John Johns James - Parents of John

I suggest getting a copy of his death certificate. Hopefully, it records the correct parents.

You mention some of my family.

My 5th great grandparents John Johns James a blacksmith & Ann James had a son John Johns James born 6 DEC 1812 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, England. I have no further record of him.

His younger brother, Samuel Johns James (my 4th great-grandfather) married Sarah James 9 Aug 1842 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, England.
They sailed to New Plymouth, NZ on the Essex 3 September 1842.

Looking at the names of the children & grandchildren of John James & Ann Phillips they have a very similar naming pattern to my family plus John James was also a blacksmith.

There is a book about the family too.
John Johns James and Ann Phillips who Arrived in New Plymouth Aboard the William Bryan in 1841
By Peter and Jenny Symon, 2007 - Taranaki (N.Z.)

I don't have access to a copy of the book though as I live in Aus.

Waiting to hear back from a friend about getting access to a copy of the book.

Ha that would make us somewhat close cousins given that the John in question is my 4th great grandfather.

In my search I have found that a John and Samuel James both lived at Avenue Road in 1855. They were listed as eligible to be a juror in New Plymouth.

Source: Taranaki Herald, Volume III, Issue 133, 14 February 1855

John was noted as a blacksmith in a diary by Henry Weekes taken during the journey on the William Bryan.

One thing I know is that his current parents are incorrect - John James of Scawby has an established family back in England. The manager who put them there stated that he found them on a family tree online.

Access to that book would be great

Wow, how exciting! It's been a while since a discovery like this has happened in my family tree.

I will be very surprised if John & Samuel don't turn out to be brothers.

I have disconnected John James from parents.

Hi
My Grandfather Arthur was the grandson of John Johns James and Ann Phillips.
I too have been looking or Johns ancestors. I have a copy of his death certificate and it just says "Not Known" in the place for his parent's details. I also have a copy of the book "Plymouth to New Plymouth" which has a page or so of the surgeons dairy notes of the time he married John and Ann. Sadly it tells nothing about John's past..
Warren

Warren, thank you for letting us know about the death certificate. That was my worst fear that his parents would no be recorded. That often happens with death certificates of early immigrants.

Do you know if he left a will?

Warren, what about the book "John Johns James and Ann Phillips who Arrived in New Plymouth Aboard the William Bryan in 1841"?

So far the only copy known appears to be at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth.

I'm still waiting to hear back about the book.

My friend is trying to source a copy of the book via the library interloan system for us.

John Johns James & Samuel James owned part of the same block of land in the 1880-1881 Electoral Roll
James, John Johns, Freehold, New Plymouth, Gardner, Grey, 83, part; Tikorangi 59
James, Samuel, Freehold, New Plymouth, Farmer, Grey, 83, part

Puke Ariki won't loan the book as it's in their reference section. They don't loan reference books. I don't think we need the book, it might not have the answer we want anyway.

I think we have enough circumstantial evidence to confirm they were brothers.

Yes I think its a fair chance that they are brothers. We know that both a Samuel and John James arrived in New Plymouth in the 1840s and they were present together by at least 1855. Family naming conventions are similar suggesting at least a similar Cornish background. Their middle names are identical. Cornish parish records give two individuals of the right ages whom do not appear later in the England death records.

Ultimately a DNA test is probably the only option to give more information.

I reckon merge them as brothers.

Merge done :)

I've been thinking about getting an Autosomal DNA test done.

Have you tested with any company?

Nah I haven't had a test, but like you it has been on my mind. There's quite the mystery of several lines in my family. Perhaps one day I'll take the plunge and find out!