Many thanks, Kay, for that wealth of information which contributes to an interesting narrative.
Thomas Cowling and Joanna Reynolds had a daughter, Josepha, a twin in St Agnes in 1795. They had a second Josepha in Mary Tavy, Devon, in 1802. Thomas died in Mary Tavy in 1817. News of his excursion into. Wales has come as a complete surprise.
In 1841 "Hannah" Cowling has living with children Elizabeth (13) and John (9) Eliss (sic). I have identified them as the children of John Ellis and Elizabeth Cowling, baptised Llanfairarybryn 1828 and 1832. Is it usual for Welsh baptism records to show the mother's maiden name or does this indicate that they were not married?
In 1851 Hannah is living as mother-in-law in the house of her daughter, Elizabeth, wife of David Rees. I can see no obvious record of a David Rees/Elizabeth Ellis marriage, but there is one between David Rees/ Eliza Cowling 29 Nov 1839. Cilycwm, Carms. Would a widow be identified by her maiden name on re-marriage?
Also in 1851 Hannah has living with her Mary Ann Cowling, 45, unmarried sister in law to David Rees. I suspect this is a child from her former marriage but could be Mary, born Mary Tavy, daughter of Thomas and Joanna.
I have not been able to identify Thomas (1792). No match born Cornwall 1790-94. The closest I can find is Thomas(bapt. 1797), nephew of Thomas the elder.
Thomas and Joanne had a son, Philip, named after Joanna's father, born 1792. Thomas (1792) who probably married Jane Floyd, 1825, Llanfairarybryn also had a son, Philip (1833-50). I have come across the name Philip nowhere else in this branch of the tree. I'm not quite sure what to make of that.
