Barnard had two sons (we think!) Charles and James. There were no baptisms recorded for either and Barnard didn’t leave a traceable will which may have confirmed his children’s names. However there was only one Lanyon family at St Hilary at that time so it is likely that Charles and James were his sons.

Charles’ Sons

We don’t know when Charles was born, died or when he married. The baptism register of St Hilary states that his wife was called Margaret. We don’t even have conclusive proof that he was Barnard’s son but he did name his sons David, Francis and Thomas. David after Barnard’s father and Francis and Thomas after Barnard’s older brothers.

St Hilary parish register records that Charles Lanyon son of Charles was buried in 1683 and that probably places Charles’ birth in the 1660s. In 1687 there is a Charles Lalion baptised at St Hilary, father’s name not mentioned so he may be Charles’ son or James’ son or not a Lanyon at all.

Charles Lanyon 1687-

Initially I thought this Charles might have married Eleanor Nines at Perranuthoe in 1715 and couldn’t trace any children. Then I had a breakthrough. This Charles is likely the Charles Lanyon who married Grace Berteau at Falmouth in 1709. They had one son:

• Charles 1711-1762

Grace was buried in 1714. It’s possible that Charles married Eleanor Nines in 1715 and that the Eleanor Lanyon buried at Mylor in 1733 is his wife however I have a more likely candidate for his second wife – Ann Laurence. Charles Lanyon of Falmouth married Ann Laurence at Philleigh in 1718. Ann died a year later at Feock.

It appears that Charles married for a third time and whilst there is no trace of this marriage when Charles died intestate the administration papers mention his widow and relict Elizabeth. There are baptisms and burials listed in Falmouth for two daughters:

• Elizabeth -1723
• Elizabeth 1723-1724

There is a possible third daughter, Dorothy. In 1766 there was a Mrs Dorothy Lanyon (Mrs does not necessarily denote a woman is married, it is used to denote a gentlewoman) buried at Constantine. Could this be an unrecorded daughter of Charles?

It’s a bit confusing we have four wives and only one Charles Lanyon to go round!

David Lanyon 1693-1773

David was Charles’ younger brother, he was baptised at St Hilary in 1693 and he may be the David Lenine who married Elizabeth George at St Anthony in Meneage in 1716. The register describes them both as ‘of St Keverne’.

From this marriage there were three children traced:

• Willmott 1717 married Henry George at St Keverne in 1738
• Grace 1719 married Charles Pearce at St Keverne in 1745 – four children
• Margaret 1721 married Daniel Pearce

David was buried at St Keverne in 1773.

Francis Lanyon 1695-1770

Francis was baptised at St Hilary in 1695 and married Mary Michell there in 1735. Two children traced:

• Mary 1737- baptised at St Just in Penwith in 1737 married Nicholas Hockin in 1765
• Francis 1744- baptised at St Just in Penwith in 1744 and no further trace

Francis senior was buried at St Just in 1770 and Mary his wife in 1780

Thomas Lanyon 1697-1737

Thomas was baptised at St Hilary in 1697 and may be the Thomas Lanyon, mariner, of Boston, America who died on 7 Jan 1737. (Source ‘Brondson & Box Families Part 1’ by Lucius B Marsh.) Charles Lanyon merchant of Penzance was given power of attorney to sell his estate.

James’ Son

We know very little about James, we don’t know when he was born or died, we can’t even be sure he was Barnard Lanyon’s son. We do however know that he married Elizabeth Carbus at St Hilary in 1685. There were only two children traced so perhaps James died young. I think Elizabeth was buried at Breage in 1734 but that is just guess work.

• James 1686-1758
• Margaret 1690-1693 (name is spelt Lannion in the register of baptisms at Germoe) died in infancy.

Others have Elizabeth Carbus being buried in 1689 at Liskeard but that wouldn’t be possible with her daughter being born in 1690.

Germoe is near Praa Sands.

There is a James Lanyon buried at Germoe in 1727 and this may be Elizabeth Carbus’ husband.

The St Hilary branch of the family now rests with James Lanyon 1686-1758 and Mary Pearce, can his sons William and James keep the tree going?