met on their arrival by J.D., thus doing away with the inconvenience of being led astray by unprincipled parties. . Good Stores for Luggage free of charge. .......................................... . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . TRURO WORKING MAN'S INSTITUTION SQUARE - A very pleasing meeting took place on Friday last, in connexion with this institution, which was formed in the course of the past year for the benefit of the working men of Truro. The soiree took place at the Assembly-room, and included in its proceedings a tea-meeting, addresses, a vocal and instrumental concert, and a ball. . The Assembly-room was very gaily and tastefully decorated for the occasion, with wreaths and festoons of evergreens, an abundance of flags (including some emblematical of the trades of Truro, carried at the peace demonstration last year), and decorations of ribbons and rosettes adorning the evergreens, the whole having an elegant and striking appearance, whilst at the head of the room, over the platform, the words "Truro Working Man's Institute" were displayed. Great credit is due to the officers and committee of the society for the good taste they exhibited in these decorative arrangements, which when a very numerous company were seated at the tea-tables, and subsequently during the concert and ball, had quite a picturesque effect. The materials for the evergreen decorations were supplied from Mr. TWEEDY's grounds at Alverton. The tea commenced at five o'clock, the tables being quite full, and some obliged to wait for a second course; altogether, the number that took tea was about three hundred. Tea being concluded, a vocal concert took place, the president of the institute, Mr. STOKES, in the first place stating that one of the expected singers was unable to attend, and consequently some alteration had to be made in the programme. [The vocal part of the concert was under the direction of Mr. HEMPEL; it would be invidious to mention any particular singer, but two or three of the glees and choruses and one or two solos received the applause of the company.] . [Mr. EMIDY's quadrille band next mounted the platform, its number augmented by two other performers. . We should state that between the vocal and instrumental performances, the President, Mr. STOKES, addressed the numerous assemblage from the platform. He said the main object of this institution was not so much to entertain, as to instruct.] Still, they could not always be pouring over books; they must sometimes have a little entertainment. . ....After speaking of the beneficial influences of music, and to some extent of works of imagination, the President noticed the present condition of the institution. It numbered nearly 200 members, and they had on their shelves 350 volumes; 90 volumes had been added in the last month; and during November, 376 volumes were taken out for reading. When they remembered that in April last this institution did not exist, he thought they might congratulate themselves on their present position. Their success he attributed partly to the institute having nothing to do with politics. . The room was afterwards cleared for the ball, and shortly after ten o'clock, dancing commenced with much spirit. There was a crowded attendance, and quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, &c. were continued till after four the next morning, providing enjoyment and healthful exercise and recreation for a youthful and delighted company. Refreshments were provided in the card-room; and everything connected with the soiree passed off in the most agreeable manner. . PENRYN INSTITUTION - Miss Louisa Foote HAY gave a concert at the institution room on the 5th instant, when one of the largest audiences ever congregated in Penryn bore testimony to the well deserved popularity of that lady and of her clever sisters Alice and Florence. Mr. LODER late of Bath, accompanied on the piano-forte, and in some instances rendered valuable vocal assistance. The music which was chiefly composed of solos selected with excellent taste from many of our old ballads, received the hearty plaudits of the company, whilst many of the songs were encored. Miss Alice HAY also performed her portion of the entertainment with great credit. Mr. Hay's sketches of character elicited warm applause, and caused roars of laughter. . FALMOUTH - On Monday evening, the members of the Redruth Choral Society gave a concert of vocal and instrumental music in the Polytechnic Hall. The attendance was small, which may be partially attributed to the insufficient manner in which they made their intention known. . POOL LITERARY INSTITUTE - On Friday last, about one hundred and twenty persons sat down to an excellent tea, kindly provided by several ladies interested in the welfare of the above institution. The profits amounted to GBP 4. Immediately after the tea, Captain TONKIN, the vice-president of the society, took the chair, and after an opening speech called on Mr. John SERPELL, the secretary, to read the report. [Addresses were delivered by