Mark Sampson was born in Gwennap in 1665 into a family that had interests in various mining and associated processing enterprises. In 1693 his father, in declining health, transferred his assets and obligations to Mark and his sister. I have copy documentation in which it is stated that soon after this conveyance Mark was sent to prison "for some years".

Married in 1692, I have found record of him having children in 1693, 1695, 1700, 1702 and 1704. A further child was buried in 1699.

In 1731 he was described as " a man having great dealings in tynworkes and tyn dealings". 1732 saw him excommunicated after an altercation with the local vicar which included an element of violence and for which he would not apologise, and in 1737 he had to defend himself against a claim by a descendant of a creditor of his father that a debt remained unpaid.

I am keen to discover more about his imprisonment and would welcome any hint or suggestion as to where, why and by whom he may have been incarcerated.