Margaret Bray (1784-c1859)

According to the 1851 census for Cornwall, Margaret Bray was born in Kenwyn, Cornwall, England in 1784. She was baptised on 4th April 1784 in Gwennap, Cornwall, her parents recorded as Anthony and Hannah Bray (nee Moyle). Margaret was called by the name 'Peggy', and was her parents oldest child after their first daughter (also called Margaret) died in infancy. Her siblings were Mary and Anthony.

Marriage
Peggy married at aged 19 to John Long, who was also from the parish of Gwennap. The couple married in Gwennap on 30th September 1804, and witnesses to the marriage were a William Bray and George Moyle, both likely to be relations of Peggy. John signed his name on the register, and Peggy marked with a cross.

The couple settled in Gwennap and had 8 known children there. John is recorded against some of the baptisms as a miner, and on others as a labourer. They are recorded at St Day parish for the earlier births, but St Mary's is recorded as their parish for later baptisms.

1841 census
It is known that husband John died before the year 1841 as he is not listed in the 1841 census for Cornwall, and Peggy is listed as independent. She is recorded as aged 55 at Chappel Street, Gwennap, living with children Mary (aged 20) and James (aged 15). Where Peggy's independent source of income came from is unknown at this time. Son James is employed as a miner

1851 census
In 1851, Peggy is lodging with her son John and his family at Scorrier Street, Gwennap. She is listed as aged 68 and born in Kenwyn.

Death
Peggy is not located in the 1861 census, so it is assumed that she died before this date. The closest matching death date is one for the December quarter of 1859 in the Truro district, but a certificate has not been obtained at this stage to verify if this is correct. Son John had a daughter born very soon after this date, and she was named Margaret, possibly after his mother. If this death does match Peggy, she would have been approximately 75 years old at the time of her death and would have outlived her husband by 20 years.

Children

 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of John & Margaret Long
 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of John & Margaret Long