The eldest Cann ancestor that I've been able to discover would be Philip Cann, born
1828 in Blackwatertown, Cornwall, England. He died between 1875 - 1881 in most likly
Gwennap, Cornwall. This Philip appeared in the 1871 Gwennap, Cornwall census as a tin
miner and married to Elizabeth (b. 1829 Stithians, Cornwall, England). The following
children were in the house hold in 1871;
Sophia Cann b. 1854 Barnstaple, Devon, England
Philip Cann Jr. b. 1856 Barnstaple, Devon, England
Thomas Cann b. 1858 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
William Cann b. 1859 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Richard Cann b. 1863 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
*James Cann b. 1864 Gwennap, Cornwall, England (a tin miner at the age of 7)
Charles Cann b. 1867 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
George Cann b. 1870 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Joseph Cann b. 1871 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Norman Cann b. 1875 Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Ten years later the 1881 English census reveals more information. Philip had died by now
and his wife is listed as a widow and head of the household. Elizabeth had all the
children in her household from the previous census exept Sophia who most likely would have
married by now.
*James Cann was 17 years old and was listed as a miner of tin along with his brother
Philip, Thomas, and William.
Ten years following in 1891 James is nowhere to be found in England. He had married his
wife Elizabeth in 1885 and had their first child Thomas James Cann that year. If that
wasn't enough, James left for America that year too and his activities in the new
world will remain a mystry until 1910. His wife Elizabeth Anne Harris and his 5 year old
son Thomas James appear in the household of her Mother Elizabeth Anne in Gwennap,
Cornwall. The following was found in that census;
Elizabeth Anne (head) widow - born in 1836 Illogan, Cornwall
Kate Harris (daughter) - born in 1873 Gwennap, Cornwall
Bepie Harris (daughter) - born in 1874 Gwennap, Cornwall
Elizabeth Anne Cann (daughter) born in 1867 Dalton-in-Furness, Cornwall
*Thomas James Cann (grandson) born in 1886 in Gwennap, Cornwall. -Student-
Thomas, his Mother Elizabeth Anne, and his Grandmother Elizabeth Anne left for America
after July 26th 1891.
The family doesn't appear to be found until they are all together in Grass Valley,
Nevada County in 1910. This census appears as so;
James Cann (head) -Gold Miner-
Elizabeth Anne Cann (wife)
Ada Cann (daughter) b.1897 in Ca.
Samuell Cann (son) b. 1908 in Ca.
Elizabeth Anne Harris (mother in law)
*Thomas J. Cann (son) and married for 1 year. -Gold Miner-
*Maude Cann (daughter in law)
If anyone has any more information on this family please let me know!
Thank you for your time,
Deane