Richard Bettes (c1737-1793)

The origins of Richard Bettess and the names of his parents and siblings are currently unknown.

It should be noted that the surname 'Bettes' has many alternative spellings, including 'Bettis', 'Bettiss', 'Bettess, 'Bettess', 'Bettiss' and 'Bettys'. The spelling 'Bettes' is the form most commonly associated with Richard and his family.

Marriage
Richard married Martha Gibbs on the 2nd December 1762 by Banns in the parish church at Lewannick, Cornwall. Martha's parents were John and Elizabeth Gibbs (nee Nickals) of East Newlyn, and the bride was aged 25 at the marriage. Witnesses to the marriage were John Bennett and Thomas Jeffrey, and both bride and groom signed the register.

The couple initially settled in Lewannick and had 4 children baptised there. Another child, their fourth, was baptised in Altarnun, and the remaining three children were all baptised in Trewen. It is interesting to note that when one of their daughters had children, she two would have one of them baptised at Altarnun, while the remainder were baptised in Trewen.

Death of Son
Richard and Martha would lose their youngest son James when he was only 3 years old. He was buried in Trewen on 14th December 1784.

Witness to Daughter's Marriage
When eldest daughter Elizabeth married on the 24th February 1789, a 'Richard Bettes' was one of the witnesses. It has not been determined at this stage whether this is her brother, or her father acting as the witness.

Death
Richard was buried in Trewen on the 26th May 1793. His wife Martha would outlive him by 25 years.

Children

 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Richard and Martha Bettes
 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Richard and Martha Bettes