On 25 May 1819, at Bodmin Court of Sessions, Maria's brother, Henry, in response to their father's will, made the following claim (abridged):
"Mr Wallis there was a will proved in your Court lately. The testator was my father Henry Gundry late of St. Earth. The property was given to my mother Mary Gundry. There was a codicil attached to the will but my brother Thomas Gundry destroyed the codicil in order that the property mentioned on the codicil might fall into his hands.
My mother made oath before Mr. Gurney that father died not worth £100.... The property my father kept is £90 a year, one quarter of Bosworgy estate formerly belonging to Miss Jane Davys now in possession of my brother T Gundry. It is £30 a year, an estate in Kerton Wood, and £20 a year in the parish of Mawnan? let to rent. My father left besides furniture and cattle. My mother knew this perfectly well.
Since the will is proved my brother has got my mother to give the property to him at her death as a deed and he has ordered his sister Maria Banfield to quit the premises given to her on the codicil. I wish you would make my mother prove in Court a copy of the codicil for the copy is in the hands of my sister Maria Banfield.... My brother had of father in his lifetime £3,000 for my father was rich.
If you want any futher information of me, write me and you shall have it.
Yours,
Henry Gundry." 2
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In 1851 Mary Ann [sic] Bamfield, aged 70, born in St. Erth Cornwall, and husband Eli Bamfield, aged 70, born in Uny Lelant Cornwall, blacksmith, were living in Foundery Hill, St. Erth. With them was daughter Mary Elizh. (25) of St. Erth, unmarried, dressmaker.
In 1861 Maria Banfield, aged 80, born in St. Erth, widow, was living in Foundry Hill, St. Erth Cornwall.
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Maria Banfield of Phillack died aged 88 years (burial record).
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