So like my harte unto posteritie.
This Sir Francis Basset, (who was of Tehiddy) procured for St. Ives, from King Charles, in the year 1639, its first charter of incorporation; under which the body-corporate consisted of a Mayor, 12 capital Burgesses, and 24 inferior Burgesses: but by the subsequent charter of James II., granted in 1685, the Corporation consists of a Mayor, Recorder, Town clerk, 10 Aldermen, and 12 Common-council-men. Four of these are Justices of the Peace, and hold a Sessions. It appears that before the incorporation, the chief officer of this town was called the Mayor or Portreeve; and it is said that one Payne, who held that office in the reign of Edward VI., was executed by order of Sir Anthony Kingston, for being concerned in Arundell’s rebellion.[[30]] The Borough has sent members to Parliament ever since the reign of Philip and Mary.
The Rev. Jonathan Touss, the learned annotator on Sudidas, and editor of Longinus, was born at St. Ives, and died at the age of 72, in the year 1785, after being 34 years rector of St. Martin’s, near Looe.
The Church is a low antient fabric, situated near the seashore, and contains a curious Font, the body of St. Ia, the foundress of the church, and the patroness of the town.
On the summit of a hill, near the town, is Treguma, a modern castellated building, the seat of S. Stephens, Esq. which commands a fine prospect of the sea. About a mile from the house, is a pyramid erected to the memory of the late John Knill, Esq., of Gray’s Inn, London, and secretary to Lord Hobart, when Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, who by will, directed that at the end of every five years, an old woman, and 10 girls under 14 years of age, should walk in procession with music, from the market-house at St. Ives, to this pyramid, round which they should dance and sing the 100th Psalm, and for which purpose he gave some freehold lands.[[31]]
About four miles from St. Ives, at a place called Hayle, situated on the eastern bank of the river of that name, were, till lately, several houses for smelting copper, but which have been discontinued, owing to the too great expense necessary to be incurred. The process of smelting the ore and rolling the metal, was brought to great perfection at these works, but materially effected the constitution of the poor men employed in them. A very considerable trade is however carried on at Hayle, in timber, iron, limestone, and Bristol wares.
On the west side of the harbour, is Trevethoe, the property of Wm. Praed, Esq. The house stands in a very pleasant situation, and the grounds have been much improved by the introduction of the pine-aster fir, which flourishes extremely well in this part of the county.
The county between this place and Redruth, has long been celebrated for its numerous mines, some of which have produced a golden harvest for their proprietors, and have given employment to many hundred persons.
In the midst of them stands Camborne, which has in consequence become a considerable market town, and has four fairs annually. The market-house was erected at the expense of Lord de Dunstanville.
The Church is an antient fabric, and contains some elegant memorials of the Pendarves family, a handsome marble altar-piece, and a curious carved stone pulpit; but its antient font has been removed to the gardens at Tehiddy. According to the late returns, the population of Camborne is stated at 6219, or an increase of 1005, during the last 10 years.