EDDY Family of Cornwall

Investigating children of Andrew and Jane HARRY, the baptism records of that time tended not to record the mother. Baptism entries that I have recorded for possible children of Andrew EDDY, (before 1790) are: (a) Charity EDDY, 05 Jan 1734 Morvah (b) Andrew EDDY, 06 May 1736 Morvah (c) Jane EDDY, 12 Dec 1743 Morvah (d) John EDDY, 24 Jun 1745 Madron (e) Jane EDDY, 09 Apr 1748 Morvah (f) William EDDY, 08 Sep 1751, Madron (g) David EDDY, 05 May 1754 Morvah (h) Richard EDDY, 09 Apr 1757 Morvah (i) Christian EDDY, 02 Mar 1760, Morvah (j) Jane EDDY, 01 Jan 1775 Gulval (k) Joseph EDDY, 18 Jan 1778 Zennor (l) Andrew EDDY, 31 Oct 1781 Zennor (m) Anne EDDY, 13 Apr 1788 Zennor

Andrew EDDYs that married around this time: (A) Andrew EDDY married Jane HARRY, 25 Apr 1734 in Morvah (B) Andrew EDDY married Jane JENKIN, 07 Feb 1742/43 in Madron (C) Andrew EDDY married Joan NICHOLLS, 13 Nov 1769 in Gulval (D) Andrew EDDY married Joanna THOMAS, 06 Jan 1781 in Zennor

Based on the locations of the marriages and baptisms, presumably couple (A) had children (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i) and possibly (a) (out of wedlock); couple (B) had children (d) and (f); couple (C) had child (j); and couple (D) had children (l), (m) and possibly (k) (out of wedlock).

However, I have received emails from 2 other researchers who say that Jane HARRY was Andrew EDDY's first wife and she died when their son (Andrew) was born. Andrew then married a second time to Jane JENKIN.

Several pieces of information support this, and although I don't yet have a clinching piece of proof (such as Andrew being recorded as widower for his second marriage), I believe it is probably correct, mainly due to the following 2 things. Firstly, there is a suspicious 7 and a half year gap between the baptisms of children (b) and (c). Secondly, it appears that Andrew EDDY and Jane JENKIN didn't have a son called Andrew - which would have been very unusual... unless Andrew already had a son.

The following are the key points of an indenture (ref. Cornwall Record Office DDX/110/5/7) which I believe refers to this Andrew EDDY: 28 Feb 1765 Indenture between Walter Borlase, of Castle Horneck, and Andrew Eddy, of Morvah, yeoman. £80 of which £40 by hand and £40 on or before 28 May 1765 Trevean and Trevithan for 99 years Andrew Eddy's sons John aged about 19 and William aged about 14.

The following are the key points of Andrew's Will, courtesy of Ronald Rowe: ANDREW EDDY of Morvah, yeoman written: 19 Apr 1767 proved: 14 May 1767 son: ANDREW EDDY 1 sh. daughter: CHARITY w/o HUGH EDWARDS 1 sh. wife: JANE 4 pounds yearly from estate in Trevowhen called EDMUND HARRY's land; also executor mentions: estate in Tremboth in Morvah, part of THOMAS HARRY's land 4 sons & 2 daughters (not named) all the rest Andrew Eddy witnesses: NIC: WALLIS, JOHN HARRY Vol. 10. p. 141

From the Will, we can confirm that Charity is Andrew's daughter, despite being born out of wedlock.

Notes from Geoff McKee: Andrew EDDY, yeoman of Morvah, made a will 19 Apr 1767 naming his wife Jane; son Andrew; daughter Charity, wife of Hugh EDWARDS; and younger children - four sons and two daughters. Witnesses were Nic. WALLIS and John HARRY. Andrew EDDY was buried 1 May 1767 Morvah. The will was proved 14 May 1767. Jane EDDY, widow of Morvah, made a will 4 Oct 1778 naming her sons John, William, David and Richard; and daughters Jane and Catherine. Jane EDDY was buried 20 Jan 1779 St Just, a widow aged 58. The will was proved 20 May 1779.