Messrs. TREGENZA, MINERS, and JAMES; valuable papers were read by Captain PROVIS, on Education, and by Master PEARSE, a youth of sixteen, on the simplest method of testing metals and minerals.] . TRESPASSING AND ASSAULT OF A GAMEKEEPER - On the 30th ult., at Lostwithiel, before Mr. SAWLE, M.P., Mr. KENDALL, M.P., Mr. R. FOSTER, and Mr. Nevil NORWAY, magistrates, THOMAS PHILLIPS and WILLIAM BAWDEN were charged with trespassing in search of game on the lands of Mr. RASHLEIGH, of Menabilly; and Phillips was also charged with assaulting Mr. Rashleigh's gamekeeper. . James BUDGE, the gamekeeper, stated that on the 26th of December, when on his rounds on a part called the Gribbon, he heard guns fired, about one o'clock in the afternoon; and going in the direction of the sound he saw two men on the Gribbon, where there are plenty of hares and pheasants, and another man some distance off. Witness and a man called Hick went under the cliff until coming to the plantation, and when they got to the opposite side they saw a man with a gun and a dog. . The gamekeeper said, I afterwards crossed the ground and caught the man. Whilst he was going towards the cliff I shot at his dog which was following him, and wounded it. Phillips then turned round and said he'd be d-----d if he wouldn't shoot me, and presented the gun at me. I then turned round, and the other prisoner, Bawden, was coming towards me; he had also a gun; I ran after him about forty yards, and caught him and held him for several minutes. I tried to take away his gun, but he held his hand away and would not let me. . I asked his name, and he said he was called RUNDLE, of Tywardreath, which I knew was false. Whilst I was holding him he called for assistance, and Phillips came back and held the gun up to my head, and said, "I'll shoot you for shooting my dog." He still held the gun close to my head, and said, "if you don't let that other man go, I'll shoot you." He afterwards turned ends with the gun, and the butt end came close to my head. He said he would beat my brains out. . Henry HICKS, the person who was out with me, gave me his stick, with which I knocked Phillips down; Bawden then ran off. When they were both about half way down the cliff I again fired at the dog and killed it; Phillips came back and picked it up. There was another person in a boat under the cliff, but I don't know who it was; both prisoners asked him to come up, but he refused. . Henry HICKS gave corroborative evidence, and said from every appearance Phillips was the man, but he could not undertake to swear to him; he could swear to Bawden. Both prisoners denied that they had ever seen the gamekeeper before. The magistrates retired to consider the case, and on their return fined Phillips and Bawden GBP 5 each and costs for poaching, or in default to be imprisoned for three months each with hard labour. They also fined Phillips GBP 5 for the assault, and in default to be further imprisoned for two months with hard labour. . FALMOUTH UNION - On Christmas-Day the inmates of the Falmouth Union were regaled with a plentiful supply of beef and plum pudding, and on New Year's day with tea and cake. They all appeared to enjoy the treat and expressed a desire that their best and most grateful acknowledgments be presented to the Rev. Mr. SCRIVENER and other friends who aided in contributing so bountifully towards their enjoyment, and also to the master and matron who showed themselves desirous to do everything that would add to their comfort. . TRURO POLICE - On the 8th instant, before the Mayor, Mr. PADDON, and Mr. CHAPPEL, Sarah MARTIN was charged with being drunk and disorderly and making use of obscene language in Calenick-street, on Wednesday last, she was found guilty and committed to the house of correction for fourteen days. . CAUTION TO MARINE STORE DEALERS - On Monday last, before Mr. E. MICHELL, Mayor of Truro, Capt. KEMPE, and Messrs. STOKES, NANKIVELL, CHAPPEL, and PADDON, magistrates. SIMON RICHARDS, marine store dealer, Truro, was summoned for neglecting to make proper entries of certain articles he had purchased, used in the printing business. . It appeared from the evidence that James SHOLL, a boy of thirteen years of age, apprentice to Mrs. HEARD and Sons, Truro, on Friday last, went to Mr. Heard and told him that he had something on his mind, and his mind was not easy, because he had several times taken things from the printing office and sold at Richards's marine store shop. On hearing this confession Mr. Heard communicated with Mr. NASH, police superintendent, who went to several marine store shops in town, and amongst them to Richards's where he found a quantity of brass and copper. The brass consisted of rules of different lengths, column and imprint rules, and a brass composing stick. The weight of the brass found was 5 ¾ lbs., and Mrs. Richards had purchased it of this little boy for 6d. a lb., whereas it was stated by Mr. Heard that the articles had cost at rates varying from 2s.6d. to 8s per lb. . Simon Richards goes out to daily work, and the business is