Robert Lean (1729 - 1811)

Born 1729 in Blisland, Cornwall, England

Ancestors

Husband of Esther Hawken — married 1758 in St Breward, Cornwall, England

Descendants

Died 1811 at about age 82 in Trehudreth, Blisland, Cornwall, England

Biography

Robert Lean was baptized in the parish of Blisland,^[1] Cornwall, on 23 August 1729 (which was 12 August 1729 by the "old style" calendar used in England before 1752).^[2] The minister who recorded the event in the parish register had a fondness for using abbreviations, recording Robert's name as Robt and representing his father's name by symbols roughly like +◦. At least his mother's name, Gunnett, and the surname, Lean, were written in full.‍^[3]‍^[4]

It looks as though the same parents had a daughter baptized on 4 February 1732 (or 24 January 1731 old style). According to the Blisland parish register, Rebeccah daughter of Cris: and Gunnet Lane was baptized on 24 January 1731,^[5] while the bishop's transcripts say that Rebecca daughter of Christopher and Gunnet Lean was baptized on 24 January 1731.^[6]

Since Gunnet is a distinctive name, we can safely conclude that +◦ stood for Christopher.

Gunnet's maiden surname was Hoskyn. The marriage of +◦ Lean and Gunnett Hoskyn took place in Blisland on 6 January 1728 (or 26 December 1727 old style).‍^[7]‍^[8]

Note that traditionally in Cornwall the name Lean was pronounced the way the word lane is currently pronounced. So the spelling of Rebeccah's surname in the baptism register is understandable.

Robert Lean had at least six siblings: Rebecca (baptized 4 February 1732), Christopher (baptized 23 June 1737),‍^[9]‍^[10] Alice (baptized 23 October 1740),‍^[9]‍^[11] John (baptized 27 April 1745),‍^[12]‍^[13] Mary (baptized 10 May 1750)‍^[14]‍^[15] and Elizabeth (baptized 27 February 1754).^[16]‍^[17]

Banns of marriage between Robert Lean of Blisland and Ann Cottel of St Tudy^[18] were published in Blisland on 16 May, 13 June and 20 June 1756.^[19] It is unclear whether or not they were actually married, since there seems to be no record of them marrying at either Blisland or St Tudy. But since there is no record of any marriages in St Tudy in 1856 or 1857, it could be that some marriage records were lost or that some marriages went unrecorded.‍^[20]‍^[21]

Banns of marriage between Robert Lean of Blisland and Esther Hawken of Symon Ward were published in Blisland on the 10th, 17th and 24th of September 1758.^[22] Simonward is an alternative name for the parish St Breward,^[23] which is adjacent to Blisland.

When bride and groom were from different parishes, the banns had to be published in both parishes; in most cases the marriage then took place in the bride's home parish. Although the relevant records from St Breward have been lost, we can be confident that Esther Hawken and Robert Lean were married in St Breward in 1758.

Robert and Esther Lean had nine children, all baptized in Blisland:

• Christopher, baptized 26 August 1759,^[24]
• Mary, baptized 3 May 1761,^[24]
• Rebecca, baptized 8 January 1764,^[25]
• John, baptized 19 January 1766,^[25]
• Esther, baptized 6 March 1768,^[26]
• Elizabeth, baptized 6 May 1770,^[26]
• Robert, baptized 27 September 1772,^[26]
• Richard, baptized 16 July 1775,^[27]
• Benjamin, baptized 28 September 1778.^[28]

Robert Lean's name appears in Land Tax Assessment records from 1798 for the parish of Blisland: document reference IR 23/9/77 at the National Archives.^[29] A digitized copy of the record is available on Ancestry.com.

In fact Robert Lean, Robert Lean junr and Christopher Lean are all mentioned as occupiers of land for which Sir John Morshead^[30] was the proprietor. The land occupied by Robert was assessed at £2 16s. 3d., the two pieces of land occupied by Robert junr were assessed at 18s. 9d. and £1 17s. 6., and there was a total assessment of £13 10s. 3d. for the fifteen pieces of land occupied by Christopher.

