A side issue to the Reay family history is, who was Lucy Sands?
Lucinda (Lucy) Sands, a 17 year old, born in Ireland in 1865, was found murdered in North Side, Workington in March 1882, under a pile of stones by a road-mender. She had last been seen alive in December 1881. (Maryport Advertiser, 31 Mar 1882. et al.)
She had been living at 2 Christian Street, Workington, with her brother James Henry Sands, and an Esther Rea, widow, also born in Ireland. In the 1881 census return, James Henry and Lucy are described as grandchildren of Esther. (RG11/5176. F84, P29.) James Henry and Lucy’s parents were found to be William John Sands and Mary Stewart who had been married in Belfast at the Presbyterian Church on Great Georges Street in December 1863. (Irish Genealogy.ie ;3326824) There is no trace of the parents in census records in England.
Also living at the address at Christian St was a Sarah Stewart, described as a widow, in her 60’s, born in Ireland, possibly a sister-in-law of Lucy’s mother Mary. In the 1891 census, Sarah continued to live at 2 Christian St, as did Lucy’s brother James Henry. They are described as Head (of household) and Grandson. (RG12/4304. F56, P27.)
James Henry Sands died in July 1936 at his long-term digs, 29 Udale St, Workington. He does not appear to have married. (Q3 1936 Cockermouth 10B 623.)
At the inquest into Lucy’s death, evidence was given by ‘our’ James Rea(y), (b 1831) of 42 Kings St, Workington, that he was second cousin to Lucy, and that he was one of the last members of the family to speak to Lucy alive, prior to her going out on the fateful night.
At the following court hearing, two local youths were charged with her murder, but were found not guilty.
Earlier, in the 1871 census, (RG10/5242. F45, P3.) Esther Rea is shown as living at The Row, with others of our Rea(y) family, and it is thought that widow Sarah Stewart was likely a Rea, married in Northern Ireland, prior to her arrival in Workington, but I have not yet worked out who was the common ancestor to ‘our’ and Lucy’s family.
