St Just / Thomas

[thomastrail]

Good Morning Penwith Genealogy

So pleased I found you, hope all well given the situation?


I’m hoping you may be able to help. I’ve discovered a strong link to St Just on my mother’s paternal side. The Thomas family. Research initially took me up to mining in Cumberland and then working back - tin mining in St Just for generations. 

The paternal line (most recent first) is as follows:

* Gabriel Thomas (b 1845) tin miner - married 1868 - to Mary Maddern (Madron?) (b1845) subsequently moved to Cumberland became iron miner.

* Gabriel Thomas (b 1815) tin miner - married 1843 - to Mary Hicks (b 1815)

* John Thomas     (b 1779) tin miner - married 1806 - to Susanna James

* William Thomas (b?) tin miner?      - married 1774 - to Margery Roberts

So, I’m pretty pleased I’ve got back to the mid 18th century. 

A few thoughts/questions ....

1. It would seem that around mid/late 19th Century the tin mining industry was in decline and families had to go in search of work (Cousin Jack?) hence heading north to Cumberland. That must have been a massive decision? How would that have come about? Were representatives sent to Cornwall to recruit?

2. I think many of my Thomas family are buried in the Methodist graveyard, at what point did the Wesleyan influence come to the fore. Did Wesley preach in St Just?

3. Is there any way I can trace which mine my relatives would have worked at?

4. Whilst it’s great to have all these names going back so far I’m particularly interested in their social history and the social history of St Just. To understand the shape of St Just, the people and their lives ... does anyone know of any books or literature out there?

5. How might I trace the Thomas line back before William Thomas (mid eighteen century)

Hoping that I might, with your assistance, start to build and picture of St Just through the centuries.

Thanks in anticipation, looking forward to hearing from you.

Best
Peter 

[londoner]

Have you seen the excellent West Penwith Resources website by RIick Parsons. Sadly not recently updated so not all links work but a great place for basic information.

[londoner]

For general local history the Penwith Local History group has several interesting publications.

[donne]

Nov 19, 2020 7:27:40 GMT -5 thomastrail said:

Good Morning Penwith Genealogy

2. I think many of my Thomas family are buried in the Methodist graveyard, at what point did the Wesleyan influence come to the fore. Did Wesley preach in St Just?

Wesley did indeed preach at some St. Just as recorded in his Journals. See, for example, www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/C_Wesley/17 and the quote from the entry for 24 Jul 1744 as follows:

"Tues., July 24th. I preached near Penzance, to the little flock encompassed by ravening wolves. Their Minister rages above measure against this new sect, who are spread throughout his four livings. His Reverend brethren follow his example. The grossest ties which are brought them they swallow without examination, and retail the following Sunday. One of the Society (James Dale) went lately to the Worshipful and Rev. Dr. Borlase for justice against a rioter, who had broke open his house, and stole his goods. The Doctor's answer was, "Thou conceited fellow, art thou too turned religious? They may burn thy house if they will: thou shalt have no justice." With these words he drove him from the judgment-seat.

I preached at St. Just to the largest company that had ever been seen there; and strongly warned the Society against spiritual pride."

[thomastrail]

Hello.
Many thanks for the above assistance and leads. Appreciate your time and help.
Will be following these up.

Discovered yesterday that one distant relation ended up as a Methodist minister/pastor in California- probably just as the west coast was becoming the new frontier.

Thanks again - all assistance welcome.

Peter