Okay - I 'think' I have some answers for you.
I don't know about the stories of smuggling and ghosts and tend to ignore them most of the time and concentrate more on documented facts. Some of the stories may have some substance but in the end it is what is documented that usually leads the way to the answers.
The records show that Joseph George and Ann Nicholas were married at St Buryan 23rd October 1798. Both were sojourners in St Buryan so probably from other Parishes and while Joseph was able to sign his own name Anne made her mark. One of the witnesses was a John Nicholas which may or may not help with the identity of Anne.
There were a total of 8 children from the marriage - Anne (1799-1800), Joseph (1800-), William (1802-),
Anne (1804-), Elizabeth (1805-), Emanuel (1808-1809),
Henry (1809-) and Stephen (1813-1827).
Of the five children who survived beyond the age of 14 I have so far managed to find only Anne (1804) and, of course, Henry who is already known to you. I will try to pursue Joseph, William and Elizabeth a little later but for the purposes of answering your question about the deaths of Joseph and Anne it is only daughter Anne who is required.
In the 1851 Census I found an Ann George age 80 with daughter Nanny age 45 living at New Street in Penzance. Ann stated she was the widow of a labourer and that both she and her daughter had been born at Sennen. By searching for the baptisms of anyone named Ann George in Cornwall between 1800 and 1810 I was able to determine that this couple must almost certainly be the widow and daughter of your Joseph George.
There were just two Ann Georges who could possibly be considered as options with the second option being Ann Catherine George who was baptized at Sennen in 1804 to Peter and Sarah George. Ann Catherine George was buried at Sennen 30th July 1804 leaving just the daughter of Joseph and Ann as a match for the 1851 Census entry.
Moving backwards to the 1841 Census and Ann George age 70 with daughter Nanny age 40 can be found at Quay Street Penzance. (Remember that in 1841 the ages of adults (those over age 15) needed to be only rounded down to the nearest 5 years) Knowing that the last child of Joseph and Ann was son Stephen baptized in 1813 meant that Joseph George must have died sometime between 1812 and the 1841 Census and as his widow and daughter were living at Penzance in 1841 it meant that it was quite possible a burial might be found.
Bear in mind also that Ann was age 70 in 1841 and therefore probably born sometime between about 1766 and 1771. That then gives us a rough guide for the possible age of Joseph George who could have been a little younger or, more likely somewhat older than Ann. A search of the burial records produced just one possible burial:-
Joseph George of Penzance age 80 buried 12th September 1840 at PenzanceSo Joseph was born 'about' 1760 which means that he was probably the following:-
Joseph son of Joseph George and Elizabeth his wife baptized 29th May 1761 at CrowanI know this seems a long way away but after further investigation there can be little doubt. Joseph George of St Hilary and Elizabeth Jenkyn were married at St Just 1st May 1758 and appear to have had just four children.
The first child was daughter Margery baptized at St Hilary in 1759 followed by Joseph at Crowan in 1761, Sarah at St Just in 1764 and Elizabeth at St Just in 1777. The fact the first child was named Margery suggests that Joseph was probably baptized at Sennen in 1731 son of Joseph Margery George for whom I am yet to find a marriage.
Correctly identifying Anne Nicholas is slightly more difficult. Her age in 1841 and 1851 is consistent with a birth about 1770 or 1771 but her age at burial suggests she may have been borne earlier. It is possible her age was not truly known by those who knew her so we need to allow for the inaccuracies.
Ann George pauper from New Street Penzance age 90 was buried 17th July 1855 at PenzanceOn the known information from the Census and her burial we should expect her to be born/baptized sometime around 1765-1771. But the only baptism I can find that appears likely based on the location and Census information with some consideration given to the fact a John Nicholas was a witness to her marriage is the following:-
Anne daughter of John Nichols by Jane his wife born April 6 and baptized June 13 1773 at SennenAdding to the difficulty with this is that I can find no possible marriage of John and Jane!
The only other piece of useful information I have at the moment is the burial of daughter Ann who remained a spinster:-
Ann George of Queen Street age 87 buried 8th February 1888 at PenzanceThis again adds some confusion given her age at burial indicates a birth about 1801. However, after another search of the 1881 Census there can be no doubt this is the daughter of Joseph and Ann George.
Should I find anything else I will post it here later.
CT
