Stephens, Mr John

Singer

Collection date: May 1913

Area: Cornwall

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Mr John Stephens at Helston, Cornwall (1837-1914): age 77, 1 song on 8 May 1913: Sharp noted down the processional tune (FT2820) and then obtained the ‘Hal-an-Tow’ song from a Mr Stephens, ‘aged 77’ (click vwml link above).

From Sharp's field words notebook 1913/2 p6 we know  this to be John Stephens of 70 Meneage St, Helston. He was a mason, who was born c1837, 2nd of 6 children of John Stephens Snr, also a mason, and his wife Jane. John Jr lived his whole life in Helston, mostly in Wendron Street. He married Elizabeth Jane Spargo in July qr 1859 (ref 5c 302). Elizabeth was recorded as ‘blind’ in all censuses from 1871 till her death in 1908. They had 4 children and can be found in the 1891 census (RG12/1840 f46 p13), with their daughter, her husband and first of 4 grandchildren. John was on his own as widower in the 1911 census. He died Jan qr 1914 (Helston 5c 241).