Pensilva, like Minions, evolved in response to the mining activity taking place on the nearby moorland. When South Caradon needed accommodation for its workers, which by 1860 had reached 600 men, the area round the existing farm at Pensilva was developed. Pensilva is located in a very pretty valley with a rich farming, quarrying and geological history. Silver, lead, wolfram, copper, and arsenic were all minedin the surrounding area.
Within a few years cottages and smallholdings were built, in all around 250 dwellings, and shortly afterwards shops and small businesses arrived. There were three chapels, but only one public house, which was also a hotel, providing accommodation for visiting inspectors and adventurers.
Pensilva is one of the most important industrial settlements in Cornwall because of its evolution. Smallholding plots were fitted into a relatively small settlement area. A nucleated centre also developed showing today the settlement patterns used by 19th century landowners, industrialists and workers.
The benefactress Emily Hobhouse (1860-1926) came from Pensilva. A woman of great faith, she travelled the world helping needy people. In India she founded spinning and weaving schools; in South Africa she started a fund for miners' families. Emily's mother was a Trelawney and her father was an archdeacon. She successfully reformed against deprivation, poverty and hunger. For more information see the biography To Love One's Enemies by Jennifer Hobhouse Balme.
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