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St Stephen in Brannel |
The villages of interest in this parish are Whitemoor, Currian and Nanpean, in the heart of the china clay quarry pits, which have been worked for over 200 years-for more information have a look at the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum website.
Click Here to go to the website for the Online Parish Clerk covering this parish.
Below is Wheal Martyn Clay Pit, still being worked. This shows how the china clay industry has affected the landscape around the St. Austell area, note the spoil tip in the background, also typical of the area.
Below are views of the parish church
William BRAY married Rhoda Emily GEACH on 24 November 1913 at Timiskaming, Ontario, Canada. The location is very odd for their marriage
although the Ellis Island website has shown that William made 2 trips to Hancock, Michigan, USA
to work as a Miner in 1903 for 5 years and again in 1908 for an unspecified time.
William was born 13 February 1877 at Whitemoor
He was a Clay Labourer at the nearby china clay pits
He died 25 November 1943 at Falmouth, CON, buried at St. Austell, CON
Rhoda was known as Emily Rhoda and was born 19 February 1892
at Goss Moor, Roche, CON
Find her family under this link
In 1930 she went missing and was never seen again
Their children were
Emmeline BRAY born 21 December 1914
William BRAY [my grandfather] born 17 August 1917
For his marriage and family go to Cowley, OXF
Ethne BRAY born 1925
3 others still living
All born at Currian, CON
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Mary Ann BRAY was born 5 January 1849
According to family legend, she was due to marry Joseph JANE who died leaving her pregnant
She gave birth to William BRAY on 13 February 1877
In 1881, Mary Ann was a Domestic Servant in The Glebe House, Redruth, CON
William was living with his grandfather James JANE in Rhind St., Bodmin, CON, first real evidence of his father's identity
Find the Jane family under Bodmin,CON
Mary Ann never married
She died 10 June 1916 at St. Austell, and was buried there
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William BRAY married Fanny BEST at St. Stephens parish church on 19 July 1845
William was baptised 26 September 1819 at St. Dennis, CON
In 1841 he is a Clay Labourer living with his parents in Whitemoor
In 1851, and 1871, living in Whitemoor, he was a Clay Labourer
In 1881, still in Whitemoor, he is a Farmer of 8 Acres
Fanny's baptism is probably that recorded as Phyly BEST on 10 January 1816
Find her family under St. Stephen-BEST
In 1841 she is living in Old Pound with a Farmer, as a Farm Servant
Their children were
John BRAY born circa 1848
Mary Ann BRAY born 5 January 1849
William BRAY born circa 1850
Joseph BRAY born circa 1852
Richard BRAY born circa 1854
Sarah BRAY born circa 1858
Edwin BRAY born circa 1860
A Monumental inscription from Nanpean churchyard reads:-
In loving memory of William Bray of Whitemoor in this parish who died July 1st 1893 aged 73 years Also of Fanny his wife who died July 13th 1898 aged 83 years
The church and War Memorial at Nanpean
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William BRAY married Mary GRIGG, record not yet found
William was born circa 1790
He was a China Clay Labourer
In 1841 and 1851 they were living in Whitemoor
In 1851 all children, including girls, excepting the 3 youngest, were clay labourers
Mary was born circa 1798
Their children were
William BRAY baptised 26 September 1819
Johanna BRAY baptised 27 May 1821
Mary BRAY born circa 1823
Joseph BRAY baptised 14 March 1824
Edwin & Emma BRAY baptised 18 November 1827
Ann BRAY baptised 10 October 1831
Catherine BRAY baptised 13 October 1835
James BRAY born circa 1836
Jane BRAY born circa 1838
Elizabeth BRAY born 29 January 1839
John BRAY born circa 1842
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The following information needs verifying
Richard BEST married Mary ALLEN at St Stephens on 16 November 1799
There is the baptism of a Richard as an adult a few days before this on 9 November 1799-unusually it gives his parents as Abraham and Temperance
Fanny/Phyly's marriage certificate in 1845 states Richard was a Tinner-it doesn't say he was deceased, but the only Richard Best in the 1841 St Stephen census is a Miller married to Elizabeth, so he may in fact have died prior to 1841.
Their children were
Joseph BEST baptised 26 October 1800
William BEST baptised 20 March 1803
Sarah BEST baptised 5 May 1805
Betsy BEST baptised 9 August 1807
Phyly/Fanny BEST baptised 10 January 1816
For her marriage and family go to St Stephen-BRAY
All were baptised at St Stephens
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