John Worth and
Mary (Shinner) Worth

A quick biography. More to come.

John Worth was baptism 21 December 1753, the son of John and Rebecca Worth.[1] He married Mary Skinner (sic) at St. Andrew's Church in Harberton, Devon on 3 January 1781.[2]

John and Mary had at least 6 children.

On 24 March 1830, John died at age 76 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew's Church, Harberton, Devon.[3] He left a will which is listed on the Death Duty Register with the will filed in Totnes, Devon; Register 2, Folio 203.

Harberton in the County of Devon
March 19th, 1830

In the name of God amen. I John Worth being of sound mind do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I bequeath (after the paying all my just debts and funeral expenses) all my worldly effects equally divided between my four children now living. John and William Worth, Susan Bond, Rebbecca Tucker and I further declare that any Will made by me heretofore to be void. Signed this thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty.

 John Worth
Witnessed by Wm Worth, Samuel Andrews

John and Mary share a gravestone in the St. Andrew's Churchyard (as of 2000) As is the custom, it has been moved off the grave site and is located around the perimeter of the cemetery. It reads: Sacred to the Memory of Mary Worth who departed this life 26th July 1810 aged 59 years. When death dread kings approached manful state Religion still sustained her constant mind Calmly she yielded to resist her fate In sickness patient and in death resigned. Also to John Worth who died March 20th 1830 aged 76 years.[4]

 Comment: I think Mary's maiden name was Shinner, not Skinner. It appears to be an "h" instead of a "k" on the marriage banns record. If that is the case, there was a Mary Shinner baptized in Dartington, Devon, on 19 Feb 1750, daughter of John and Wilmet Shinner. John and Wilmet were married in Dartington in 1745. More research is required.

[1] England, Devon, Harberton - Parish Register - Baptisms, Harberton Parish, (Harberton, Devonshire, England), Parish Registers, unnumbered page, John Worth, 21 December 1753; digital images, FindMyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 17 October 2015).  citing South West Heritage Trust, archive reference 333A/PR/1/3.

[2] England, Devon, Harberton - Parish Register - Marriages, Harberton Parish, (Harberton, Devonshire, England), Parish Registers, page 95, John Worth and Mary Shinner, 3 January 1781; digital images, "Devon Marriages," FindMyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 17 October 2015).  citing South West Heritage Trust, archive reference 333A/PR/1/3.

[3] England, Devon, Harberton - Parish Register - Burials, Harberton Parish, (Harberton, Devonshire, England), Parish Register, Page 54, No. 429, John Worth, 24 March 1830; digital images, "Devon Burials," FindMyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 17 October 2015);.  citing South West Heritage Trust, ref no. unknown.

[4] England, Devon, Harberton, St. Andrew's Church - Grave marker, St. Andrew's Churchyard, (Harberton, Devonshire, England), Mary Worth and John Worth monumental inscription; photograph and transcript of inscription supplied by Jean and Mike (last name unknown) mkealauna@aol.com, Devon area residents, 14 March 2000.