carried on in his absence by his wife, who acknowledged that she had purchased of the boy four times. On examining the book of entries of purchases (required to be kept by Act of Parliament) it was found that she had made only two entries of 1 ½ lb. each time. The first sale by the boy was in the beginning of December, when he gave the name of William Williams, St. Clement-street. The boy confessed that he sold the articles produced in court, and some of them were identified by Mr. Jas. WILLIAMS, from the printing office. Considering the temptations held out by marine store dealers carrying on business in this way, and the neglect to make proper entries, the magistrates inflicted the low fine of GBP 5 on Richards, besides 11s. expenses. . FAT PIG - Mr. Henry THOMAS of Treswithan, in the parish of Veryan, killed a pig on Monday last which weighed 703 lbs. . HELSTON – It appears that a report has been circulated for some time past, that this borough has been of late in an unhealthy state. In contradiction of this Mr. WEARNE writes us to state that the mortality of that borough has not at all exceeded its ordinary rate, and especially with respect to fever; that within the sub-district of Helston, comprising a population of 5,000, only one fatal case of fever has occurred during the last six months. . EARLY LAMBING - A ewe belonging to Mr. HODGE, of Veryan, had two lambs on Friday last. . APPOINTMENT - Mr. C.J. KINSMAN, son of Lieutenant KINSMAN, R.N., has obtained a commission in the Marines, and been selected for the Artillery company, within six months of his admission, instead of the usual two years. In his first examination, we understand he answered every paper, and obtained the maximum number of marks within half the time allowed each day. Mr. Kinsman was prepared by Dr. DRAKE, of St. Austell. . TESTIMONIAL - The friends of the temperance cause, residing in Truro, have recently presented to Mr. James UREN, of that town, a handsomely bound quarto volume of the Holy Scriptures, as a testimony of their appreciating of his untiring zeal for nearly twenty years, to promote the principles of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as beverages. . PENZANCE QUARTER SESSIONS - The Winter Quarter Sessions for this borough were held on Friday last, before Mr. BEVAN, recorder. The following magistrates were also on the bench; The Mayor (Mr. T. COULSON), Mr. W. BORLASE, and Mr. J. BATTEN. There was no prisoner for trial, a circumstance which has occurred thrice since January, 1856. The gaol, too, has been empty for a considerable time during the past three months. The Mayor, as is customary on such occasions, presented the Recorder with a pair of white kid gloves. . St. WENN - An accident of a very serious nature occurred at Treganetha, in this parish, to Henry BRENTON, the blacksmith residing in the village. It appears that the poor fellow was engaged in his workshop on the evening of the 30th ult., putting some hoops on a cask, a person named Thomas BEST assisting him. Some horses were standing in the shop waiting to be shod near where Brenton was at work about the cask, and when in a stooping position he received a violent kick on the head from one of them. The kick was so sudden and unexpected, that it was not until the poor man was laid prostate and insensible, that his companion Best was aware of the accident. . Mr. Moorman, surgeon, of St. Columb, was soon on the spot, when it was found that Brenton had received a frightful fracture of the skull and scarcely any hope was entertained of his surviving the accident. But under the skilful treatment of Mr. Moorman, we are glad to find he is progressing favourably. . ACCIDENT – On Tuesday last, as Captain COOPE, son of the Rev. W.J. COOPE, of Falmouth, was driving along Dunstanville Terrace, with a friend in a dog-cart, the horse shied and pitched them out, when Capt. Coope had his leg broken in two places. He was immediately taken home and was attended by Mr. Bullmore, and we hear is progressing well. . DEATH FROM BURNING - On Saturday the 27th ult., Catherine WILLCOCKS, daughter of Mr. James WILLCOCKS, of Callington, aged six and a half years, caught her clothes on fire and ran into the street, Mr. MATTHEWS, office of excise who was passing at the time, immediately took off a loose overcoat which he was wearing and wrapped tightly around the child and extinguished the flames, but the injury sustained was so great that death terminated her sufferings on Monday the 5th instant. A coroner's inquest was held on the same day and a verdict in accordance with the circumstance returned. . CORONER’S INQUESTS - On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Railway Inn, Truro, before Mr. John CARLYON, county coroner, on the body of John PHILLIPS, labourer, aged sixty-seven years, who was found dead in a hayloft near the viaduct at Carvedras, on Tuesday morning, by the ostler of the Globe Inn, who went there to throw down some fodder for his master's cattle. The deceased had formerly been in good service, but of late he had sunk into idle