POLKINGHORNE/POLKINHORN

[cornishmaid]

My Polkinghorne connections, which I "worked out" yesterday.

Thomas Polkinghorne (born 1804 c), married Mary Walters (born c. 1808) on 27 March 1832 at Crowan.

Thomas's parents: Gideon Polkinhorn and Margaret Michell, married 2 March 1800 at Gwinear.

My line of thought as follows:

The only baptism for a Thomas Polkinghorne in Crowan that I could find was:
Thomas Polkinghorne, son of John and Hannah his wife, born 21 March 1808, baptised 2 April 1808.

1808 seems a bit late for his birth, even though the 1851 census states he was born in Crowan. I can't refer to any later census returns because he died before 1861.

I did, however, found a baptism in Gwinear parish of a Thomas, to Gideon and Margaret, which seems much more likely, on 18 March 1804.

This is the more likely baptism because Thomas and Mary's first child was called Gideon! Possibly he was born in Crowan and baptised in Gwinear because of either the denomination of the Church in the area, or the fact that his parents were married there

The question is, do I have the right parents for Thomas Anyone's thoughts would be very welcome

[Cornish Terrier]

My first question has to be - what happened to young Gideon as he does not appear in the 1851 Census with his parents Thomas and Mary (and sisters Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah).

I do not have PR information for Crowan so I am a little limited here but there are things here that might help.

You mention that Thomas and Mary married in 1832.

Daughter Mary (named after mother I should think) was 16 in 1851 and so born about 1834/5.
Daughter Elizabeth was aged 10 which leaves a significant gap and is a possible indication of other children who were deceased at a young age.

And then we have MARGARET which could be significant.

The last child in 1851 is 4-year-old Sarah.

I think you are on the rignt track here.

Because a child was 'born' in a certain Parish does not mean that the 'baptism' had to occur there.

There are many instances that I have found where this has been the case.

Often the child is brought back to the 'home Parish' of it's mother (or father for that matter) to be baptised.

To track down the origins of Mary Walters may be of help but I would suggest the possibility that she also was not originally from Crowan.

The fact the couple married at Crowan is interesting but we may need further information as to 'why'.

If both Thomas and Mary were 'not' from Crowan and had recently taken up residence in that Parish it is quite likely that the Baptism of their children might occur in their 'home' Parish.

Have you found baptisms for the other children which might help.

Keep us informed and I will see what I can do.

[cornishmaid]

Mm, interesting. Well, I spent a few hours in the Cornwall Centre in Redruth yesterday, and had a look through the Parish Registers for Crowan.

Here are the relevant baptisms for Thomas and Mary Polkinghorne (Thomas is listed as a Miner on each of them):

Gideon bapt. 19 August 1832
Mary bapt. 24 November 1833
Margaret bapt. 11 December 1836
Elizabeth bapt. 13 December 1840
Margaret bapt. 24 February 1843

Listed on the census, as you say, is Sarah, born c. 1847. (The registers didn't go up to this date.) By 1881 she is recorded on the Census as being partially paralysed

Under burials I found:

Gideon age 2 years 11 November 1834

I couldn't find a burial for the first Margaret (bapt 1836). The only other Polkinghornes in the burial register were a Mary Ann Polkinghorne, age 2, buried 11 December 1834; and also for a Gideon Polkinghorne, age 70, on 19 February 1832. Could this Gideon have been Thomas's father?

As for Mary, Thomas's wife, I found a baptism for a Mary "Waters" on 22 May 1808, birth on 9 May 1808, parents: Francis and Mary. It is difficult to know if this is the right Mary at present though.

At Thomas and Mary's wedding the witnesses were John Goldsworthy (no clue there as he was at every wedding ), and William Walters. So maybe I am looking for a father or brother called William?

Baptisms for children of Gideon Polkinghorne and Margaret Michell (Thomas's suspected parents) were (according to LDS):

Samuel bapt 3 August 1800 Gwinear
Gideon bapt 28 February 1802 Gwinear
Thomas bapt 18 March 1804 Gwinear
Elizabeth bapt 26 January 1806 Gwinear

Going back to Thomas, who was a miner, there is apparently a volume of books held at Redruth's Cornwall Centre entitled "Mines & Miners in Cornwall". A Thomas Polkinghorne is mentioned on Volume IV, Page 34. As these tomes largely list casualties and fatalities of miners, I may be able to find out when and where Thomas died (if it is the same one). Will go have a look tomorrow and let you know.

[Cornish Terrier]

Given the dearth of available records for me to peruse in the area required I am going to 'sit this one out' for a short time and deal with some other queries.

However, it is possible that I may have in my collection of records some details of Polkinghorne Wills that might be of use.

I will try and take a look through that information a little later and 'hope' to find something of value.

Do not dispair - I will not leave you floundering.

[cornishmaid]

Any Wills you may be able to find would be lovely

I spent another couple of hours in the Cornwall Centre today in 'Druth, and went through baptisms for Gwinear, and baptisms, marriages and burials for Crowan. I am half way through one tome, so will try to finish that off tomorrow.

