Davies in Aberdare
Dear Ernie,
I think I have found the person you are looking for. This is the household that he appears in in the 1851 Census for Aberdare (in Glamorganshire, Wales):
2460 1851 CENSUS OF FFORCHAMAN (PART). REF.H.O.107/2460, E.D.2H.
Piece: 2460 Folio: 251 Schedule: 147
Address: 147 ABERAMAN ROAD
The Head of the family was JOHN DAVIES 31, a COLLIER who was born in HAYTON [HAROLDSTON], PEMBROKESHIRE (c1820). His wife was ANN DAVIES, 29, also born in PEMBROKESHIRE, in FREYSTROP (c1822). They had four children living in the house in 1851, JAMES DAVIES, 6 SCHOLAR, born JOHNSTON, PEMBROKESHIRE (c1845), JOHN DAVIES 5, born ABERDARE, GLAMORGANSHIRE (c1846), WILLIAM DAVIES, 3 born ABERDARE, GLAMORGANSHIRE (c1848), MARY DAVIES 1, born PENDERYN, BRECONSHIRE (c1850).
There were also two lodgers in the house:
WILLIAM JOHN, 23 COLLIER , born in Pembrokeshire - ST.THOMAS [HAVERFORDWEST] (c1828) and JAMES THOMAS, 21 COLLIER, born in PEMBROKESHIRE - ST.THOMAS [HAVERFORDWEST] (c1830)
Although the date of birth is not spot on this is not too much of a problem because the census is notoriously inaccurate about exact dates at this time. He is the only William, with parents John and Ann, living in Aberdare about this time.
Aberdare is close to Merthyr Tydfil which was the largest town in Wales in 1851. Many families moved to the area from rural Wales to find employment. It looks as though your family moved from Pembrokeshire, in the far west of Wales, to Aberdare, about 1845 - after the birth of their first child (they probably lived in Johnston, Pembrokeshire, when they first married). They may have also lived, for a short time, in the little village of Penderyn, just over the border into Breconshire, before moving back to Aberdare (147 Aberaman Road). If they lived in Penderyn they would have heard of Richard Lewis (Dic Penderyn), Wales's First working class martyr, who was hanged in Cardiff for his part in the Merthyr riots of the 1830s.
It is interesting that the lodgers they had were also originally from Pembrokeshire. It was quite common for little communities to develop, within the new industrial towns, made up of people from particular regions - often family or friends from the home district would congregate in a street or house to be close to loved ones or acquaintances.
I hope this is of some help. If you ever wish to visit Wales I provide a service whereby I can design a tour to suit your requirements. For example, I could take you to the places associated with your family. You can find out more about the services I provide at www.dragon-tours.com
Also, should you wish me to obtain any records of your ancestors or do some more tracing, I can also provide that service.
Best Wishes
Dr. Mike Davies
www.dragon-tours.com
----- Original Message -----
From: cardinal1211
To: Mike Davies
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 9:06 PM
Subject: William E. Davies
I am looking for ancestors of William E. Davies who was born Feb. 19, 1846 in Aberdare, Wales. He came to America in 1871. Is Aberdare in Glamorganshire County in Wales? Is he listed in the 1851 census of Glamorganshire County? He was born to John Davies and Anna Owen(s). His brothers and sisters were Thomas, David, George, Jane, Mary, Charles and John. Upon coming to America, he changed his name to Davis. You may contact me, Ernie Davis at [email protected] .
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Re: Davies in Aberdare
Jack Davis 1/07/09