Mary (Edy) Johns (abt. 1782 - 1861)

Biography

Mary Edy

• • She was born about 1782, being baptised on 1 Sep 1782 at Lanlivery, Cornwall to Joseph and Jane Eady. ^[1]

• • She married firstly, Joseph Knight on 24 Dec 1804 at St winnow, Cornwall. ^[2] They had at least two children before Joseph's death. She then married secondly, John Johns at St winnow, Cornwall on 26 Jun 1816. ^[3] They also had at least two children.

• • After her husband John's death in 1826, Mary and her two daughters inherited the estate of her husband, including Down (or Alms) house in St Winnow. ^[4] In 1858 Mary and her two daughters leased this property to a Joseph Johns of St Winnow, yeoman. ^[5]

• • At the 1841 census she was living in St Winnow with her three children. ^[6]

• • At the 1851 census she is living in St Winnow, Cornwall aged 70, a framer of 15 acres, living with daughter Johanna and her two children. ^[7] In the 1861 census Mary (age 80) was the head of household in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a retired farmers widow (born Lanlivery) living with daughter Johanna and her son. ^[8]

• • She died on 9 May 1861 at Lostwithiel, Cornwall. Probate of her estate "as Mary Johns, formerly of St Winnow, lately of Lostwithiel" was proved by oath of Joanna Campbell (wife of Edward Campbell, labourer), her daughter. Effects were valued under £100. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism register of Lanlivery, Cornwall, England. 1 Sep 1782. Register reads Mary daughter of Joseph and Jane Eady.
2. ↑ St Winnow marriage register 24 Dec 1804. Joseph Knight and Mary Edy married.
3. ↑ St Winnow, Cornwall, England parish marriage register. Register reads 26 Jun 1816 John Johns, Farmer, bachelor of this parish = Mary Knights, WIDOW of this parish. Marriage by Banns, both sign by "mark of". Witnesses: Joseph Kent, Mark Glanvill.
4. ↑ The will of John Johns, late of St Winnow, Cornwall, yeoman. Written 28 aug 1819, it begins "I John Johns of Down house, or Alms house in the parish of St Winnow Cornwall......whereas my wife Mary Johns fancies that she is now with child, I give to my daughter Elizabeth and the child so to be born £80 now in the hands of Richard Foster esq, in equal proportions.". He further bequeths his daughter Elizabeth two featherbeds, a bedstead, a clock and watch table. All the rest of his estate, including Down house, and the orchard called Vale orchard, in equal share to his wife Mary, his child Elizabeth, and his unborn child if Mary proves to be pregnant. If his wife should marry again, he wills that his estate and property shall be held by William Tickell, gentleman of Lostwithiel, in trust for his child or children. He then states that if his wife and child (or children) should die his estate was to go to his nephew David John. Signed John Johns (mark of). Witt Philip Carnsew and Sarah Tickell. Proved my Mary Johns, widow on 13 Oct 1826. Value of estate under £120.
5. ↑ Lease, Down House, Down Park and other lands, St Winnow, Cornwall. Cornwall record office ref: F/3/4/585 5 Sep 1858 1) Mary Johns, widow, of St Winnow; Philip Hoars, innkeeper, of Dubwalls, Liskeard; Elizabeth, his wife; and Joanna Cass, widow, of St Winnow 2) Joseph Johns, yeoman, of St Winnow, Cornwall. A lease by 1) to 2) of the messuage or dwelling house called Down House otherwise alius house; a piece or parcel of land called Down Park, which is part and parcel of messuage called Oak, otherwise the Oak; and also seven acres of land formerly enclosed by John Johns from and out of the Commons or waste lands belonging to Bridge manor, all situated in St Winnow, Cornwall. This lease refers to a previous indenture, dated 1 November 1813. Term: 60 years or on the lives of Johanna Penny and Harriet Nicholls. Consideration: the rent and covenants described in the deed. Rent: £20 to be paid by equal quarterly payments.
6. ↑ 1841 Census: "1841 England Census"
   Class: HO107; Piece: 153; Book: 20; Civil Parish: St Winnow; County: Cornwall; Enumeration District: 3; Folio: 29; Page: 1; Line: 13; GSU roll: 241274
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 8978 #610700 (accessed 18 March 2022)
   Mary Johns (55) in Bodmin registration district.
7. ↑ 1851 Census: "1851 England Census"
   Class: HO107; Piece: 1904; Folio: 31; Page: 6; GSU roll: 221055-221056; ED, institution, or vessel: 1c; Household schedule number: 22
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 8860 #7054840 (accessed 28 April 2023)
   Mary Johns (70) head of household in St Winnow in Bodmin registration district in Cornwall, England. Born in Lanlivery, Cornwall, England.
8. ↑ 1861 Census: "1861 England Census"
   Class: Rg 9; Piece: 1534; Folio: 46; Page: 28; GSU roll: 542827; ED, institution, or vessel: 10d; Household schedule number: 116
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 8767 #17736408 (accessed 28 April 2023)
   Mary Johns (80) head of household in Lostwithiel in Bodmin registration district in Cornwall, England. Born in Lanlivery, Cornwall, England.
9. ↑ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. Death date 09/05/1861, probate 25/05/1861. Proved at Bodmin by the oath of Johannah Campbell, wife of Edward Campbell, labourer of Lostwithiel, daughter and sole executor of Mary.