The distance between St Gluvias and Sth Petherwin has certainly been in my mind too ...
I wonder whether we could get some census details for John born 1830 St Gluvias?
Presumably, as Kris says, in South Petherwin, parents William 55, ag lab, and Mary 45, other children Jane, Maria, James.
That would seem to make him the John c1831 South Petherwin who is a servant in St Thomas by Launceston in 1851. Maria c1833 South Petherwin is also a servant in 1851, in South Petherwin.
And the parents in 1851 are William c1781 North Petherwin, pauper, and Mary, c1793 South Petherwin, agricultural labourer. As Kris says.
Where did the idea that John was baptised in St Gluvias come from?
There seems to have been a backstory conceived (only late did the family move to South Petherwin ...) to match a random set of baptism records!
I think the problem may be the absence of South Petherwin parish records -- but this is definitely a case of "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"! The fact that records of baptisms in South Petherwin are not available does not mean they didn't happen.
But Kris - you do have access?
Ahhh ... just like for my St Stephens by Saltash ancestors: the records are at FindMyPast. The children of William and Mary are there too (James is James Ruse Pearse 1836, e.g.).
I guess the question is: is the John in the censuses shown as born in South Petherwin your actual ancestor? (from the confirmed descent from him, e.g. your ancestor as a child in his census household, etc.)