In the context of Blisland these assessments were quite large, and no doubt indicate that the Leans had leasehold possession of farms of a substantial size.

An Esther Lean was buried in Blisland on 14 January 1810.^[31] Although the burial record does not give the age of the deceased, it seems likely that she was Robert's wife. The only other obvious candidate would be their daughter Esther, but it is believed that she married Edward Lean in Blisland on 16 December 1815,^[32] and was buried in Blisland on 14 March 1816, aged 48.^[33]

Robert Lean was buried in Blisland on 9 November 1811.^[34]

Robert Lean's will is freely available online via a FamilySearch film. It was composed on 26 January 1805 and proved on 21 October 1815.‍^[35]‍^[36] A transcription is included below.

The will mentions Robert's wife Hester, his daughters Mary Billing, Rebecca Worden and Hester Lean, and his sons Christopher, Benjamin, Richard and Robert Lean. Presumably his son John and daughter Elizabeth died before Robert made his will.

Robert's wife Esther also made a will, and a transcription of it is included in her profile. It was composed on 24 November 1809 and proved on 9 July 1810, and mentions the same sons and daughters as Robert's will mentions (except that Esther's will calls the youngest daughter Esther rather than Hester).‍^[37]‍^[38]

Robert Lean's will

The last Will and Testament of me Robert Lean of the Parish of Blisland in the County of Cornwall Yeoman
I give devise and bequeath unto my dear Wife Hester and her Assigns during the term of her natural life one Annuity or clear yearly Rent charge of twenty five Pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain clear of all deductions whatsoever the same to be paid by equal quarterly Payments at the four most usual Feasts or Days of Payment in the Year hereinafter mentioned that is to say, Lady day Midsummer Day Michaelmas Day and Christmas Day, the first payment to begin and be made on such of the said Feasts or Days as shall next happen after my decease And I do hereby charge and make liable for the payment of the same my Estate called Trehudreth in the Parish of Blisland aforesaid and in case the said Annuity or clear Yearly Rent charge of twenty five Pounds or any part thereof shall be behind and unpaid by the space of thirty Days next after any or either of the said Feasts or Days hereinbefore appointed for payment thereof and whereon the same ought to be paid as aforesaid then and so often from time to time as it shall so happen it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Wife and her Assigns into and upon all or any part of my said Estate charged with the said annuity as aforesaid to enter and distrain and the Distress and Distresses then and there found to detain impound and keep or otherwise dispose of as in cases of Rent reserved on common Demises until thereby or therewith or otherwise the said Annuity or clear Yearly Rent charge of twenty five Pounds and all arrears thereof (if any) and all Costs and Charges from time to time attending such Distress shall be fully paid and satisfied And I do hereby direct and declare that the said Annuity or clear yearly Rent charge so hereby given to my said Wife and her Assigns is so given to her in full recompence satisfaction and bar of all Dower and title of Dower and thirds at the common Law which my said Wife can or may claim or be entitled to of into or out of any Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments or Premises whereon or wherein I now am or at the time of my decease shall be seized of or for any Estate of Inheritance
I also give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife and her Assigns during the term of her natural life one other annuity or clear Yearly Rent charge of five Pounds of like lawful Money clear of all deductions whatsover and payable in like manner as the aforesaid annuity of twenty five pounds so given to my said Wife as aforesaid And I do hereby charge and make liable for the payment of the said Annuity or clear Yearly Rent charge of five pounds My Estates and Premises called Tipton and Bull Hills in the Parish of Saint Kew in the said County and in case of nonpayment of the said Annuity or clear Yearly Rent charge of five pounds or any part thereof for the space of thirty days next after any or either of the days whereon the same ought to be paid then and so often from time to time as it shall so happen I do hereby give my said Wife the like power of distraining for the same and all arrears thereof (if any) on my said Estate and Premises called Tipton and Bull Hills as I have given her for distraining the said Annuity of twenty five Pounds all arrears thereof (if any) on my Estate of Trehudreth aforesaid.
