Samuel was born during 1787 [Baptismal record Trese.] at Quethiock, Cornwall the son of
Samuel and Mary nee Souther
and the grandson of
Peter and Joan nee Sharp.
At sometime, probably in the early 1800s, he left Quethiock and moved to Devonport to work in the Dockyard.
During 1812 when he would have been about 25 years old he was married [as Samuel Trays] in Stoke Damerel, Devon (the parish in which
Devonport was then situated). His bride was an Ann Martin who was probably a year or two younger and gave her place of birth variously as
Quethiock, Menheniott and St Germans, Cornwall.
To date six children of their marriage have been traced, four sons and two daughters. It is thought possible that there were other children
as yet unidentified, particularly during the first decade after Samuel and Ann’s marriage.
Samuel and Ann’s surname was recorded as ‘Trays’ in 1851 Census but in 1861 Census and 1871 Census as ‘Treays’. The spelling ‘Treays’ seems
to have become the norm for them and their descendants by 1861.
Ann died, as Ann Treays, in Stoke Damerel during 1872 aged about 83 and Samuel died there, as Samuel Treays, during 1879, age 91.
- son Samuel, according to the only reference found to date for him, was born in Devonport during 1812 or 1813. He appears to have joined
the Royal Navy, probably in the 1820s, and spent his working life at sea. No later definite information about him has been obtained to date.
- son David, according to the only reference found to date for him, was born probably in Devonport, sometime between 1815 and 1817.
He appears to have died at Lower Swilly, Stoke Damerel, Devon, age 11 years and 8 months and was buried in Stoke Damerel, Devon sometime
during 1828.
- son William Martin was born sometime in the year 1821/2. When he was 19 years old he was recorded in the 1841 Census as a ‘Block: m-op’ (?Block Machine Operator)
presumably in H.M. Dockyard at Devonport. As yet he has not been traced in the 1851 or 1861 Census but by 1871 was still living in Stoke Damerel parish,
a widower with one child, a son living with him. To date neither the maiden name of his wife nor her date of death has been found.
As yet no further details of William's life and death have been located.
- daughter Mary was born, according to the only reference found for her to date, probably about 1825/6 in Devon, presumably Stoke Damerel/Devonport.
At that time she was living at home with her parents. No later definite information about her has been obtained to date.
- son Elijah was, according to later records, born in Stoke Damerel, Devon sometime during the period 1827/9. During late 1848 when he was
about 20 years old he was married in East Stonehouse, Devon (also now part of Plymouth) to Ann Maria Netting.
She appears to have been about the same age as Elijah and also born in Stoke Damerel. Elijah and Ann Maria had at least six children, three
sons and three daughters. Ann Maria died during 1876 when she was only about 48 years old. Sometime between
then and 1881 Elijah re-married, to Elizabeth Jane Hartley and in 1881 they were living at 7 William Street, Plymouth St Andrew, Devon.
She was about 6 years younger than Elijah, with at least one child, a son from a previous marriage. Elizabeth died in Stoke Damerel
Registration District during 1891 aged only about 56. Elijah died there during 1896 aged about 68.
- daughter Maria was born in Plymouth, Devon sometime within a year or so of 1831. She appears to have remained living with her parents
for approximately the first two decades of her life. During 1854 when she was about 23 years old she was married in Plymouth, as Maria Treays,
to James Yeo Bray. He was a fisherman, was about 8 years older than Maria and also appears to have been born in Plymouth.
After their marriage they lived in the Vintry area of Plymouth St Andrews.
They had at least 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter, who was the youngest child.