Humphrey John Willyams

In 1911, Humphrey John Willyams was living at 11 Elliot Street, with his wife, Margaret (nee Jowitt) and daughter Joan.  Also at the address were a visitor, Sophie Merritt and servants Isabella Jennings, Annie Gay and Joanna Harris.  At this time, Humphrey was a retired land agent. 

Humphrey was born around 1861 in Truro, Cornwall.  He was the son of Arthur Champion Phillips Willyams and Charlotte Elizabeth Willyams.

Carnanton House, c.1880. (Source: ancestryimages.com)

In 1871, Humphrey was staying with his Grandparents, Humphrey and Ellen Francis (nee Neynoe)  Willyams, at the family seat of Carnanton House in St Columb, Cornwall.  His Grandfather was described as Landed Proprietor, Banker, Copper Merchant and J.P.  His parents were also staying at the House, his Father being described as a Banker and J.P.  In addition to the family, there were also 12 servants in residence.

The Willyams family (formerly spelt Wyllyams) arrived in Cornwall around 1485, having moved to the county from Dorset.  Some key family members include:

• THOMAS WILLYAMS, born in 1524, was Speaker of the House of Commons in 1562.
• JOHN WILLYAMS, of Roseworthy, who was born in 1660, married the youngest daughter and co-heiress of Colonel Humphrey Noye, of Carnanton, only son of William Noye, Attorney-General to Charles the First,  and by whom the Carnanton estates came into the family.
• JAMES WILLYAMS, Esq., of Truro, J.P. and D.L., born September 30th, 1741, who married, in 1770, Anne, only daughter of William Champion, Esq., of Wormley, Gloucestershire, and on the death of his relative,  John Oliver Willyams, succeeded to the Roseworthy and Carnanton estates. He died the 10th of February, 1828, and was followed by his son,
• HUMPHREY WILLYAMS, Esq. (Humphrey John's Grandfather), of Roseworthy and Carnanton, J.P., D.L., High Sheriff of Cornwall, 1859-60, and M.P. for Truro from 1848 to 1852, born April 20th, 1792. He married, January 14th, 1822, Ellen Frances, youngest daughter of William Brydges Neynoe, Esq., of Castle Neynoe, in the county of Sligo, and had, with other children, and elder surviving son,

• EDWARD BRYDGES WILLYAMS (Humphrey John's Uncle), of Carnanton, J.P., D.L., and Deputy-Warden of the Stanneries, born 5th November, 1835, married, 1856, Jane, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Trevor Wheler, Baronet, of Leamington Hastings, Warwickshire, M.P. for Truro from 1857 to 1860, and for East Cornwall from 1868 to 1874, when he retired.

Edward Brydges Willyams, from a picture in Vanity Fair, 1885.

Humphrey married Margaret Jowitt on 22nd January 1890:

Royal Cornwall Gazette - Thursday 30 January 1890 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1891, the estate of Carnanton was offered to let:

Hartlepool Mail - Saturday 07 November 1891 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In the census of 1891, Humphrey was working as a Land Agent.  He and his family were living at Nanskeval, close to Carnanton House.

In 1901,Humphrey and his family were living in Barndale House, Alnwick, Northumberland and Humphrey was described as a Private Secretary.

Humphrey John Willyams died on 21st May 1923, leaving effects of £9184.15s.7d.

West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser - Thursday 24 May 1923 Image © Local World Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Descendents of the Willyams family remain at Carnanton House to this day!