Francis Renals (1826–1889) — Mine Captain
"In Loving Memory of Captain F. Renals, who died at Marke Valley Mine, August 11th 1889, Aged 62 years" — Rilla Mill Methodist churchyard, photographed 5 April 2025
Francis Renals was baptised 22 October 1826 at Cardinham, Cornwall, son of William Renals (1776-1837) and Jenifer Sleep (1781-1862). He died on 11 August 1889 at Marke Valley Mine, Linkinhorne, aged 62 - a fact confirmed by his own headstone, which records his death occurring at the mine itself, though the precise circumstances remain unconfirmed beyond family tradition.
Francis's father, William, was the brother of Francis Rennals (1781-1858) of Cardinham and Margate - meaning this Francis was a first cousin of James Renals and John Rennals the blacksmith, both documented elsewhere on this site. The two branches of the family, one rooted in farming and trade around Bodmin, the other in mining around Caradon Hill, were closer kin than earlier research had established.
Francis worked as a mine captain - Mine Agent of the East Phoenix and Marke Valley mines, Caradon Hill, near Minions and Linkinhorne.
Family
Francis married Grace Clemens on 24 February 1848 at Linkinhorne Parish Church (civil registration index: January 1848, Liskeard district).
From the marriage entry, Francis was recorded as the son of William Renals, both father and son given as miners. Francis could not write, and signed the register with a mark. He was described as of full age, as was Grace, his bride. Grace's own father, John Clemens, was also a miner.
Marriage entry of Francis Renals and Grace Clemens, 24 February 1848, Linkinhorne
Francis and Grace had at least eight children: Harriet (b.1849), William (b.1851), Frena (b.1853), Lavinia (1853-1887), Elizabeth Jane (1856-1926), John (b.1859), Joseph Hobbs (b.1861), and Mary (1867-1896).
Finding Captain Francis
In 2025, Andrew and Niki were staying at a campsite near Minions, on Bodmin Moor. In conversation, the site's owner offered a potted history of the area and, on hearing the family name, ran a quick search that turned up a "Captain Francis Renals" connected to the local mines. Following this lead through Find A Grave led to his headstone at Rilla Mill Methodist churchyard, photographed on 5 April 2025 - since moved from its original plot and now resting against a boundary hedge, but confirmed by its inscription as his.
In August 2026, a family tree shared by Jeremy Renals of Oxfordshire - built substantially on research by his cousin Carol Rochet (spelling to be confirmed) - independently confirmed this identification and revealed the first-cousin relationship to James Renals and John Rennals described above.
Sources: Ancestry.co.uk record for Francis Rennals; family tree research shared by Jeremy Renals, August 2026; headstone, Rilla Mill Methodist churchyard, photographed by Andy Renals, 5 April 2025.