EDDY Family of Cornwall

William was recorded as a miner of 'Boshean' when son Jakeh was baptised (1814), a miner of Bosavern when Matthew was baptised (1822), a miner of Kenidjack (various spellings) when children Mary, Henry, Alfred were baptised (1826, 1830, 1832).

In the 1841 census, ref St Just in Penwith 5-22 (Kenidjack): EDDY«tab»William«tab»45«tab»M«tab»Tin Miner«tab» EDDY«tab»Elizabeth«tab»45«tab»F«tab»«tab» EDDY«tab»John«tab»20«tab»M«tab»Tin Miner«tab» EDDY«tab»Matthew«tab»15«tab»M«tab»Joiner«tab» EDDY«tab»Mary«tab»15«tab»F«tab»«tab» EDDY«tab»Henry«tab»10«tab»M«tab»«tab» EDDY«tab»Alfred«tab»8«tab»M«tab»«tab»

In the 1851 census, at no. 41 Kenidjack, all born St Just (transcription courtesy of Ron Rowe): Eddy«tab»William«tab»head«tab»61«tab»works at an iron foundry«tab» Eddy«tab»Elizabeth«tab»wife«tab»60«tab» Eddy«tab»Henry«tab»son«tab»20«tab»deformed & helpless«tab» Eddy«tab»Alfred«tab»son«tab»18«tab»Tin Miner«tab»

In the 1861 census (from Geoff McKee), no. 86 at Kenidjack, Elizabeth EDDY, 70, formerly miner's wife, b. St Just; lodger with her daughter and son-in-law Mary and William HARVEY and their children

Given the gap between William and Elizabeth's marriage (1811 - see below) and son John's baptism (1820), I think it is highly probable that there were older children that had left the family home before the 1841 census. Also, the first son and daughter were often named after the parents. As there were other William and Elizabeth couples, the correct allocation of children is difficult to do with any certainty, however, the rationale/source for each assumption has been noted.

In looking for a marriage of a William EDDY and an Elizabeth, there are the following possibilities in and around St Just before 1821: A. William EDDY and Elizabeth GRILLS (23 May 1811), St Just B. William EDDY and Elizabeth ROWE (05 Mar 1816), St Just

Having already researched couple B this leaves A as the only alternative.

The Phillimore and Taylor marriage transcription for their wedding doesn't have reference to either William or Elizabeth coming from another parish, so by default they most probably came from St Just. Also, given that William's age was recorded as 61 in the 1851 census, possible baptisms are: (a) William EDDY son of Matthew EDDY & Elizabeth -, 08 Nov 1789 (b) William EDDY son of William EDDY & Ann -, 05 Nov 1792«tab»

Without the 1851 census, I had previously concluded William's baptism to be (b), but I now believe this is probably wrong. The rounding and inaccuracies in general with the 1841 census means that all ages should be taken only as an approximation! From the 1851 census, if William was born abt 1790, (a) would be the best match and although I can't totally eliminate (b), William would have been unusually old for a baptism. Geoff McKee also proposes (a) as the correct baptism for this William.

Note from Geoff McKee: William EDDY was buried 20 Sep 1853 St Just aged 64 of Kenidjack.

In the 1841 census, the family was living at Kenidjack, a small hamlet in the parish of St Just, which has some 17 occupied dwellings, of which 4 have EDDY families in: 5-13: Peter 20 Tin Miner, Matthew 94 Independent and Elizabeth BONE 65 5-14: (next door to 1) Matthew 65 Tin Miner, Ann 65 5-22: William, Elizabeth and family 5-27: Matthew 25 Tin Miner, Susanna 25

The next 2 households entered in the census are said to be Nancherrow: 5-28: Richard 25 Tin Miner, Elizabeth 20, Richard 6 months 5-29: Peter 25 Tin Miner, Mary 25, John 1

As households 1, 2 and 3 all contain Matthew EDDYs, I think they are related to the family of William and Elizabeth (given that they have a son Matthew). In 5-13, Matthew EDDY, 94 is recorded as "Independent" suggesting some wealth; he possibly could have owned some/several of the Kenidjack properties. It appears that he is the father of William (5-22) and Matthew (5-14), and the grandfather of Matthew (5-27).