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Post by sue on Nov 14, 2015 13:24:39 GMT -5
Don, if you spend time (& good eyesight! )peering at the baptisms & marriages in the St Ives parish registers that FamilySearch have placed digital photographs of online, then you will probably find the baptisms of Stephen Major's 1st batch of children, & even perhaps his 1st marriage to Mary X.... As to "my" Catherine Major, she baptized an illegitimate child Catherine in 1773, so age-wise, the most obvious of the "known" candidates would be 1737 daughter of Ephraim; who may perhaps have married Thomas King 1778 St Ives; who may have managed just the one legitimate King child 1782 St Ives when if so Catherine would have been 45, top whack for child-bearing...... then been buried a widow age 75 in 1811..... none of which is evidence that Catherine is the mother of illegitimate Catherine Uren Major St Ives 1773! That is my problem for another day. Your Sarah Major is enough to concentrate on, for now! Sue
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 14, 2015 13:39:45 GMT -5
I would still like to exercise a little caution here. Circumstantial evidence seems to suggest we may have one Stephen Major with two wives named Mary but there is still the possibility it was two different Stephen Majors, possibly father and son, who each had a wife named Mary. The hurdle that needs to be overcome is the lack of baptisms for the children Stephen mentioned in his Will - in particular Ephraim, Richard and Sarah. And given wife Mary and daughter Mary are named as executors and residual legatees with seemingly no mention of trustees we should also be searching for a baptism for Mary. (If Mary Paynter was the wife mentioned in the Will then the Mary baptised to Stephen in 1694 would have to be the daughter named in the will. As this daughter would have been just 3 when the Will was written I would have thought there would be some mention of trustees in case the widow died or remarried.) It would be very wise to refrain from making too many assumptions at this stage. CT
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 14, 2015 13:49:51 GMT -5
Sue, I have already tried that ...... twice!! ..... and have been able to find children only for Timothy and William prior to around 1689 when the first daughter Mary is baptised to Stephen. (She died in 1691 and another Mary was baptised in 1694.)
If Stephen was the son of Timothy (mentioned in Timothy's Will) then Stephen may have married prior to 1654 which seems to be the earliest surviving marriage record for St Ives. But I would have expected to find a baptism for at least one child in the period from 1651 onwards.
CT
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Post by sue on Nov 14, 2015 13:58:48 GMT -5
Good job I said the burial of Mary wife of Stephen Major in 1688 "may, perhaps, be the answer"...! As ever you are bringing sound advice to this CT - bottom line is, more evidence is needed for the members of the Major family in the St Ives area, before conclusions are drawn. (I had a peer at early St Ives PRs this afternoon, and I remember doing this before a few years ago for something else; I quickly concluded that I would leave this research to Don!!!) Sue
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Post by sue on Nov 14, 2015 17:31:08 GMT -5
For some unknown reason I have just spent the last while trawling through all the entries for "Major" in John Hobson Matthews' 1892 A History of the Parishes of St Ives....... (downloadable for free Don, if you don't already have it.)
For what it's worth, early entries include 1620 rates Timothye Maior 9d 1634 & 1638 Timothy Major oversee of the poor 1666 Subsidy - Steph. & Tim. Major in bon 1669 Timothy Major reimbursement for wine purchase 1681 Thomas Major married Chesten Rosewall Towednack 1685 Ephraim Major burgess 1686 Ephraim Major took witnesses to Launceston
Then, OPC has Hearth Tax entries 1664 St Ives for St Ives for John, Stephen, Timothy, William & Jane Major
OPC also has Protestation Return entries for William & Timothie Maior 1641 St Ives; with John Maior at Towednack
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 14, 2015 23:54:33 GMT -5
Sue - I did something similar in response to the first query involving Timothy Major whose PCC Will proved November 1656 names sons John, Stephen, William and Timothy as well as granddaughter Jane (daughter of Timothy). A son of John Major was buried at St Ives in the 1650s but apart from that I think the only Major entries are for children of William and Timothy up to the marriage of Stephen in 1688. There are some other burials but I need to work through the PRs again to identify them all. From memory there is some mention that Timothy Major originated in Ireland and it certainly appears likely that most, if not all, Majors at St Ives descend from him. I would therefore expect Thomas Major (Towednack) to be connected but at the moment I am not sure just where he might fit.
