EDDY Family of Cornwall

William was recorded as a miner from Carngrean when son William was baptised (1834), a miner from Gurland when children Jane, Margaret, Mary, Nanny, Elizabeth were baptised (1836, 1839, 1842, 1844, 1847), a miner from Nanquidno when children James, James, William were baptised (1852, 1854, 1856), and a miner of Nanquidno when daughter Jane was married (1856).

In the 1841 census at Gurland, St Just in Penwith (ref 10-1) EDDY William 30 M Tin Miner EDDY Margaret 25 F EDDY William 7 M EDDY Jane 5 F EDDY Margaret 1 F

In the 1851 census at Nanquidno, St Just ref 3i-31 (1919 f 274 31): EDDY William HD M 40 EDDY Margret WI M 35 EDDY William SO U 16 EDDY Margret DA - 12 EDDY Mary DA - 8 EDDY Nanny DA - 6 EDDY Elizabeth DA - 4 EDDY Eliza DA - 1 (all born St Just)

Can't find daughter Jane in the 1851 census.

In the 1861 census at Nanquidno, St Just (ref 13-29): EDDY William Head M 49 EDDY Margret Wife M 47 EDDY Mary Daughter - 9 EDDY James Son - 8 EDDY William Son - 5 EDDY Eliza Daughter - 2 (all born St Just)

William was buried 4 Jan 1870 in St Just, aged 59 of Nanquidno.

In the 1871 census at Nanquidno, St Just (ref 13-2): EDDY Margaret Head W 58 EDDY James Son U 18 EDDY William Son - 15 EDDY Eliza Daughter - 12 (all born St Just)

In the 1881 census at Nanquidno, St Just (ref 13-18): Eddy Margret Head W 69 Tin Miners Wife(Crossed Out) St Just Cornwall Eddy William Son S 25 Tin Miner St Just Cornwall

Finding the correct baptism entry for William has so far not been possible. Aged 59 when buried 4 Jan 1870 suggests he was born the year preceeding 4 Jan 1811. The only baptism in St Just around this time was 27 Sep 1812, son of William and Elizabeth. However, I believe that is a different William (who had a son called Matthew, which tallies with William and Elizabeth who also had a son called Matthew).

The census returns state William was born in St Just, so looking for other William baptisms in St Just give one in 1809 and earlier (which it would seem are before this William was born), and then 4 in 1816: (a) William EDDY & Rebecca -, 09 Feb 1816 (b) William EDDY & Rebecca -, 14 Apr 1816 (c) William EDDY & Charlotte -, 19 Jun 1816 (d) William EDDY & Elizabeth -, 03 Jul 1816

Of these we can eliminate (a) as the first William born to William and Rebecca that must have died before (b) was baptised. We can also eliminate couple (c), as their William was still living with them in the 1841 census and then married an Elizabeth (they were in the 1871 census with his mother, Charlotte). We can also eliminate couple (d) as their William was also still living with them in the 1841 census. This leaves (b) however I have attributed him as the one that married Jane BOYNS (although for a little more certainty I would've liked to see the name Rebecca passed on to their children). There's a possibility that this may be wrong, but there's no stronger argument that (b) is this William that married Margaret WILLIAMS, after all, with all the girls they had, you would've expected one to be named Rebecca.

Perhaps the biggest clue to solving this lies with the marriage witness, John EDDY. How does he fit in? Father? Brother? Shame it isn't a more unusual first name! In 1834 William was living at Carngrean - this is on the edge of St Just parish, and very close to St Buryan. Perhaps he was baptised there? Unfortunately, I think not: There seems to be only one William EDDY baptism in St Buryan about the right time, 2 Aug 1812, son of William and Mary. (Baptisms before then are 1808 - too early - then none until 1827). However, I believe it more likely that he is the one that married Prudence WARREN.

I have investigated the significance of their first daughter's name, Jane, and believe this was passed down from Margaret's mother. And Margaret had sisters named Mary and Nanny.

However, the other children's names, Elizabeth, Eliza, and James could be more significant to William's family. If William's father wasn't called William, there's a good chance he was called James. With this in mind, there is a baptism for a William, son of James and Jane, 22 May 1808 in St Just.