drunken habits, and had no place that he could call his home. He was consequently in the habit of sleeping in outhouses. He had evidently gone into the loft in question on Monday night for that purpose, and it being a very cold night, and the doors of the loft being wide open, it was clear that he had died from want and exposure to the weather. Verdict accordingly. . An inquest was held by Mr. Gilbert HAMLEY, county coroner, on Friday last, at Bodmin, on the body of Jane CLEMES, who was found dead in her bed on the preceding morning. Deceased had been unwell for some time, but showed no appearance of increased illness up to the usual bed time of her family on the previous evening. Verdict, "died from natural causes." . Letter to the Editor . Sir - Convinced that it is not your desire that the West Briton should be the means of giving to the public false information, or conveying wrong impressions, I take the liberty of setting you and them right on the matter of one of your paragraphs, contained in your last Friday's number, and headed "Clerical Oppression." . I begin my explanation by saying that there is scarcely a single word of truth in the whole paragraph. Philip HAWKE was not summoned for "absenting himself from the parish church" nor "for neglecting to appear at the complainant's dinner table in the kitchen." Strange times ours would be indeed if the law made a man amenable for such trifles! . He was summoned as the complainant's hind for absenting himself from his work on three several occasions, (former delinquencies of a similar kind having been overlooked and forgiven) and on those occasions neglecting the duties which attached to his situation as hind. . The bench did not "hear both parties" - the defendant was never called on for his defense and never uttered a word in the court for the case was dismissed before his defence was needed - and for this reason - not, as your paragraph has it, "because the bench were of opinion that the proceeding was one which ought never to have been brought before them" but on a legal point. Hawke was the complainant's groom as well as hind, and not being solely a servant employed in husbandry the case did not come within the cognisance of the bench. . The circumstances of the defendant "being the son of a respectable farmer," as to his being "applied to by Mr. Barton," as to the "amount of his wages," and the "motive he had for entering Mr. Barton's service" "his giving notice to leave it", or his "master's chagrin," not one syllable of this was "communicated to the bench". The whole details are evidently communicated to you by a prejudiced correspondent. Perhaps I should be justified in saying, by one who has no respect for truth. In confirmation of what I have written I place my name in your hands to be used according to discretion. So far as the public are concerned, it will be sufficient to subscribe myself, . Sir, your obedient servant, . One of the Magistrates on the Bench at St. Columb January 3rd, 1857

There has been a thread on the Devon list regarding a Will Beneficiaries Database. This issue was already on my to-do list so I was wondering... Does anyone know of an on-line searchable database of will beneficiaries for Cornish wills? Regards, Irene

Fantastic, Julia! Many thanks for this. Let the mince pies wait. . . Warmest seasonal greetings to you and the list! Joy in the Garden of England

Hi All = I've taken this from a Family Search blog, by Nathan W. Murphy December 14, 2012. "The Genealogist's Internet", which focuses on English family history, was written by Peter Christian, and is a best-selling reference book, in its 5th edition. The author has put ALL of the links included in his book on his website, for free! (He's a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists (FSC)) You can go to http://www.spub.co.uk/tgi5/index.php. Click on "Links", and another page will open. The categories of Links are shown in the left-hand column. The links enclosed in brackets [ ] are active, and will take you to various sites, including several "how-to" sites/articles. Some of the lists are quite extensive. This is a site that needs more than one visit. Thusfar, have found "Civil Registration", "Property, Taxation, and the Law", and "The Armed Forces" to be of great interest & value. Hope this helps someone, and that each and every one of you has the merriest of christmases, and joy which will carry you into the New Year. Julia

WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER - transcribed by Julia Symons Mosman 2 JANUARY 1857 - CORONERS' INQUESTS . The following inquests have been held by Mr. CARLYON county coroner: . On Friday, the 26th ult., at St. Mawes, on the body of Alexander LANGLAND, aged 30 years. The deceased was a gunner and driver in the Royal Artillery stationed at St. Mawes castle and from the evidence of John WOODWARD, a bombardier of the same service, who had charge of the men at the castle, it appeared that the deceased and another man called Richard CAIRNES were not present at the tattoo at half-past eight on Wednesday evening; but about half-past eleven he was sitting in his quarters and heard a noise outside; and on going out he saw gunner Cairnes on the drawbridge, looking over it. Witness asked what he was doing there; he replied that he came over the wall and he thought the deceased had fallen into the ditch. Witness looked into the ditch and saw something lying on the ground; deceased's jacket was open and he saw the breast of his shirt. Witness immediately unlocked the door leading to the ditch, and raised the deceased to a sitting posture, and left him with Cairn! es until he got further assistance; he was cold and speechless. . As soon as assistance arrived he was carried into the castle and laid on the first bed. Mr. HARDING, surgeon, was sent for from St. Mawes, and attended him; but he died from the injuries he had received between three and four o’clock on the following morning. . Richard CAIRNES, gunner R.A., deposed that he and the deceased left the castle on Wednesday evening between six and seven o'clock and remained at St. Mawes till eleven; they then returned to the castle; deceased was the worse for liquor but was able to walk without assistance, and they had both drank alike. . On arriving at the castle, witness got over the wall near the castle ditch, and deceased attempted to follow him; he saw him on the top of the wall and saw him fall from thence into the ditch, a depth of about twenty-seven feet. It appeared that the deceased before he died recovered sufficiently to be able to tell those who were near him that he had fallen in the way described, and he hoped it would be a warning to others. Verdict, accidental death. . The jury at the same time expressed a hope that some steps would be taken to confine the men to the castle after hours, so as to prevent the recurrence of such an accident. .............. . At Chacewater, on the 29th ult., on the body of William WHITFORD, an illegitimate child, aged about three months, who was carried by the grandmother to the sexton at Chacewater, to be buried on Saturday last. From the account she gave of the circumstances attending the death of the child, suspicions arose that everything was not right, and an inquiry before the coroner was deemed necessary. It was satisfactorily proved, however, at a post mortem examination, made by Mr. MOYLE, surgeon, of Chacewater, that the deceased had died from natural causes; and the jury returned a verdict to that effect. ............... . On Tuesday the 30th ult., at Redruth, on the body of James Edmund SNOW, aged six months, son of Mr. James SNOW, of the Dunstanville Arms, who, it was alleged, had died from not having been properly attended to by Mr. ROWE. . James SNOW, the father of the deceased, deposed that deceased had been a healthy child till about eight o'clock last Sunday morning, when he and his wife were awoke by his making an unusual noise as of violent gasping; he was then lying on his mother's arm, and the breast and sleeve of her night dress were wet from his perspiration. Witness thought she had covered him up too much with her clothes, and took the child from her and rested it on his own arm, and turned back the bed-clothes. Finding he was not as he had been, and that he did not take notice of things, and was breathing quick, witness jumped out of bed and sent a man to fetch Mr. Rowe, who came in about half-an-hour and saw the child. . Mr. Rowe also appeared to think that he had been covered too much with the clothes, but said he thought he would be better in a few hours; he then left and afterwards sent a bottle of medicine with directions that a tea-spoonful should be given every four hours; he also sent another bottle containing a liniment to be applied over the chest. Witness did not recollect receiving direction that it was to be applied to the spine as well. Mrs. Snow gave the child one tea-spoonful of the medicine about ten o’clock; she had previously taken the child into the kitchen, and Mr. Rowe had consented to his being taken there. . Witness remained in the kitchen about one hour and a quarter after the medicine was given, and then went out and remained about a quarter of an hour. On his return he observed a great alteration in the child's appearance, and that he was looking worse; and he then sent for Mr. HICHENS, surgeon, who attended and saw him about twenty minutes afterwards. Mr. Hichens said the child was then dying and he could do nothing for him; but that the parents might apply mustard poultices to the legs if they liked; Mr. Hichens then left, and the child died in about a quarter of an hour afterwards. Mr. Rowe did not come again to see the child. . In reply to a question by Mr. Rowe, witness said that he observed the child's eyes were much larger than usual; and in reply to the questions by the jury, witness said he had observed before last Sunday, that the child occasionally perspired very freely at night; but on those occasions, the perspiration soon passed off again. When he took the child from his wife, it was breathing very quick and with difficulty. Mrs. Snow