Jo et al - I am quite happy now to say that John Hicks/Hext was the son of Ralph and Mary.
I had thought for a long time that it was the only probable conclusion but there has been enough, including the discrepancies in ages, for me to be reluctant to accept it without further research.
Whilst researching some New Zealand connections (thanks Sandra!
) I came across another marriage that has been in my database for years - that of Stephen CATRAN to Emmaline Marion Trewhela at Thames in 1876.
I knew who the bride was but had never any real clue to the identity of Stephen Catran so yesterday I decided to check him out.
As a result of following the Catran line at Ludgvan I found that Stephen Catran's mother was one Elizabeth HICKS daughter of Thomas Hicks and Elizabeth (nee Blight) who were married at Ludgvan in 1807.
The strange thing here is that, just like John Hicks and Catherine Trewhella, the name was entered into the marriage record as HIX!
Neither John nor Thomas Hicks could sign their own names and Hicks was not a name seen in the Ludgvan registers since about 1722.
One of the first things I noticed about this Hicks family was that the eldest son was named RALPH. Further research showed that Thomas Hicks must have been the son of Ralph HEXT and even though the Census records his birthplace as Ludgvan he was actually baptised at Madron in 1782.
Now then - between 1722 and 1833 there are just three Hix/Hicks marriages at Ludgvan. Those of John and Thomas Hix and then in 1809 was the marriage of Jennifer Hicks to John Roberts.
The details I have found for Jennifer suggest that she must have been the youngest daughter of Ralph Hicks and, therefore, sister to John and Thomas.
With Hicks being less than common in the area it is too much of a coiincidence to have these three marriages at Ludgvan within such a short time which leads to the conclusion that it is most likely they were siblings.
Therefore they must, in my opinion, have been the children of Ralph and Mary HEXT/HIX/HICKS of St Just/Madron/Gulval.
And for a little more icing on the cake:-
Ralph HIX age 21 buried 25th March 1798 at Ludgvan
This is Ralph son of Ralph and Mary Hicks bp. 17th January 1777 at St Just - the elder brother of John, Thomas and Jennifer.
AHA!!!
Ralph HIX age 60 buried 24th July 1808 at Ludgvan - and there lies father!
Ralph son of Thomas Hicks baptised 3rd November 1751 St Just in Penwith.
CT