Jane (Bell) Staples (1757 - 1823)

Born 1757 in Wexford, Ireland

Wife of Thomas Staples — married 1775 in Gorey, Ireland

Descendants

Died 1 May 1823 at about age 66 in at sea

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Biography

-died on ship , the Ceres (Cork) or the brig Jane (Wexford), on way to Canada. She was not buried at sea, but was kept secretly on board and buried on land upon arrival in Quebec (whereabouts unknown).

In the Staples family history compiled by Diane Boyd and her sister, research was taken from relatives and "The Staples Genealogy" which stated:

"Thomas Staples, age 75, his wife Jane aged 66, along with four more of their children plus their families left Ireland in May of 1823. On the voyage, Jane Staples died just when they were in sight of land. Her family, not wishing to have her buried at sea, managed to keep her death a secret from the captain of the ship. Her daughter, Ann Carr, placed her mother's body in a wooden chest and it was carried out with their house-hold effects. She was buried in a quiet spot on the Canadian shore. They were a sad family that reached Canada after a long, stormy journey. Thomas Staples died two years later."

The headstone may only be an epitaph to her memory, placed when Thomas died, or her body may have been moved to the cemetery.

The W.E. Swain family history compiled by Diane Boyd.

Sources

• http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/26447489/person/12515243454

The W.E. Swain family history compiled by Diane Boyd.