Not many Polkinghorne's in Gwinear, but quite a few in Crowan . Will work my way through, tie up all the marriages and baptisms and post the details to see how it all hangs together.

Not doing me eyesight too much good poring over all these books, so visited opticians for new much magnified specs, delivery next week. Hopefully I should be able to see the wood for the trees then

[Cornish Terrier]

If they work then please photocopy them and send to me as my eyes are, as we say in Oz (Bu*****d) or, for the less familiar with the term 'not too well'.

I look forward to seeing (braille maybe) the results of your research and hope to be able to work with it and add further for you.

Will try and check through my collection of Wills asap.

Keep up the good work m'darlin - Ooh, Aaargh! and I will, as usual, do my best to help.

[cornishmaid]

Well, having done all that work on Crowan, it now appears that these Polkinghornes came from Polkinhorn Manor, Gwinear? Quite a few moved to Breage as well. LDS take the family (if it is the correct one, back to 1487 with Thomas Polkinhorn.

I will post the details when I have a bit more time. Am away at the moment and borrowing a puty for my daily fix

[cornishmaid]

Sorry, the earliest Polkinhorn I found was Roger Polkinhorn born c. 1320 in Polkinghorn Manor, Gwinear. I will post the lineage as soon as I have more time.

I got back as far as I could with family records, Parish Registers, etc, and then found the rest through the LDS site. Obviously, I will have to check the details myself.

Although no-one is apparently interested in the Polks at the moment I'll post the details anywhere in case anyone is googling for any of them

[Cornish Terrier]

M'dear - just 'cos I haven't done much on this family does not mean'I' am not interested. ;D

Crowan is, as I believe I have mentioned, a Parish for which I have not a great deal of information. But I have numerous connections there via at least two branches of the Trewhella family.

Gwinear is a little similar so I am a little limited on both.

However, I have been to both places whilst I was in Cornwall. (What a silly statement - I could not have been to both places if I was not in Cornwall )

I do have some Polkinghorne information in my database but I believe it may well all be from St Erth - with possible Gwinear references.

Please post your information wherever you think might attract some response but also do the same here as it will be viewed.

I will do my own best to look into it asap - but that 'might' have to wait until after I have moved.

Great to see someone getting involved in Crowan Parish and I do hope to be more involved myself in the near future.

Anyone else with connections - please start posting.

[cornishmaid]

Oops, I meant will post them "anyway" not "anywhere"

I'll post the information as soon as I can.

All the best with your house move, and don't worry, we know how busy you are at the moment and completely understand.

[Cornish Terrier]

Does not hurt to use other avenues to get results.

But we do like to attract people here to discuss their Cornish History and 'advertising pays'.

Post it all and it will be looked at, reviewed, dealt with, answered and queried by as many people as possible.

Any connection to David Polkinhorne who played VFL Football for Hawthorn back in the 1980's in Melbourne.

I am an Essendon supporter but just thought I would ask. ;D

[cornishmaid]

Hawthorn I've only heard of Truro FC

Well, I thought I was onto something, but I've ended up going round and round and round (etc, etc) in circles

Thomas Polkinghorne I think was baptised on 18 March 1804 to Gideon Polkinghorne and Margaret Michell.

If these ARE Thomas's parents, can anyone find the parents of Gideon his father? Gideon married Margaret on 2 March 1800 in Gwinear. All thoughts gratefully received.

My head hurts!

[Cornish Terrier]

I have just spent a couple of hours searching stuff for you and writing a note as I went.

But, with one false key-stroke, the whole of that work has disappeared into the ether.

Simply trying to 'tab' across several screens and all was lost.

Will have to try and repeat the process in the next few days.

I can tell you that, in 1841, Thomas and Mary Polkinghorne (and family) were living at Leedstown, Crowan, right next door to the family of Francis Walters who was, I think, aged about 35.

I think it very likely he was a brother to Mary.

Also did a search of IGI for Gideon Polkinghorne and came up with only 24 entries of which (about half and half baptisms/marriages) all but 4 events were at Breage.

Will try and work through this again for you in the coming days.

Also - for Crowan PRs post 1847:-

Check the Cornwall Record Office website as all except the current PR should have been deposited there.

Also check the site for the Online Parish Clerk for Crowan who will probably be willing to do lookups for you.

That now is about the best I can do for tonight.

[calswimmer]

I found quite a few Polkinghornes in Phillack. I'm somewhat interested in James, b. 1827, posibly to to James m. to Eliza Murley, not sure. Resides with Dorcas Penberthy, and with Job Whitford, James Moorshead, Wm. Hosking.

[Cornish Terrier]

Will try and get to this as soon as I can - just now have a rather interesting problem to sort out on the St Buryan Board regarding 'two' John Shorts.

Some of this has been dealt with via PM until now so as to not confuse people as much as I have been confused.

But I am gradually, I think, working my way round it and should be able to post some progress very soon.

Please be patient and I will get there.

Also remember that I will be moving in a couple of weeks which could cause some further dealys.