Thomas was the eldest son of David Lanyon and Joan Shutford, he was born about 1620 but there is no record of his baptism. His father died in 1641 and his will suggests that Thomas is 21.
His father David bequeathed Thomas land that can be traced back to Richard Lanyon Esq and Margaret Treskillard.
‘Unto Thomas my sonne ye land belonging to Lanion Mill (adjoining Little Bosullow) after decease of my wife during the terme and time I have therein’
Thomas was a gentleman and yeoman. He married Elizabeth Jonnes at St Buryan in 1658. They had eight children:
- John 1659-1663 died in infancy
- Richard 1661-1720 married Margery Baynard – four children
- John 1663-1702 died unmarried but left a will which mentions his siblings: Richard, David, Thomas, Grace, Alice and Joan wife of Edmund Eva, Uncle Barnard and mother Elizabeth.
- David 1665-1744 married Margaret Shetford – five children
- Joane 1667-1745 married Edmund Eva – four children
- Grace 1669-aft. 1703 – no further trace
- Thomas 1672 – married Mary Edwards – four children
- Alice 1675-1705 married Richard Olivie – one son who lived for a day, Alice was buried eight days later so probably died of puerperal fever.
Thomas died in 1695 his estate was valued at £113 5/- and he left a will which mentions:
- Son Richard Lanyon of Sancret 2/- 6d and his daughter Grace 5/-
- Third son David
- Eldest son Thomas
- Daughter Jane £40
- Daughter Alice
- Brother Barnard, large chest , woolen clothes
- wife Elizabeth and son John executors
- His son David and daughters were to have meat and drink and lodging at my house at Bolanken
The church wardens account at St Buryan lists the following properties connected to the Lanyons:
- Treviddron – held by Mr Charles Lanyon between 1690-1700 and up to 1711. Charles left the Parish in 1711 and the property passed to Mr Henry Davies.
- Bolanken – In 1693 in the possession of Thomas lanyon, by 1699 it was in the possession of William Lanyon and remained there until 1703 when possession was transferred to Paynter.
- Treve – In possession of John Lanyon in 1699 and is again mentioned in 1702. By 1703 it was in Thomas Lanyon’s possession and it remained there until 1711.
- Cardinney – In 1734 David lanyon held Cardinney as far back as 1711 it was listed as belonging to Robert Shutford and David Lanyon jointly.
- The rector comments that the social status of these Lanyons in the parish in the 17th and 18th centuries was that of gentlemen and non-working farm owners.
Richard Lanyon 1661-1720
Richard was the eldest surviving son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jonnes, he was baptised at St Buryan in 1661. He married Margery Baynard at Sancreed in 1688. They had four children:
- Richard 1686-1687 died in infancy
- Thomas 1690-1693 died in infancy
- Grace 1693-1777 married William Mason of St Just in 1715 and they had five children
- Thomas 1695-1737 or 1738 married Mary Rowe – eight children
Richard died in 1720 and left a detailed will:
Partial transcript:
- Parish of St Burian 5/-
- Wife Margery £5 and bedroom furniture in hall chamber in Trovean and other furniture, brass pots and pewter marked with the letters MB belonging to her before marriage
- Son-in-law William Mason, St Just
- To daughter Grace, wife of William Mason, hanging press in Trevean (sic)
- To granddaughters Mary and Grace the daughters of Thomas Lanyon £5
- To granddaughters Mary and Joan Mason
- All the rest to son Thomas
David Lanyon 1665-1744
David was mentioned specifically in his father Thomas’ will of 1696 ‘to have meat and drink and lodging in my house at Bosanken’. It seems strange to put that in a will and not mention his other brothers. David married Margaret Shetford at Sancreed in 1695, had there been a family falling out? Did they expect David to need board and lodging?
David was a yeoman of Cardinney, St Buryan. According to the church warden’s accounts David owned this house jointly with Robert Shetford, Margaret’s father.
David and Margaret had five children:
- John 1696-1751 married Ann Hicks – seven children
- Elizabeth 1697-1779 married William Hutchens – four children
- Robert 1699-1700 died in infancy
- Mary 1701- married John Vingoe – three children
- Richard 1702-1766 married Grace Phillips – four children
Thomas Lanyon 1672-
Thomas was the youngest son of Thomas and Elizabeth yet his father’s will calls him the eldest! He lived at the Tenement of Kerrow and was called a gentleman. He married Mary Edwards at St Buryan in 1703. They had four children:
- Isabella 1703- possible marriage in 1738 at Madron to Thomas Teague?
- Francis 1704-1705 died in infancy
- Jane 1706- married John Inch at St Buryan in 1728 no further trace
- Francis 1708- no further trace
We’ll follow this family in the post ‘Thomas Lanyon’s Grandsons’.
The Lanyons 