Sextons of St Levan

[myghaelangof]

My ancestor William Angove was sexton of St Levan church, as stated on his burial entry in 1828 age 76yrs old. A previous sexton was buried in 1822 aged 78. What were a sextons duties, and did he need to be literate?

Who would the sextons have been? Anyone, or people with connections? I'm more curious about this as the headstone for Williams ' son Robert Angove who died in 1844, is dreckly in front of the main church door. The headstone also includes Roberts wife Mary who died in 1879.

With regards to the headstone I would conclude that its either coincidental that it is so prominent or that over the years the Angove family had some local standing. Does anyone have any experience on placing of headstones

One day I'll trace William Angove, although there are several theories.
Mike

[londoner]

Sexton (office)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A sexton is a church officer charged with the maintenance of the church buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard.

In smaller churches, this office is often combined with that of verger.

In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed.

Origin of the Name
The word "Sexton" is believed to be derived from the Anglo-Norman "segerstein" which itself originated from the Latin word "sacristanus" which basically means "someone who looks after the sacred objects

So probably would not have needed to be literate but would be vital to the life of the church and well respected.

[Cornish Terrier]

Mike - it would appear you are talking about the William Angove who married Mary WATERS at St Levan 8th December 1792.

The Transcript of his burial (my copy shows he was 78) but, nonetheless, he was still probably born around 1750-1753.

I would be thinking that the following is the burial of his wife:-

ANGOVE Mary 17-Feb-1849 aged 73 of Workhouse

This puts her birth at around 1775.

What tells me this is 'probably' the right family is your mention of son Robert who was buried at St Levan in 1844.

This would be:-

Robert Angove s/o William & Mary bp. 8th December 1800 at St Levan

Are you certain that Robert's wife was Mary.

ANGOVE Jane 12-Aug-1879 aged 82 of ArdenSawah

This is the only Angove recorded in the Burial Transcript for St Levan in 1879.

I am thinking that this might be who you mean:-

24 Jul 1826 by Banns
Robert Angove, Labourer [Mark]
Jane Bonetta [Mark]
Witnesses: Henry Harvey, Thos. Osborne


Please let me know how this is looking and I will try and do some more for you.

Not much point if I am heading down the wrong track.

Ian

[myghaelangof]

Shoot me! Sorry Ian, yes Robert married Jane. And William married Mary Waters in 1792. Witnesses to the 1792 marriage were Daniel Waters and Richard Waters, leading us to think that Mary was born 23 August 1771, being baptised 2 days later as the daughter of Daniel WATERS and Margaret SHETFORD or SHETFAR. Another child was named Richard and he would have been 31 at the time of sister Mary's marriage in 1792.

I have a copy of the burial entry at home for William Angove, and its clear he wasn't 78. The second digit is nothing like other 8's on the page, and most likely it states 76, a very slim possibility could be 70 with a big tail on the '0'. Over the preceding years there are various references to other Angoves in the area, notably Abel Angove holding lands in Kelynack and other parts of Penwith, but no clear evidence to tie my William into any specific family.

Mary Angove/Waters age on the 1841 was 70, rounded off no doubt, though this would fit with a 1771 birth. Have always been a bit curious about this marriage as William would have been 40 when he married 20 year old Mary.. Was William previously married, or in the forces abroad?

Thank you Londoner for researching the Sexton role. I always understood it was a caretaker/ grave digger role.
Best wishes Mike

[Cornish Terrier]

Sorry Mate - NO BULLETTS. ;D

Should I be still on line I will try and look into this a little more after work tonight.

BUT - please send a note to remind me as I have a lot of things I am trying to do at the moment.

Ian