William Rouffignac (1769-1832)

The Rouffignac name in Cornwall, spelled as such (sometimes Rouffignack), only exists in Cornwall in the (presumably one) family based in Paul. The de Rouffignacs were Huguenot refugees from France. William married his first wife Roger (also known as Prudence) in 1796. They had three sons, William (1797), John (1799) and Philip (1802). Prudence died a few days after giving birth to Philip ('caught cold a few days after lying in') and was buried on the same day her newborn son was baptised, 17 January 1802. Three months later William, with three boys aged 5, 3 and 3 months, married widow Ruth Waters, with three children aged 6, 5 and 3. William died in the cholera epidemic of 1832. By 1841 his widow Ruth was living with her married daughter Ruth Blewett.