Missionaries in Africa from England

[blackwood1]

I have a specific question about an ancestor, but thought I would leave this website open in case other ppl are looking for missionaries who emmigrated from England to Africa.

This relates to my ancestor MARGRAY, William, originally from Topsham, Devon.
He married a UNKNOWN Millicent (Milley) and they had two children William in 1807 and Martha Millycent in 1809 (both in Topsham, Devon).
Martha also used MARGRIE as her maiden name, so the spelling could be like that. She married an Anglican reverend, so we are guessing they were Anglican missionaries.

We believe the family left for Africa soon after Martha's birth, without William Jnr. (guessing he died young, we have no death record).

The story goes:
"Martha's father was a missionary in Aftrica where he and his family were massacred by the natives.
 A neighbour, Mr Goldsmid, realised that one of the family was unaccounted for and after a search found the little girl, Martha, who had run off into the bush to escape.
He took her to his home where she lived for some time, until it was decided that she should be with her relatives in England.
When she grew up, Martha was so grateful to the old Jewish man, that she gave her daughter the name Goldsmid in his honour."

We have no record of the emmigration to Africa, nor where they went, nor when Martha returned. In fact, we have no idea if the story is at all true, or simply a family history legend.

Any ideas?

[deb usa]

Hi Blackwood

I found this child on IGI...possibly another child of William and Millicent

SAMUEL MARGRAY s/o William Margray and Millecent
 02 AUG 1812   Topsham

there is also this marriage; 

 WILLIAM MARGRIE = MILLEY MERRY
 27 DEC 1795   Crewkerne, Somerset

deb
 

[deb usa]

Hi again


There are a few documents on National Archives that may refer to your Margray/Margrie family;



Information relating to document ref. no. 1078/IRW/M/187
Mellicent Margrie of Topsham, Devon. [Devon Record Office, Estate Duty Office Wills] Date: 1853.

Information relating to document ref. no. 1078/IRW/M/188
William Margrie of Topsham, Devon. [Devon Record Office, Estate Duty Office Wills] Date: 1851.


Online Document ADM 188/53
Name Margrie Joseph 69153 Topsham, Devon . Name Margrie Joseph 69153 Topsham, Devon Date: 1846
This can be oredered online at the National Archives.

There is a Joseph Margrie who is 4 in the 1851 census, b Topsham. He is with his dad a widower ..Robert Margrie bc 1801 Crewkerne Somersetshire  and a herbalist. in 1841 the family is still in Topsham with the dad absent, but mum Sally with them.

I am wondering is Robert could also be another child of William and Millicent especially with the marriage of a William to a Milley in 1795 in Crewkerne, Somerset.

deb

[deb usa]

hi

Wonder if this is your Millicent?

In 1851
Topsham, Budge Hill
Millicente Margerie (sic) head wid 81 annuitant b Crewkerne Somerset.
She has 2 lodgers living with her William and Louisa Blake both in their 20's

will try to find her in 1841.

deb

[deb usa]

1841
Topsham , Bridge Hill
Milleycent Margrie 70 Independent Not born in County
Robert Margrie 40 ag lab Not born in county
Louisa Margrie 11 Not born in county

Robert adds up to the Robert in 1851 who was absent from his home in 1841 as he was with his mum 

Robert Margrie(lab) = Sally Moor 1821 Topsham (Pallots index)
Marriage date; 06 MAR 1821 (IGI submitted)
(Some of their children have moore as a middle name).
added ... just noticed on the 1841 census that William Moor , 70 is with Sally and children 

deb

I hope I am on the right track here as it seems that Milleycent was not killed ...maybe just her husband was 

[deb usa]

hi again

We believe the family left for Africa soon after Martha's birth, without William Jnr. (guessing he died young, we have no death record).

Looks like William survived too 

1851
Littleham, Devon
Brags Lane
William Margrie head mar 44  (1807) blacksmith master b Topsham
Susan wife 43 b Shaldon
Samuel son 16 unm Blacksmith b Shaldon
Martha dau 15 unm scholar b Shaldon

1841
Withycombe Rawleigh
William Margrie 30 J Smith
William   "          12
Susan    "          30
Elizabeth "        16
John        "          9
Samuel    "          7
Martha    "          5
Daniel Sanders 25 J Smith
all born in county

I think Susan may have been his second wife; will look further.


deb

will check to see if William is still alive in 1861 in case the will (posted in reply 3) is his.

[blackwood1]

Wow, thanks for all the replies deb. Will try and cross-reference what I have here, and post which bits I think are relevant.
Interesting that there seems to be little record of William MARGRAY Snr., perhaps he *was* masacred by natives and the rest of the family went back (or stayed behind when he travelled to Africa).

Another family legend bites the dust?!

(And LOL at your royalty comment- everyone has one of those stories as well, right?)

Felicity.

[deb usa]

Hi Felicity

I am fascinated with this story! i lived in South Africa for 20 years and am trying to recall the history of the early 1800"s (perhaps I should g**gle  )

Somehow there must be some truth to the matter as Martha gave the name Goldsmith to her daughter.

another matter; Re the will of William Margrie dated 1851 .... William Jnr is still alive in 1861 ...so who's will is this ?  Is it possible that the whole family was saved?? 

In 1841 Millycent is 70 and with Robert, her son.... unfortunately 1841 census does not give us details of whether she is married or widowed ...what if William was still alive doing his missionary work somewhere ?

all these unanswered questions    Maybe the wills hold the clues!!

deb

[blackwood1]

another matter; Re the will of William Margrie dated 1851 .... William Jnr is still alive in 1861 ...so who's will is this ?  Is it possible that the whole family was saved?? 

In 1841 Millycent is 70 and with Robert, her son.... unfortunately 1841 census does not give us details of whether she is married or widowed ...what if William was still alive doing his missionary work somewhere ?

We have ordered both the wills for the MARGRIEs from the Devon Records office; hopefully they will shed some more light on the matter...