I think I will spend some time this afternoon and later tonight to see if I can make a little more sense of it all.
CT
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ddrury5840
Noweth
looking for any leads for timothy major (or maior) born before 1600.
Posts: 10
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Post by ddrury5840 on Nov 19, 2015 23:38:00 GMT -5
Sue and ct,
I'd like to digress though still on the Major family. William Major born (1634) had a son also named William (1669-1691). The son did not leave a will but there was an administration account listed as "17 Sep 1691 fhl# 1471277 M1343 administration (died in service)William Major"
My question is about the phrase (died in service). What does that mean?
Don
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 20, 2015 8:25:14 GMT -5
Don - I am not quite sure but it possibly relates to some form of service to the King which, if so, would probably mean military.
What is the source of the details you have provided and do you possibly have a copy of the document I might be able to look at??
Also, do you have copies (or transcripts) of some of the other Wills for the Major family at St Ives?? I note several that should be of extreme interest as per this list:-
MAJOR, Joan: will proved 27 May 1687 MAJOR, John: will proved 22 Oct 1683 MAJOR?, Mathew: will proved 17 Oct 1705 MAJOR, Stephen: will proved 24 May 1700 MAJOR, Thomas: admon dated 19 Oct 1699 MAJOR, William: admon dated 17 Sep 1691 MAJOR, Jane: will proved 18 May 1709 MAJOR, Richard: will proved 26 Apr 1721 MAJOR, Ephraim: will proved 1 May 1758 MAJOR, Francis: will proved 1 May 1766 (pt. 8) MAJOR, Henry: will proved 17 May 1750 MAJOR, Henry: admon dated 19? Jul 1771 MAJOR, Richard: admon dated 24 Nov 1752
CT
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ddrury5840
Noweth
looking for any leads for timothy major (or maior) born before 1600.
Posts: 10
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Post by ddrury5840 on Nov 20, 2015 13:05:51 GMT -5
ct,
The report on William is all I have on the admin. Since it lists a Family History Library number you might find more there. I have never had much luck looking at their on line site but perhaps I'm not searching correctly.
I'll check on the wills and admins. I recognize a few that I know I have and will check on the rest. One question. Is there any way to paste the data into the reply box so I don't have to be concerned about typos if I have to type them in?
Most of these documents were shared by jmajor who has posted to this thread before. She is a 4th cousin by marriage and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. I presume they came from the Mormon records at their library since all that branch of the family are of that faith.
don
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ddrury5840
Noweth
looking for any leads for timothy major (or maior) born before 1600.
Posts: 10
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Post by ddrury5840 on Nov 20, 2015 19:44:55 GMT -5
ct, I figured it out so here is what I have.
GENEALOGICAL WILL DATA FOR JOAN. I hope this is the one you asked for.
Joane Major was a widow.
Will record dated 1682
Sister: Elizabeth Thomas, wife of William Thomas of Heathwall?
Daughter: Elizabeth Major, wearing apparell and ten pounds
Son: William Major ten pounds
Son Edward "dwellings, house and gardens. She gives the time left from "my lease ffrom Vernon Browne, gent."
signed Henry Morrish, Richard Giles and Sith Robinson
*********************************** Will of John Major s/o Tymothy Major & h/o Marjory
This information and comment furnished to me by jmajor.
This will appears to be misdated for the following reasons: It mentions his son-in-law Richard Trudgron, yet daughter Margery didn't marry Richard Trudgean until 1677. There is a John Major who, according to the Burials records of St. Ives parish records that died in 1683. There is no John Major buried in 1668 or any time before 1683. This date also makes much more sense dated in 1683 because Ephraim Maior and Richard Maior, sons of Stephen Maior or Major signed John Major's will. They would have been small boys in 1668, but they were men in 1683.
