Sue

Of Course!

A member of our family undertook some research a while back. In the family there are or were two main key documents. The first is the family Bible presented to John Corkell by Oreston Steam Sawmill from the time when this Great Grandson of Thomas CORKIL was living in Plymstock area of Plymouth. John Corkell who married Thirza Elizabeth LINE was the son of William CORKELL and Elizabeth HONEYCHURCH of Penzance. William C was the son of John CORKIL (CORKELL KALKHILL) who had left IOM and married Anne PHILIPS in Madron in 1802.

The second document is a authenticated copy of aDeed of Settlement in the ownership of a living descendant. On Sept 4th 1810 John CORKIL's father Thomas made a settlement of land and property on "my eldest son and heir at law John CORKILL now residing in the town of Liverpool..." This was signed by John C as well as by Thomas and Hannah (nee CHRISTIAN) In July 1826 a legal copy was made of the original document at Castle Rushden and it is this copy that is in the possession of the family. This links Thomas CORKIL and John CORKIL (Kalkhill) to the John in Penzance and his descendents.

However there are some things that still need clarification. In 1810 John CORKILL was certainly living in Penzance so we suspect that his marriage outside of the island was kept quiet from his family as it would have been frowned on within the island community. The nature of his work as Fishermen/Mariner had probably both caused and enabled this to occur. The 1826 deed was probably made at time of Thomas CORKIL's death.

The other issue is that John had an elder brother Thomas (b 28 Apr 1771) The assumption made by the family member doing the orginal research is that Thomas must have died before 1810 otherwise he would have been the heir. He also had a brother James b 1775 and two sisters Margaert(married William QUALTROGH) who is referred to in the Settlemewnt Deed) and Isobel who is not (had she also died?)

I would like to know who the Thomas CORKHILL is who appears as coastguard at St Mawes Cornwall who is recorded as being born IOM with an age given that nearly coincides with John's brother. I wonder whether he may be related. Perhaps both brothers left the islad and both agreed not to take up their fathers settlement?

One other area that needs some further checking is that on 29 Jan 1792 a John CORKILL married Catherine COTTIER (both of Malew) John siged his name. If this is the same John he would have been 19. The marriage was by licence. When John KALKHILL married Anne PHILIPS there was no mention of John being a widower. We think that these are different people but it would be good to clarify this. Or was there another family somewhere - maybe Liverpool?

I hope this helps answer some of the questions but would be interested to hear from anyone who can shed some more light on the history.

Mark