Mary Conen was born on the 6th
and baptised on the 28th October 1778 at St Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury,
London. She died circa 1835. More is known of Mary's lineage than of Mary
herself, but it is on record that she married Charles Kay (1779) on November
12th 1800 at St Bride, Fleet Street, London, which forms our link with the
Conen family.
Mary's father, Richard (the son of Edward and Elizabeth Conen), was baptised on 7th April 1737 at St Botolph w/out Aldersgate, London. His occupation was given as goldsmith from 1759 to 1769 and in that year his business address and residence was Phillip Lane, London, which runs parallel to Little Wood Street and Jasper Street and lies between Addle Street and London Wall. The address is a short distance from St Mary the Virgin Church, Aldermanbury where, following his death aged 82 years, he was buried on 3rd June 1817. His address was then given as Hart Street, London Wall. The burial entry records that Richard is buried in the Front Churchyard; and also states 'Poor'. He married Sarah Strong on 13th February 1760 at St Luke, Old Street, Finsbury. Sarah (the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Strong) was born on 20th September 1735 at Westminster and was baptised 1st October 1735 at St Martin in the Fields, Westminster. She died, aged 81, when living at Hart Street, London Wall and was also buried at St Mary the Virgin, on 24th August 1817. The entry also states 'Poor'.
Mary's grandfather, Edward Conen
(the son of William Conen and Susannah Johnson), was baptised 25th June
1693 at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, London. He was married to Elizabeth
(of whom further information is unknown). Following his death in 1753
he was buried at St Leonard, Shoreditch.
Edward was a Goldsmith, Silversmith and Plateworker, his Apprenticeship
and Freedom Details, held at the Guildhall Library, for the Goldsmiths
Company read: 'Edward Conen, son of William Conen of London, Merchant.
Apprenticed on 12th November 1707 to Philip Brush, Goldsmith; turned over
to Richard Watts. Free by Service 10th December 1714.' In 1724 his business
address was Carey Lane, London. His mark as a largeworker is entered on
8th December 1724. He is also mentioned in Grimwade's Directory of London
Goldsmiths and "The London Goldsmiths 1200-1800". A copy of
the Will of Edward Conen dated 28th February 1750 and proved 4th October
1753 is held. Mentioned in the Will is property in Thames Street, London
left to him by his cousin George Conen, Doctor of Divinity. The main details
of the will are as follows: The property as mentioned above to his dear
and loving wife Mary for and during the term of her natural life upon
her decease to his son William and upon his decease to his son Richard.
To his godson William Clarke the sum of £5/5/- to buy him a ring
in remembrance of him; to his said son Richard the sum of £100 to
be paid to him by his said son Richard within three months of his decease.
His wife Mary was to be sole Executrix and at her death his son Richard
was to be sole Executor.
William and his family resided at Laurence Pountney Lane, London from
1677 and from 25th June 1693 he resided at Lemon Street, London.
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Mary's great-grandfather William Conen was born at Aix la Capella, Aachen, Germany circa 1649. (Sources: The Huguenot Society and the publication "Merchants of London 1677". When he was naturalised on 20th December 1674, his address was given as Laurence Pountney Lane and his occupation from 1677 to 1707 was that of 'merchant'. He married Susannah Johnson on 30th November 1676 at St Michael, Cornhill and their address is given as Lemon Street, London.
Mary's great-great-grandfather Jacob Conen was born circa 1619 and came from Prussia.
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