-------------------------- In the name of God Amen I John Major of the Bourough of St Ives in the County of Cornewall yeoman do make this my last will & Testament in manner & forme followinge:
Item I doe give unto my son in Law Richard Trudgron one shilling
Item I give to my daughter two shillings
Item I give unto her one silver spoone more I give her one Brass pan
Item I give my grandchild John two shillings
Item I give to Grace Sentren? ten shillings
All of the rest of my goods and Chattells not given and Bequeathed I doe by this personaly give & bequeath to Thomas Major my son whome I doe y these personly constitute appoynt my full sole executor In witness whereof I have to this ? ? set my hand ? this fifteenth Day of Aprill Anno Die 1668 Sign of John Major ************************************* Will of Stephen Major 1700
Will of Stephen Major dated 4 June 1697
I Stephen Major of the Burrogh of St. Ives in the County of Cornwall being in my perfect health & memory do make this my last will and Testament in mannor and forme following:
Item I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Lord and Savior and my body committ to the Earth in hope of a joyfull resurrection at the last day
Item I Give to my Son Ephraim Major one Shilling to be paid by my Executrix
Item I Give to my Son Richard one Shilling to be paid by my Executrix
Item I give to my daughter Sarah the wife of Laurenes Cuberte? one shilling to be paid by my Executrix
Item I give to my wife Mary and my daughter Mary whome I make my Executrixes all the rest of my Goods and Chattles moveable and un moveable equally to be divided betwix them desiring (?) the Lord to bless them all and to live in love together and to be a comfort and help to each other. In wittness whom ? unto I have set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of June Anno Domini 1697 The sign of Stephen X Major ******************************** You already have everything I had on William 1691
***************************************************** Will of Jane Major 1709
Will of Jane Major wife of Tymothy Major II, FHL #90169, dated 4 July 1706
In The name of God Amen I Jane Major of the Burrough of St. Ives in the Countye of Cornewall Widdow being sicke of body but of a sound and perfecte mind memory thanks be therefore given to the Almighty god do make and ordaine this my ? last will and testament in mannor and forme following--that is to say first and prinicipally
forward? my soule into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merritts death and passion of my Lord Savior Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins and to inherritt everlasting life, and my boddy forewith to the earth to be buryed at the descretion of my executrix here after named and as touching the disposition of all such termporall that as it hath pleased Almighty god to bestow on us I give and bequeath thereof as followeth
I will that my funerall charges and expences shall be paid & discharged by my Exectrix here after named
I give to William Leacher of the pish(parrish) of Uny Lelant (my Son in Law) six pence to be paid and discharged within twelve months next after my decease.
I give unto Alexander Bryan of the parrish of Camborne (and other of my sonse in law) six pence to be paid within twelve months next after my decease.
I give to my son in Law George Eustice of Crowan six pence to be paid with twelve month next after my decease.
I give to my Son in Law Matthew Quicke of the parrish of Towednack six pence to be paid within twelve months after my decease.
I give to my Sonne Henry Major of the said burough of St. Ives, in the said county of Cornewall yeoman six pence to be paid within twelve monthes next after my decease
I give to my Sonne in Law John James of the Said Burrough of St. Ives in the county willwright six pence to be paid within one yeare next after my decease.
All the rest and of my real and personall estate goodes, Chattle, whatforever and whatsoever not herein or hereby formerly given or Bequeathed I do hereby give and Bequeath unto my daughter Jane Major and who I doe hereby make full and sole exectrix of this last will and testament.
And I do hereby revoake dissannull and make void all former wills and testaments by me heretofore and I witness whereof I the said Jane Major to this my last will and testaments by wherefore my hand, seale the fourth day of July anno dommi 1706
The sign of Jane Major
published & endorsed this of us
John James
Anne James
Alex James ********************************
Genealogical Will data for Richard Major 1721
Will Record dated July 29, 1720, probated 26 April 1721: FHL# 90187 pg 212 No property mentioned.
Eldest son: Richard
Second son: Ephraim
Youngest son: Stephen
daughter: Mary
Wife: Catherine
Witnesses Tho Bottrell, Mary Nines, Wm Polkinhorne? . Richard Major signed the will of John Major, Uncle, as "Richard Maior" **************************** An additional will I would like to see is the will of john Thomas of Helston. According to jmajor in a post of Apr 13 2014 he is the father of Jane Major.