I also give and bequeath to my said wife during the tem of her natural life one Bedroom properly furnished in the dwelling house on my Estate of Trehudreth and a sufficient quantity of Milk for her use
I also give and devise to my Son Christopher Lean All that Messuage Tenement and Premises called or known by the name or names of Tipton and Bull Hills aforesaid together with all usual Ways Waters and other Appurtenances to the said Premises belonging or appertaining or held or enjoyed therewith To hold to him the said Christopher Lean his heirs and Assigns forever Subject to and charged and Chargeable with the said Annuity of five Pounds to my said Wife and to the several Powers and remedies given and provided for the securing and receiving the same.
I also give devise and bequeath to my Son Benjamin Lean All that my Messuage and Tenement called Richards Penstrode situate lying and being in the Village and Fields of Penstrode in the Parish of Blisland aforesaid and also all that my other Tenement called Little Penstrode also situate in the aforesaid Village and Fields & now in possession of my Son Christopher Lean together with all rights Members and appurtenances to the said two several Tenements belonging or appertaining To hold the said two Tenements to him the said Benjamin Lean his Executors Administrators and Assigns for the residues of the terms I have therein
I also give devise and bequeath to my said son Benjamin all that Messuage and Tenement called Lower Pennant situate within the Village and Fields of Pennant in the Parish of Blisland aforesaid together with its rights Members and Appurtenances To hold to him the said Benjamin Lean his Executors Administrators and Assigns for the residue of the term I have therein
I also give devise and bequeath to my Son Richard Lean All that my Moiety or halfendeal divided or to be divided of and in all that Tenement and Premises with the appurtenances called Kestle's Tenement situate in Chapel Amble in the Parish of Saint Kew aforesaid and now in possession of Thomas Grose To hold to him the said Richard Lean his Heirs and Assigns forever But subject to and charged and chargeable with the Annuity or clear Rent charge of five pounds hereinafter given to my Daughter Mary the Wife of Edward Billing and to the several Powers and remedies given and provided for the securing and receiving the same
I also give devise and bequeath to my said Son Richard the Sum of five shillings
I also give devise and bequeath to my said daughter Mary the Wife of Edward Billing and her Assigns during the term of her natural life the before mentioned Annuity of five Pounds clear of all deductions whatsoever and for the true payment of which I have already made my Moiety or halfendeal of Kestle's Tenement in Chapel Amble aforesaid chargeable And I do hereby order and direct that the said Annuity shall become payable and paid at the days and times and in like manner as the annuities before hereby given to my said Wife and I do hereby give my said Daughter the like powers and authority of distraining for the same on the Premises made chargeable for the payment thereof fully and effectually as I have given my said Wife in case of nonpayment of her annuities at the Days and times before mentioned
I also give and bequeath to my said Daughter Mary the sum of One hundred Pounds
I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Rebecca the Wife of William Worden the sum of One hundred Pounds
I also give to my daughter Hester Lean the sum of three hundred Pounds
And I also will and direct that all my pecuniary Legacies hereby given and bequeathed shall be paid by my Executor hereinafter named within twelve months after my decease
And as for and concerning all the rest and residue of my Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and premises and all my parts and shares of Messuages, Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises both Freehold and Leasehold either in possession reversion remainder or expectancy not hereinbefore disposed of and all my Goods Chattels and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever not hereinbefore disposed of I give devise and bequeath to my son Robert Lean his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns forever subject nevertheless to my just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses and to the several powers and directions hereinbefore made And I do hereby make nominate and appoint my said Son Robert Lean Sole Executor of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills by me made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Robert Lean the Testator have herewith set my hand and seal this twenty sixth Day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five.

