The UK Census records can inadvertently reveal secrets.

As far as the descendants of Samuel Drew (the eloping chappie) knew, there were very few living close relatives back in Cornwall. This was true enough, as Samuel’s only known living brother had left Cornwall for London and, later, Hampshire quite early in life and was quite unlucky with his children, only one of three surviving childhood.

There was, however, a half-brother whose existence appears not to have been shared with my grandfather and siblings.

While researching great-great-grandfather Edward George Drew, another Edward G Drew appeared. In the 1841 UK Census, at Illogan Highway, Illogan, Edward G Drew, 12, Carpenter, born in county is living with Edward G Drew, 31, Carpenter, born in county. They are the only people in the household.The elder Edward George Drew did not marry until March 1842.

In 1851, in Mylor Bridge, Edward G Drew, 21, son, unmarried, Boot and Shoemaker, born Mylor, is residing with Elizabeth Dingey, 62, head, unmarried, Housekeeper Proprietor, born St Clements, Deaf.

Digging around, I have been able to confirm that the younger Edward George Drew, born June 1829, was indeed the product of a relationship between my great-great-grandfather and an older woman. The younger Edward George became a pillar of the Mylor community and, with Mary Ann Reid (or Reed) of Falmouth, produced 11 half-cousins for my grandfather. One of those half-cousins, James Henry Drew (shown in the photo above), was a very early member of the Cornwall Constabulary (PC number 12), was twice decorated for police work and retired with the rank of superintendent. One of his grandsons, William Reginald Capel Drew, joined the Royal Navy and was lost in the North Sea on 15 October 1914 when his ship, the HMS Hawke, was torpedoed and sank with all hands.

Edward George Jr, his wife Mary Ann, and a daughter Martha Lucas Drew share a grave near the gate of Mylor churchyard.

Through the on-line genealogy community, I have been able to contact some of my many half third cousins.

Geoff Drew