The Stephens Family

THOMAS STEPHENS was born around 1827 at WALKHAMPTON  and at the age of 23 was living at MOUNT PLEASANT COTTAGES  Walkhampton, (G.R.532 696) as per the 1851 Census,  employed in the Granite Quarries as a Labourer.

Shortly after that date he married ELIZABETH WORTH (born Walkhampton 1832, and 5 years his younger).

 In 1859 the family were still at Walkhampton when son Richard was born, at which time Thomas was working in the Tin Mines, which is, in fact, the occupation he followed for most of his life after he left the Granite Quarries.

The family then moved to SMITH HILL in the parish of Lydford and they were here at the times the next three children were born, being Zaccheus on 4th June 1865, AMELIA JANE on Valentines day 1869, and George in 1871.  The children were brought up in the Methodist tradition.

Thomas next turns up again on the 1881 Census,  as:-

STANNON. LYDFORD

THOMAS Stephens     Head    Married    54     Tin Miner  Walkhampton
ELIZABETH     Wife    Married    49               Walkhampton
Richard. H.W.          Son    Un.             22      Tin Miner  Walkhampton
Zachrious     Son    Un    15       Tin Miner  Lydford
MELIA     Dau    Un    12                 Lydford
George     Son    Un    10                 Lydford           
According to the Storey family of Haverigg (Melia's grandchildren),, Zac eventually looked after property for the Duchy of Cornwall.
They also confirm that AMELIA JANE was always referred to as Aunt MELIA.

Six years after the 1881 Census, at the age of 18, MELIA married HERBERT MILTON at Ashburton Methodist Church.  The marriage certificate gives her age, incorrectly, as 20.  At the time of her marriage MELIA gives her address as High Grove, Ashburton Parish, and it will be recalled that this is where Herbert had worked .  It is likely that they met when MELIA was in service in that area.