John Harper of Luxulyan whose 1811 will was proved 1 Oct 1813

Research note by Wesley Johnston - begun 27 Sep 2022, last updated 28 Sep 2022

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/12365860/person/362418208719/media/5af17e19-3ec1-4232-bb71-f19ce36c39c7

Due to many possible errors of confusion of people of the same name, I am building out from the 1811 will of John Harper, using that as solid ground, and expanding that solid ground via additional records of those who are definitely his family.

Finding his wife: Ann HAWKEN

A crucial missing person is John's wife. She must have died before 20 Jul 1811 when he made out his will. But that is all that we know about her. Nevertheless, this rules out any potential wives who were still living 20 Jul 1811.

A key finding is that the only Ann Harper baptized between 1696 and 1784 anywhere in Cornwall (per the Cornwall Family History Society research database) was the Ann Harper who was the daughter of John Harper and wife Ann, baptized 23 Dec 1766 at Luxulyan.

A search for Luxulyan baptisms of John Harper and wife Ann finds exactly the five children named in the will.

A search of Cornwall marriages of John Harper and Ann finds only one between 1747/8 and 1796, and it is at Luxulyan: John Harper and Ann Hawken married 5 Jan 1762.

When He Died

When His Son John Died

While I am not yet certain, I think the evidence is very strong that the John Harper of Trenoweth in Luxulyan who was buried at Luxulyan 11 Mar 1829 at age 71 (thus born c 1758) is the John Harper who was the heir and executor of the John Harper who wrote the 20 Jul 1811 will. This is because Tenoweth is next to Challow, which the son John inherited in the will.