Family
 Margaret Hopper 1) 2)Daughter of Robert Hopper and Ann Bond. Born 1 Mar 1795 Hartland, Devon, England 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Baptised 19 Apr 1795 Hartland, Devon, England 8) Died 8 Feb 1866 Hartland, Devon, England, 70 years 4) 7) 9) Buried 11 Feb 1866 Hartland, Devon, England 9) 7) Occupation: 1851; Ag Labourer Wife 5) Residence: between 1841 and 1861 Ball Hill, Hartland, Devon, England 6) 5) 3)  Francis Cory 1) 2)Son of Francis Cory and Margaret Unknown. Born between 1786 and 1791 Woolfardisworthy, Devon, England 12) 13) 14) 3) 15) 9) Died 27 Feb 1870 Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 13) 15) 9) Buried 2 Mar 1870 Hartland, Devon, England 15) 9) Occupations: between 1815 and 1823 Hartland, Devon, England; Labourer 1) 11), between 1841 and 1851; Labourer 12) 14), 1861; Farm Labourer 3) Residences: between 1841 and 1861 Ball Hill, Hartland, Devon, England 12) 3), 1851 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, Devon, England 14) Notes: "Many elderly people remember Mr. Francis Cory and his wife, Margaret, living at West Ballhill, just below Devil's Corner. They attended Harton Independent Chapel regularly. There was a son, William, but as far as we can discover, he must have died years ago. Mr. F. Cory used to be remarked as a wonderfully neat and clean man, 'fit at any time to go straight from the stone-heap where he worked to Church.'" Hartland and West Country Chronicle, 26 Feb 1816. 'Her father, Francis Cory, was a farm labourer in receipt of only five shillings a week wages, and yet he managed to bring up four children, one son and three daughters. He was billeted out for the winter with one farmer or another.' The Devonian Yearbook, 1916. Children: 1. Sarah Cory 16) 17) 18)Born 26 Feb 1816 Hartland, Devon, England Born at Buckland Farm 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 16) 26) 1) Baptised 24 Mar 1816 Hartland, Devon, England 1) Died 20 Feb 1918 52 Richards Terrace, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales 23) Buried 23 Feb 1918 Cardiff, Wales Interred at Cardiff Cemetery Feb 23rd Section X., no. 42. 23) Occupation: between 1825 and 1837; Apprenticed to Thomas Johns at Brownsham Farm 27) Residences: 1841 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 16), between 1851 and 1871 Woolley, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 19) 22) 20), 1881 Eastcott, Morwenstow, Cornwall, England 21), 1891 51 Elm Street, Roath, Glamorgan, Wales 24), 1901 146 Arran Street, Roath, Glamorgan, Wales 25), 2 Apr 1911 9 Upper Kingcraig Street, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales 26) Notes: Sarah Downing, being Cardiff's only centenarian had numerous articles written about her. In the year of her centenary the Western Times said the following: "Tomorrow will be the hundredth birthday of Mrs Downing, of 52 RIchards-terrace, Roath. Many happy returns of the day to the dear old lady. Mrs Downing was born on February 26th 1816, at Beckland, Harland and now resides with her daughter, Sarah Harding. A few days ago we had the opportunity of meeting this remarkable old lady at her home, and found her most ready and willing to engage in a quiet chat. Though her sight is naturally little defective and her hearing somewhat dull, she is nevertheless quite happy and takes no little interest in passing events. Her memory also is wonderful. It carries her back to the days when her father had only five shillings a week to keep himself and four little ones. And she remembers the time when he used to be billeted out for the winter on some farm or other. There were no school attendance officers in those days and so, when Sarah was nine, her father ran no risk in having her bound parish apprentice at Brownsham Farm. It may be that the strenuous open air life of those days explains her longevity. Sarah stayed on the Brownsham farm until she was a romping ruddy faced lass of one and twenty. On attaining her majority she removed to Woolley, near Mornwestow, Cornwall, and there Cupid began to weave a tale. It seems but yesterday to the grand old lady since the joyful day in March of 1837, when she promised to love, honour, and obey John Downing, of that parish. That chapter of felicity continued unbroken until 1890, when death came and closed the book. After her husband's passing, Mrs Downing removed to Cardiff, and there she has since remained. THOUGHTS OF HOME But though she is many miles from her native village it became apparent, as we talked with her, that her mind often wanders back to Devon. Still she speaks of the Brownsham farm days and of how they used to go via Newberry Hill to Hartland Church, and heading the "butifulst" bells ring from the old tower. There was then only one carriage driven to church - that from the Abbey. And the impressions of fifty years at Morwenstow have naturally a very prominent place in her thoughts. The name of Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman. In common, however with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was identified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages (Eastcott). She knows nothing of United Methodists to-day, but she is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister. "Yes," she said, "our ministers at home were good men, and they were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard. Journeys in the circuit were very long, and difficulties very many, but that always seemed happy and were read to sing and shout for joy." Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard (sneior) were among the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours. Mrs Downing speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive," she said, "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always." There are times when she grows just a bit weary, and then she finds herself longing for "Home," but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best. When He wants me He will send for me, and then, I shall be quite ready to go." Mrs Downing is still hale and hearty, able to get about and reads a newspaper every day. A hundred milestones on the highway of Life. They span a long and tortuous journey. May the old lady's last few miles be pleasant ones to tread." Devon Yearbook the following: "Earlier in the year, on February 26th, another native of Devon attained her hundredth birthday. This was Mrs. Sarah Downing, who was borin in 1816 at Beckland, in the parish of Hartland, and now lives with her daughter (Mrs Harding) at Roath, Cardiff. Although she cannot get out of door, she is able to move without aid. Her only infirmities are deafness and defective sight; otherwise she is well and hearty, and bears but little indication of her years. Her father, Francis Cory, was a farm labourer in receipt of only five shillings a week wages, and yet he managed to bring up four children, one son and three daughters. "He was billeted out for the winter with one farm or another." Sarah was baptized on March 24th 1816, by the Rev. William Chanter who himself lived to the age of 92, and, when she was 9 years old, she was bound parish apprentice at Brownsham Farm until she was twenty-one. She remembers going up Newberry Hill on her way to church, and hearing the "beautifullest" bells ring from the old tower; they were then new, having been recast in 1826. The only "carriage folks" who attended the church came from Hartland Abbey. On attaining her majority she moved to Wooley, in the adjoining parish of Morwenstow, and on March 26th 1837, she was married by the eccentric vicar, the Rev. R. S. Hawker, to John Downing, a farm labourer of that parish. During the half-century and more that she lived in Morwenstow, she was connected with the sect of dissenters then known as the "Bible Christians" but now incorporated in the "United Methodist Church." Since the death of her husband, in 1890, she has lived in Cardiff with two of her children, but prior to that date she had never, so far as she recollects, travelled by railway, for her home was eight miles from the nearest railway station. Altogether she has had six children, three of whom are still alive. There are thirty-seven grandchildren, a very large number of great-grandchildren and two or three great-great-grandchildren, making up five generations - a truly remarkable family." A similar article appeared in a Cardiff magazine, also in that year, probably based on the same interview: "Mrs Downing who lives with her daughter, Mrs Harding, at 52 Richards Terrace, Roath, Cardiff, was born on February 26th, 1816 at Hartland, North Devon, so that by the time this month is out she will have passed her hundreth year. We saw this remarkable old lady in her home a few days since and found her most ready and willing to engage in conversation. Her sight is defective and hearing somewhat dull, but apart from these drawbacks, she appeared wonderfully well, and manifested no little interest ih passing events. When about 20 years of age, on the occasion of her marriage, she removed from Hartland to Morwenstow, North Cornwall, where she resided for more than 50 years. The name Morwenstow at once reminded us of the celebrated Hawker, the eccentric and clever Vicar of that remote parish, and Mrs Downing was delighted to recall her early association with this world-famed clergyman. In common. however, with the majority of the West Country folk, her inclinations were away from the Anglican Church towards Methodism, and consequently for long years she was indentified with the people called "Bible Christians" in one of the neighbouring villages [Eastcott]. She knows nothing of United Methodists of today,but is pleased at any time to have a talk with a "Bible Christian" minister. "Yes" she said "our ministers at home were good men, and were greatly beloved by the people. They had to work very hard, journeys in the circuit were often long, and difficulties very many, but they always seemed happy and were ready to sing and shout for joy". Samuel Crocker, Thomas Woolridge, William Courtice and Samuel Pollard(senior) were amongst the many who made a deep impression on the religious life of the neighbourhood, and Mrs Downing speaks in highest praise of their labours. Our aged friend came to Cardiff to reside with her son a quarter of a century ago, and was then regarded as being in a somewhat feeble state. There are two sons and a daughter (Mrs Harding) living, the eldest of the family reside in America, and is fast approaching his 80th year, but to his mother he is still "my boy in America".She speaks in gratified terms of all the love that is showered upon her. "I receive" she said "nothing but love and kindness, God has been very good to me, Jesus is with me always". There are time when she grows just a bit weary, and then finds herself longing for "Home", but she is not impatient. "The Lord knows best, when He wants me He will send for me, and then I shall be quite ready to go"." 2. Ann CoryBorn ± 1819 Hartland, Devon, England 3. Margaret CoryBorn ± 1823 Hartland, Devon, England | |||
Sources
1) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Sarah daughr of Francis, labourer of Hartland, and Margaret Cory, baptized 24th March 1816". Reference: Hartland (Data from direct source)2) Source: Hartland and West Country Chronicle "The names of her two sisters were Margaret and Anne...She had a brother named William who died at Hartland... her mother's maiden name was Hopper, and her Grandfather's name was Robert Hopper. He lived at Cheristow and owned two houses there, but both were burnt down. She thinks that her grandmother's name was Bond... Francis's father's name was also Francis as well as she can remember, but she did not know much about them. John Downing, the old lady's husband, was a labourer, and worked many years for Parson Hawker.". Reference: No 234 Page 6 (Data from direct source)
3) Source: 1861 England Census Record for Frank Cory. Reference: Database online. Class: RG9; Piece: 1505; Folio: 17; Page: 27; GSU roll: 542823. (Data from secondary evidence)
4) Source: England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915 Record for Margaret Cory. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
5) Source: 1851 England Census Record for Margaret Cory. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece: 1895; Folio: 563; Page: 13; GSU roll: 221046. (Data from secondary evidence)
6) Source: 1841 England Census Record for Margaret Cory. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece 223; Book: 5; Civil Parish: Hartland; County: Devon; Enumeration District: 3; Folio: 4; Page: 3; Line: 14; GSU roll: 241312. (Data from secondary evidence)
7) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Margaret Cory, Hartland, Feby 11th 1866, 70, JH Chope". Reference: Hartland (Data from secondary evidence)
8) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Margaret, Daughter of Robert + Ann Hopper Apr 19 1795". Reference: Hartland (Data from secondary evidence)
9) Source: Hartland and West Country Chronicle "The following entries are found in her family bible:-Francis Cory [her father] born 1790Francis Cory, died at Morwenstow Feb.27 1870" " buried at Hartland Mar.2, 1870Margaret [her mother] born March 1st, 1795" " died Feb 8th, 1866" " buried Feb., 11th 1866Sarah, daughter of Francis and Margaret Cory Born [at Beckland] Feb. 26, 1816". Reference: No. 232 Page 9 (Data from secondary evidence)
10) Source: England, Pallot's Marriage Index, 1780-1837 Record for Francis Cory. Reference: Database online.
11) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Francis Cory of this parish Labourer and Margaret Hopper of this parish Spinster were married in this church by Banns with Consent of Parents this ninth day of March in the Year One thousand eight hundred and fifteen by me W Chanter MrThis marriage was solemnized by us The Mark of Francis Cory, The Mark of Margaret HopperIn the presence of Samuel Cloutman, Thos Pillman". Reference: Hartland
12) Source: 1841 England Census Record for Francis Cory. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece 223; Book: 5; Civil Parish: Hartland; County: Devon; Enumeration District: 3; Folio: 4; Page: 3; Line: 13; GSU roll: 241312. (Data from direct source)
13) Source: England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915 Record for Francis Cory. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
14) Source: 1851 England Census Record for Francis Cory. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece: 1892; Folio: 134; Page: 10; GSU roll: 221043. (Data from direct source)
15) Source: England, Devon Parish Registers "Francis Cory, Morwenstow, March 2nd 1870, aged 83". Reference: Hartland (Data from secondary evidence)
16) Source: 1841 England Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece 151; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Moorwinstow; County: Cornwall; Enumeration District: 6; Folio: 17; Page: 4; Line: 19; GSU roll: 241273. (Data from secondary evidence)
17) Source: Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964 Record for John Downing. External Link
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=5164&h=600980379&indiv=try. Reference: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 082001-085000 (Data from direct source)
18) Source: Available Birth, Marriage and Death Records. Reference: John Downing birth record (Data from direct source)
19) Source: 1851 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: HO107; Piece: 1897; Folio: 39; Page: 13; GSU roll: 221048. (Data from secondary evidence)
20) Source: 1871 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG10; Piece: 2214; Folio: 55; Page: 10; GSU roll: 834867. (Data from secondary evidence)
21) Source: 1881 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG11; Piece: 2269; Folio: 61; Page: 9; GSU roll: 1341545. (Data from secondary evidence)
22) Source: 1861 England Census Record for John Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG9; Piece: 1512; Folio: 62; Page: 5; GSU roll: 542824. (Data from secondary evidence)
23) Source: England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
24) Source: 1891 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
25) Source: 1901 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. Class: RG13; Piece: 4973; Folio: 41; Page: 19. (Data from secondary evidence)
26) Source: 1911 Wales Census Record for Sarah Downing. Reference: Database online. (Data from secondary evidence)
27) Source: Hartland Parish Registers APPRENTICE: Sarah Cory, aged 9 years, MASTER and ESTATE: Thomas JohnsDate: 1825. Reference: 1201A/PO 456 (Data from direct source)