The Cowling sisters, Jane (b 1808) and Joanna (b 1822), grew up in West Blackdown on the Brentor/ Mary Tavy boundary.
In 1828, as Ann Jane Couling, Jane married John Bastian in Falmouth. I have settlement examination, removal order, marriage certificates and a will to confirm her identity. In 1830 a son was born and in 1832 her husband died. In 1835 she married George Pashbee in Falmouth.
In 1841 Jane was living alone in Falmouth. Her husband was at sea and her son was with his grandmother. Joanna, aged 17, was living as a servant in the house of Rev Robert Pratt, R C priest, in Falmouth. Thereafter Joanna returned to Plymouth and her own colourful life.
George Pashbee died in New Zealand in 1850 and in 1851 Jane Pashbee, widow, was a servant in the household of Rev Robert Platt, living in Bridgetown, Totnes. Jane married George Gill in 1852 in Totnes.
In 1861 Jane Gill was again recorded as Robert Platt's servant, living in Cannington, Somerset. They were still together in 1871 but had then moved to Fairford, Gloucestershire. George Gill, who had described himself as widowed in 1871, died in 1876, as did Robert Platt. He was then living in near Stroud, Glos. By 1881 Jane had moved back to Cannington and her death was registered in Taunton in 1889.
Robert Platt was born in Oxford 1795. He entered into the priesthood in 1824 and was appointed to the Axminster Mission. He moved to Newquay in 1826 and year later transferred to Falmouth. He was in Swansea between 1831-33 before returning Falmouth. In 1843 he was removed from Falmouth and ordered to retire. After some temporary work in Dorset, he was appointed to Follaton, Totnes, in 1845.
My question is this: where, when and in what circumstances did the sisters, and particularly Jane, develop the connection to Robert Platt. I firmly believe they came from a committed non-conformist family (Bible Christian/Methodist). What motivated them move over 70 miles to Falmouth?
I would be surprised, and delighted, if there is any relevant documentary evidence to provide an answer, but I would be quite happy to hear anyone speculative or fanciful answers.
Perhaps when Joanna left her employment her sister agreed to take her place? Then perhaps George Gill was also employed by Re Platt? Perhaps she had family which would be why she moved to Cannington. Have you checked out where Joanna was at the matching dates? whether she married etc.?
I have found the details of his removal from 1843, and it certainly seems that he was held in high esteem with no suggestion of any inappropriate behaviour.
Do you have any details as to why Father Platt was removed in 1843?
Do you have his will?
I'm assuming that all of Jane's marriages were C of E? That rules out conversion to Catholicism early on, though she may have done so after her last marriage.
Perhaps the Catholic Church paid higher wages than Jane could get elsewhere?
Thanks, Judith and Karen, for your thoughts. I'll fill in a bit more in response.
I am waiting Robert Platt's will. Jane and George Gill married Berry Pomery parish church, so had not converted at that time - if at all. George Gill was a blacksmith so unlikely to be Robert Platt's payroll. Jane was in Falmouth from at least 1828 when Joanna was only about 6, so Joanna would have been the follower. Joanna was in Plymouth in 1851, gave birth to son in 1857, married in 1858 ( not to son's father), married again 1875 and died in 1892. All events Plymouth. I can find no other family connection to Somerset or Gloucestershire.
I have two possible scenarios. I can find nothing about the Axminster Mission but wonder it if supported peripatetic priests who provided services where there was no parish priest and Robert Platt found his way to West Devon where he came into contact with Jane. Totally speculative. The other possibility is based on the fact the girls' parents migrated from Cornwall (St Agnes) circa 1800 and the girls went to join family in Falmouth, but as yet I have been unable to find any evidence to support that theory.
Interestingly Swindon Genral Rate Book for 1868 and 1869 list Rev Robert Platt as owner of properties in the town. Perhaps he was holding them for the Catholic Church.