called Mr. Rowe's attention as he was leaving the room, to the child's foaming at the mouth; he said it was phlegm coming from the stomach, and it would relieve him. . Mr. James HICHENS, surgeon, deposed that he was called to the deceased about noon on Sunday, and found him on his mother's lap, before the kitchen fire, in a dying state; the arms were extended, the thumb flexed on the palms, and the pupils of the eyes were very much contracted - all indications that the child had a convulsion. He told the mother it was too late for him to do anything, but she might apply mustard poultices to the legs if she liked. . >From the evidence given by the father of the child's symptoms when he sent for Rowe, witness should say the child had a convulsion at that time; and if so, the remedy given was a useless one. The child ought to have been immediately placed in a warm bath, ought to have had a dose of calomel, cold applications to the head, and an injection if necessary; also blisters to the spine; and if these remedies had not produced the desired result he should have tried the effect of the leech. . The child was a small child when born, and was weak perhaps for about the first three months of his life; but after that he gained strength, and witness vaccinated him. Witness saw him the eighth day after his vaccination; he was then doing well, and he perfectly recovered. Mr. Hichens was asked by the jury whether the child had died of apoplexy. (Mr. Rowe having given a certificate that that was the cause of death) and he answered that it was an almost unheard of thing for a child of that age to apoplexy, and he did not consider that this child had apoplexy at all; the pupils were contracted and there was a cerebral spinal irritation. . Sampson Taylor ROWE, assistant to Mr. BLEE, druggist, Redruth, deposed as follows: I was sent for about eight o'clock last Sunday morning to step over to Mr. Snow's, as soon as I could; I was told their child was ill; I was prevented going immediately, but I saw the child about half-past nine; he was then in bed; I found the breathing very short, the hands somewhat contracted, and a dark appearance round his eyelids - more particularly the right one; the pupil of the right eye was very much dilated; I was told he had been covered up very warm, and that he was found in the state I then saw him, when the parents awoke. . >From the dilated state of the eye and the other symptoms, I came to the conclusion that the child was suffering from apoplexy produced by want of oxygen. Not to alarm the parents, I promised to do the best I could for the child, and hoped there might be a chance for the better. I sent a liniment to be applied to the spine and to the chest, which I thought would be more speedy in its effects than blistering; also a bottle of medicine, composed of infusion of senns, very weak, and a little peppermint, and a small quantity of aromatic spirits of ammonia. . I also spoke to the father of a warm bath, and advised one for the child if he was not soon relieved. I forgot to mention that the child was foaming at the mouth when I first saw him. I did not think it necessary to order a purgative as I understood the bowels had been freely relieved in the course of the night. The child's thumb was slightly fixed on the palm, and it occurred to me that convulsions were approaching; my impression was that the child was suffering from apoplexy; there was a cold clammy moisture about the head. I was told that he had been sick, but I could not ascertain that he had been actually so. The pulse was quick but weak. I did not call to see the child again; I afterwards heard that Mr. Hichens had been called in, and that the child was dead. . At this stage of the proceedings, the jury suggested that Mr. BOASE, surgeon, should be called in, and that the evidence should be read over to him; and this having been done, Mr. Boase was asked whether, in his opinion, the remedy supplied by Mr. Rowe was a proper one under the circumstances. Mr. Boase said it was not what he should have done himself. but there did not appear to be anything in the medicine to occasion the death of the child. Assuming the case to be one of apoplexy, the treatment described was not such as ought to have been had recourse to; there ought to have been more active remedies; if witness had been called to a child of that age, he should have inquired whether there were any symptoms of teething, and should have examined the gums. Witness would not go so far as to say that the treatment betrayed such gross ignorance as to cause the child's death. . The jury, which was composed of Mr. John Charles LANYON, foreman, and fourteen other respectable inhabitants of Redruth, returned the following verdict: "That the deceased, James Edmund Snow, died of convulsions, and that his case did not receive that amount of attention which it required; we arrive at this conclusion after hearing the evidence of Mr. S.T. Rowe, druggist's assistant, and receiving the testimonies of Matthias John Boase and James S. Hichins, surgeons; and, although we do not think the evidence sufficiently strong to return a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. S.T. Rowe, we are unanimously of opinion that he betrayed great ignorance in the treatment of the case." . ............................ . The following inquests have been held by Mr. HICHENS, county coroner: On Friday last, at Redruth Union Workhouse, on the body of Elizabeth HOCKING, single woman, aged twenty-six years, who was suddenly taken by puerperal convulsions, whilst in bed in the hospital of the union workhouse. Mr. HARRIS, the medical officer, was sent for, and immediately attended on the patient; he remained all night in the hospital, and did not leave until about half-past eleven the next forenoon. Mr. ANDREW, surgeon, of Redruth, had previously seen this woman in the course of the day; and Mr. VINCENT, surgeon, of Camborne, also visited her about nine o'clock at night. . The patient had no knowledge whatever after the first attack of the fits, down to the period of her death, which took place about nine o'clock the next morning. She gave birth to a full grown dead child within an hour of her death, whilst perfectly unconscious of what had taken place. From her symptoms previously, it was believed the child had been dead some days. Five women who were in attendance on the patient were first examined, who all gave corroborative testimony that the patient had been well and properly attended to by everybody connected with the case. . The nurse was next called who refused to be sworn, and as this was the only legal admissible evidence at inquests, the coroner said he could not examine her. She was a very important witness however, and it is much to be regretted for the sake of fairness, that she would not be sworn as to the statements she might make. She was urged to do so, but still refused. . The three surgeons were afterwards examined on oath by the coroner, when it was stated by Messrs. ANDREW and VINCENT that nothing more could be done, and that the greatest amount of medical skill had been brought to bear on the case. Mr. Vincent stated that nine out of ten such patients die in these cases of first child birth. It is believed that disappointment in matrimony, alienation of family connexions, and absence from home have a decided influence on the unfortunate young women in this locality, coming as they do from all the parishes of a populous union. . The jury was a respectable and intelligent one, and all were perfectly satisfied that everything which attention or experience could suggest had been done. Verdict, "died from natural causes." The inquiry lasted several hours. . ...................... . On Monday last, in the parish of Phillack, on the body of George Whittaker, aged 27 years. The deceased had been drinking pretty much on the 25th, and being on the evening of that day at the White Hart Inn, at Hayle, went from the house into the Inn yard, and the Innkeeper's son having gone into the yard a few minutes after, found him there lying on his face in a state of insensibility and speechless. He was taken into the Inn at once, where means were used to endeavour to recover him to no purpose, and he was taken to his own lodgings, where he was attended to by Mr. MUDGE, a surgeon, by whom other means were resorted to, but without any good effect, the deceased having died shortly after. Verdict, "natural death." . ....................... The following inquest has been held before Mr. JAGOE, county coroner: On Wednesday last, at Callington, on the body of Mrs. FACEY, aged 65 years, wife of Mr. Arthur FACEY, of Dupath, farmer. Mrs. Facey, whilst engaged in her usual household occupations, fell down in front of her fireplace and suddenly expired. Verdict, "died by the visitation of God." . ....................... . The following inquest has been held before Mr. W.R. PENDER, coroner for Falmouth: On Tuesday last, at the King's Arms Hotel, Falmouth, on the illegitimate female child of Miss A.F. DASH, of that town. The evidence was rather of a lengthy character, from which it was evident that no surgeon, nurse, or necessary preparation had been made previous to the birth, and the child was left for a long time on the floor before the surgeon, Mr. DONNALL, arrived. He stated, however, that the child was weak and small, and he believed would not have lived long even if every necessary means had been provided in the usual way. . The child was born on Sunday morning last, about seven o'clock, and when he came the infant was wrapped up in a flannel and was crying, and he ordered it to be fed. He saw the child twice a day until she died on the Tuesday evening. There were no marks or evidence of violence of any kind, and he thought the child died from natural causes, as it was physically weak. After a long discussion between the jury before they could all agree, they returned the following verdict: "Died a natural death; and the jury cannot separate without expressing their great disapprobation that no sort of preparation was made for the birth of the child."