John Milsted (1741–1792) lived a life that reflected the social and economic shifts of 18th-century England, transitioning from his probable birthplace in Kent to the bustling city of Bath and finally to Helston, a thriving Cornish market town. His story is one of movement, reinvention, and family complexities, emblematic of the period’s challenges and opportunities.
Roots in Kent and a New Start in Bath
Though records of John’s early life are sparse, it is likely that he was born in Kent around 1741. By 1769, he had established himself in Bath, where he married Elizabeth Mansfield (1739–1775) by licence at the prestigious Bath Abbey. Both were residents of the St James area, a neighborhood known for its diverse population, from artisans to the wealthy elite. Their marriage was witnessed by Stephen White and Mathias Walter, a cabinet maker whose craft likely tied him to Bath’s flourishing furniture trade.
A Move to Helston: Innkeeping and Family Life
By 1771, John had left Bath and relocated to Helston in Cornwall, where he took up work as an innkeeper. Helston, then a small but growing market town, provided a new chapter for John as he transitioned to life in this evolving community. Here, John and Elizabeth welcomed two daughters: Sarah (b. 1771) and Mary (b. 1774). Sadly, Elizabeth passed away in 1775, leaving John a widower with young children.
Illegitimate Sons and Family Complexity
Before his second marriage, John fathered two illegitimate sons. The first, John Milsted, was born in 1772 in Helston to a woman named Sarah. The second, John Dun Milsted, was born in November 1791 to Johannah (Hannah) Dun. Baptismal records for John Dun Milsted starkly describe him as a “bastard, pauper,” a reflection of the harsh societal judgments of the time. Remarkably, his birth occurred just a month before the birth of John’s legitimate son, Robert, with Margaretta. Margaretta likely raised John Dun Milsted alongside her own children, demonstrating a compassionate and practical approach to family life.
A New Union and a Growing Family
In 1779, John married Margaretta Scadden (1750–1819), a widow from Helston who had previously been married to John Rogers of Wendron. Their marriage, solemnized by licence, was witnessed by H. Scaddan and John Jago. Together, John and Margaretta built a blended family, and their union produced five children: Elizabeth (b. 1780), Mary Anne (b. 1782), William (b. 1784), Robert Barwick (1787–1790), and Robert (b. 1791).
Margaretta’s resilience and dedication were evident in her role as the matriarch of a large and diverse household, managing her children and John’s illegitimate sons after his death.
A Sudden Loss and Family Challenges
John Milsted passed away in January 1792, just weeks after the birth of his youngest son, Robert. Margaretta was left to raise their children and navigate the challenges of life in Helston. The town itself was evolving, its grammar school earning the nickname “Little Eton of England,” and its residents adapting to the economic opportunities and hardships of the era.
The Next Generations: Migration and the Cornish Diaspora
As the 19th century unfolded, the Milsted family’s fortunes diverged. William Milsted remained in Helston, working as a saddler and living with his widowed sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, in Meneage Street. Their half-brother, John (born to Sarah), became a carpenter, settling nearby in Coinagehall Street.
By the 1840s, economic hardships, including the potato famine and mining slumps, spurred large-scale migration. John Dun Milsted’s children were among those who either emigrated to Australia or were transported there, joining the waves of Cornish emigrants who became part of the global Cornish diaspora.
A Legacy of Reinvention
From his probable beginnings in Kent to his roles as an innkeeper and family man in Helston, John Milsted’s life exemplified resilience and adaptability. His descendants, whether they remained in Cornwall or ventured abroad, carried forward his legacy of reinvention and determination. Helston’s historic streets and the enduring ties of the Cornish diaspora stand as a testament to families like the Milsteds, whose lives were shaped by the shifting tides of history.
Timeline of John’s relationships and children
1769: Marriage to Elizabeth, Bath
1771: Birth of Sarah (Elizabeth, mother), Helston
1772: Birth of John (Sarah, mother), Helston
1774: Birth of Mary (Elizabeth, mother), Helston
1775: Death of Elizabeth, Helston
1779: Marriage to Margaretta, Helston
1780: Death of daughter Mary, Mylor
1780: Birth of Elizabeth (Margaretta, mother), Helston
1782: Birth of Mary Anne (Margaretta, mother), Helston
1784: Birth of William (Margaretta, mother), Helston
1787: Birth of Robert Barwick (Margaretta, mother), Helston
1790: Death of son Robert Barwick
1791: Birth of Robert (Margaretta, mother), Helston
1791: Birth of John Dun (Hannah, mother), Helston
1792: Death, Helston
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