Generation 2: Timothy Major, (ca 1630-1705) was married to Jane Thomas (ca1634-1708) proved by the will of her Father, John Thomas, from Helston and her own will dated 1708.
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 20, 2015 21:53:39 GMT -5
Hi Don - many, many thanks for the details you have provided on those Wills. I have been working on the Major family constantly over the last week or so and trying to piece the various families together from original records (where I can access them). The attached information will be very helpful in this task.
Once I have completed my own reconstruction of the family I will be better placed to answer some of the queries raised in this thread. And I will also be more comfortable and certain about some of my own links to the Major families of St Ives.
CT
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ddrury5840
Noweth
looking for any leads for timothy major (or maior) born before 1600.
Posts: 10
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Post by ddrury5840 on Nov 21, 2015 13:54:03 GMT -5
ct,
This will may also be of interest. It is the will of Ann Coniam of Newton st cyrs (sister of Elizabeth who married Henry Major).
don
DEATH: Ann Coniam died at age 79 years in 1819. She wrote a will 1 Oct 1815. (Estate Or death Duty Office Wills for the Diocese of Exeter) FHL#1278841. It appears that all Coniam family members are dead because she wrote the following:
This is the last will and Testament of me Ann Coniam of Newton Saint Cyres in the County of Devon, single woman. I give all my wearing apparel and clothes and likewise my Bed and Bedding to my three nieces Ann Major, Elizabeth the wife of John Campbell, and Jane Major equally to be divided between them and to be delivered within a Month from my deathe. I give to my said three nieces twelve pounds a piece, to my Nephew Richard Major two Pounds, to my Nephew Henry Major the younger two pounds, to my nephew William Major two Pounds and to the said John Campbell two Pounds to be paid at the end of six Calendar Months from my decease and the aforesaid Legacies to be paid from my Lands and Tenements here in after mentioned and I give and devise all the residue of my goods Chattlels Credits and personal Estate whatsoever and all Messuages? Tenements Lands and ? and ? Estate whatsoever continually known by the name of Whiddonen or Whitesmon set into lying and being in the Parish of Newton Saint Cyres in the County of Devon aforesaid with all my right title and Interest in the same (subject to the payment of my personal expenses the cost of drawing this my will, my just debts and the Legacies aforesaid) unto my Brother in Law Henry Major Senior of Newton Saint Cyres of ? his Heirs Executors Administrators and assigned forever. And I appoint my said Brother in law Henry Major Senior the Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I revoke all former Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord One Thouseand Eight hundred and fifteen. Ann Coniam Seal
Signed sealed pulbished and delivered by the above named Ann Coniam the Tesatment ? for and to be her last will and testament in the presense and ? who at her request and in her presense same subscribed our names? as witnesss to the same, Alice Barrall, Rob. Maunder, Jo Thomas
Examined with original will by me Jos. Hangue?
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 21, 2015 14:06:26 GMT -5
Thanks Don - that is most interesting and most helpful. I have copied it aside with the rest of my Major-related Wills to process as I work through the Parish Registers.
One good thing already is that the Will of John Major gave me a home for the Thomas Major who married Cheston Rosewall at Towednack in 1682.
CT
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ddrury5840
Noweth
looking for any leads for timothy major (or maior) born before 1600.
Posts: 10
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Post by ddrury5840 on Nov 28, 2015 23:22:08 GMT -5
To all on this thread,
Can anyone help me sort out Henry Major (1807) from his uncle Henry (1779)? There is no mention of Henry (1779) in his father's will of 1819 and Henry (1807)seems to disappear after his father Richard moves to London. I did find a marriage of (some) Henry to a Mary Reed with four children. Might this be the Uncle Henry or have I got everything mixed up as often happens? If anyone has good information about Henry in London I would greatly appreciate it.
Don
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Post by Cornish Terrier on Nov 30, 2015 0:40:20 GMT -5
Don - I am still working on the Major families but my understanding at the moment is that the man who married Mary Reed at Newton St Cyres in 1806 is your Henry of 1779 (son of Henry and Elizabeth). I do not currently have Henry of 1807 in my database so cannot answer that question.
CT
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