French Prisoners Deaths in Cornish Parish Registers

[Sandgroper]

I have discovered, while researching my family, an extraordinary large amount of French deaths in the parish registers for St Gluvias, Cornwall. The main years are 1747 and 1756. I understand that prisoners were taken during failed invasion attempts of England.

I should imagine that these prisoners were put to death by their English captors but I'm wondering what the reasoning is behind having their deaths written in the registers. Was it law or was it just normal practice to do so? Can anyone shed some light on the practice for me? Many thanks.

http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/burials_french_cornwall.pdf

[giggsycat]

Hi

Something interesting here about the French Neutrals.

http://www.mwlandry.ca/penryn.htm

It seems that most died of Smallpox.

Giggsy

[Sandgroper]

Thanks Giggsy for the link.  A great find! I'm finding it fascinating finding out about the times my ancestors lived in. The outside world seems to have had a big influence on such a small place.

Cheers
Jenny (Western Australia)

[philipsearching]

I should imagine that these prisoners were put to death by their English captors

Possible, but I wouldn't have thought so.  Conditions in the prison camps in the Napoleonic era were awful - poor accommodation, lack of sanitation, poor diet and so forth.  Also, many prisoners gambled away food and clothing.  It's more likely that most deaths were the result of infected injuries, disease or malnutrition.

"Time Team" did a dig at the camp at Norman Cross - fascinating viewing (it's probably on youtube)

[Sandgroper]

Thanks for the reply, philipsearching, it's most informative. I've managed to find the Time Team dig for Norman Cross on youtube and look forward to viewing it. I love RootsChat because of the knowledge that everyone is so eager to share. Thanks again.

[hanes teulu]

The Derby Mercury, 24th April 1847
Penryn in Cornwall, April 20
"Yesterday was bro't into this Harbour, by the Amazon and Speedwell, the Mary Magdalen Privateer of St Malo, taken by Admiral Anson's Fleet the 9th instant, off Scilly .....; she mounts 26 Guns, 22 nine pounders, on one Deck, and has 304 Men on board. Last night about 80 Men, Part of the Crew of the Lark, Privateer of Bayonne, which was taken the 14th Inst, off Ushant, were delivered to the Commissary here, but the Privateer is not as yet brought in."

[Sandgroper]

Thank you. Something else to ponder.