One Francis TREWHEELA or two
is still an unanswered question.
The known Francis was born probably sometime between 1701 and 1710.
He was married at Ludgvan in 1733 and his wife was baptised in 1706.
Francis married Bridget ANTHONEY at Ludgvan 23rd June 1733
There are three children for whom I have found baptisms -
John bp. 15th January 1739 Ldgvan
Bridget bp. 8th January 1742 Ludgvan
Catherine bp. 25th January 1745 Ludgvan
Bridget (wife of Francis) was buried at Ludgvan 3rd January 1752
Ludgvan PR shows a burial 14th July 1747 at Ludgvan for Elizabeth daughter of Francis TREWHEELA
The Bishop's Transcript for that same date shows the event as the burial of Francis TREWHEELA
POINT - there is a gap of six years between the marriage and the baptism of the first child.
POINT - no baptism has been found for daughter Elizabeth.
POINT - it is possible there were more children.
A little over ten years after the baptism of daughter Catherine we find baptisms for three children of Francis TREWHEELA.
John bp. 29th June 1759 Ludgvan
Malachi bp. 14th September 1761 Ludgvan
William bp. 23rd October 1763 Ludgvan
POINT - is this the same Francis or did he have a son of that name?
POINT - the naming of a son MALACHI suggests the possibility that this is the same Francis given he had a brother of that name.
POINT - in either scenario there has been no other marriage found for a Francis TREWHEELA.
And then in 1763 Francis TREWHEELA is sentenced to 7 years transportation to America.
On 10th January 1764 at the Lostwithiel Quarter Sessions an order is made for fees to cover the cost of transporting Francis TREWHEELA and his co-accused Henry CARE.
POINT - it would appear from this that at or very soon after this time the transportation took place.
AND NOW I have this to offer.
Will of James TREWHEELA of Ludgvan
"Item I give unto my Brother ffrances Trewheela The Some of one Shilling to be payd to him within Twelve Months after my Decease"
This Will was WRITTEN 26th March 1764 almost three months after fees were ordered to be paid to cover the cost of Francis TREWHEELA's transportation.
POINT - James TREWHEELA was baptised at Towednack 29th December 1695.
Anyone with any ideas that might help unravel this mystery.
It seems rather coincidental that the last recorded baptism for a child of Francis TREWHEELA was just months before 'a' Francis was transported to America.
And it might seem a little unusual for a man of around 60 years of age to be Transported for 7 years for the crime of petty larceny.
But if this was the same man born around 60 years earlier then it would seem to me to be a little extraordinary that he would be left money in the Will of his elderly brother. (The amount left to Francis, one shilling, was the same amount left by James to his other two living siblings.)
Surely there is enough here to suggest the existence of another Francis TREWHEELA.
BUT - then why is there no baptism for the younger and no burial found for the elder of the two.
Any and all help, thoughts, ideas etc. will be most welcome.