Sources

1. ↑ Blisland: information from GENUKI.
2. ↑ Old Style and New Style dates: Wikipedia article.
3. ↑ Robt Lean, 12 August 1729 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 4 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (2nd page in the image, 2nd line from bottom.)
4. ↑ Robt Lean, 12 August 1729 (old style): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 115 of 856.
5. ↑ Rebeccah Lane, 24 January 1731 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 5 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (1st page in the image, 5th line from bottom.)
6. ↑ Rebecca Lean, 24 January 1731 (old style): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 117 of 856.
7. ↑ Christopher Lean and Gunnett Hoskyn, 26 December 1727 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 23 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
8. ↑ Christopher Lean and Gunnett Hoskyn, 26 December 1727 (old style): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 112 of 856.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Christopher Lean, 12 June 1737 (old style), Alice Lane 12 October 1740 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 6 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (3rd baptism in 1737, 6th in 1740.)
10. ↑ Christopher Lean, 12 June 1737 (old style): Exeter Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 005748324, image 9 of 60.
11. ↑ Alice Lane 12 October 1740 (old style): Exeter Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 005748324, image 12 of 60.
12. ↑ John Lean, 16 April 1745 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 7 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (1st baptism in 1745)
13. ↑ John Lean, 16 April 1745 (old style): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 127 of 856.
14. ↑ Mary Lean, 29 April 1750 (old style): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 8 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (2nd baptism in 1750)
15. ↑ Mary Lean, 29 April 1750 (old style): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 134 of 856.
16. ↑ Elizabeth Lean, 27 February 1754): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 9 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth. (2nd baptism in 1754.)
17. ↑ Elizabeth Lean, 27 February 1754): Bodmin Bishop's Transcripts for Blisland, FamilySearch film # 004023179, image 136 of 856.
18. ↑ St Tudy: information from GENUKI.
19. ↑ Robert Lean and Ann Cottel, 1756: Blisland register of Banns, FamilySearch film # 008086521, image 403 of 566.
20. ↑ Phillimore's transcriptions of St Tudy marriages: Cornwall Parish Registers, Marriages, Vol. 2, W. P. W. Phillimore and Thomas Taylor (eds), Phillimore & Co., London, 1902. Online version provided by the Internet Archive and digitizing sponsor the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
21. ↑ Phillimore's transcriptions of Blisland marriages: Cornwall Parish Registers, Marriages, Vol. 4, W. P. W. Phillimore, Thomas Taylor and Mrs J. H. Glencross (eds), Phillimore & Co., London, 1903. Online version provided by the Internet Archive and digitizing sponsor Google.
22. ↑ Banns of marriage between Robert Lean and Esther Hawken: Blisland Register of Banns, FamilySearch film # 008086521, image 405 of 566.
23. ↑ St Breward: information from GENUKI.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Christopher Lean (August 1757), Mary Lean (May 1761): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 10 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Rebecca Lean (January 1764), John Lean (January 1766): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 11 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1 26.2} Esther Lean (March 1768), Elizabeth Lean (May 1770), Robert Lean (September 1772): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 12 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
27. ↑ Richard Lean (July 1775): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 13 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
28. ↑ Benjamin Lean (September 1778): "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 14 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
29. ↑ Land Tax Assessment, 1798 (Folio 230 to 233, Blisland, Trigg, Cornwall). Land Tax Redemption Office: Quotas and Assessments. ASSESSMENTS, 1798 (38. Geo 111. C.5. 30. Nov. 1797).
30. ↑ Biography of Sir John Morshead (1747–1813), provided by historyofparliamentonline.org.
31. ↑ Esther Lean burial, 1810: "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 39 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
32. ↑ Esther Lean and Edward Lean, 1815: "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Marriages 1813-1837 > image 9 of 25; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
33. ↑ Esther Lean burial, 1816: "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Burials, 1813-1901 > image 5 of 55; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
34. ↑ Robert Lean burial, 1811: "England, Cornwall Parish Registers, 1538-2010" database with images (FamilySearch, 2 February 2018), Cornwall > Blisland > Baptisms, marriages, burials, 1716-1812 > image 40 of 40; Kresen Kernow, Redruth.
35. ↑ Cover sheet for Robert Lean's will: FamilySearch film # 004476841, image 433 of 2276.
36. ↑ Robert Lean's will: FamilySearch film # 004476841, image 429 of 2276. Will continues in images 430 to 432.
37. ↑ Cover sheet for Esther Lean's will: familySearch film # 004476841, image 262 of 2276.
38. ↑ Esther Lean's will: familySearch film # 004476841, image 263 of 2276.