FelRh035.doc 10.07.2002 (26.9.1813 – 21.11.1882)
RICHARD DAVIES-THE HOLYHEAD CONNECTION
Richard Davies was the 2nd son (3rd child) of Margaret Richard & David Williams. He was born at Hafoty, Croesor-the home of his grandparents Margaret Lloyd & William Lewis- at some time. He was brought up at Ty Newydd Caeglâs. He was likely named after his maternal grandfather, Richard Jones of Ffridducha, Rhyd ddu.
The letter from Janet Elson & Edgar Parry Williams revealed that Richard Davies ( a brother to William & Griffith Davies (1) ) lived in Holyhead and had raised 5 children ; this sent Robin to investigate the 1881 census. The names and address given made it possible to proceed further. Here, the story is confirmed by Sheelagh. The information gleaned is presented in chronological order.
1851 family found at 32 Rock Street, Holyhead thanks to a hard copy available in the Llangefni Record Office. They are all marked as born in Amlwch - presumably because the enumerator was on auto-pilot following the previous entry.
Richard Davies head married 37 labourer
Jane `` wife `` 33
Griffith `` son unmarried 4
Margaret `` daughter `` 2
1861 - at 4 Cambria Terrace, Grocery Shop
Richard Davies h m 47 grocer born Llanfrothen
Jane w m 44 `` Llechylched
Griffith s u 13 scholar `` Lancaster - Liverpool
Marg. d u 12 `` `` Holyhead
Richard s u 9 `` `` ``
Jane Ann d u 4 `` `` ``
1871 - much of Holyhead census missing at PRO
1881 - at 25 Cambria Street
Richard Davies h m 66 labourer & grocer Llanfrothen
Jane w m 62 Llangefni
Richard s u 29 railway clerk Holyhead
Ellen d u 20 housekeeper ``
David s u 17 r’way number taker ``
Note that this now gives a total of 6 children!
1882 burial at Maeshyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead of Richard Davies, aged 68, grocer, of 17 Cambria Terrace who died 21.11.1882 - unfortunately no memorial stone
1885 - the baptism on 14th September in St. Cybi’s Church of Gwladys daughter of Jane Ann Davies, Cambria Terrace
1891 - at 17 Old Cambrian Terrace
Jane Davies h widow 73 grocer (employer) Llangefni
Griffith s u 43 gardener(employed) Holyhead
Richard s u 39 r’way clerk `` ``
Gladys niece u 6 scholar ``
1901 - at 50 Cambria Street
Jane Davies h w 82 Llangefni
Griffith s u 53 chartered accountant (own account) Lancs. Liverpool
Richard s u 49 railway clerk employed Holyhead
Ellen d u 40 at home ``
Gwladys grandd. u 15 ``
1917 - burial of Jane Davies aged 98 of 50 Cambria Street on 5.1.1917
1919 - burial of Richard Davies aged 67 of 50 Cambria Street on 14.2.1919
1937 - burial of Ellen Davies spinster aged 76 of 50 Cambria Street on 24.1.1937
Richard & Jane Davies were buried in the same plot - no gravestone
Richard and Ellen their children were buried together in another plot - unfortunately there is no headstone here either!
There remain a number of questions and observations viz;-
1. So far no record has been found of Griffith’s death. The first available electoral roll for H’head post 1901 is that of 1919 when only Richard is registered at 50 Cambria St so it can be assumed that Griffith had died or moved away, although that does not explain why Ellen is not registered. The franchise was extended to women over 30 in 1918 but this roll may have been prepared early - note that Richard appears on the list although he died in February 1919.
2. Between 1891 and 1901 Griffith has changed occupation - from gardener to chartered accountant with his own practice. It may therefore be possible to trace him through a trade directory...
3. Griffith’s birthplace is consistently given as Liverpool and as his parents’ marriage has not been found in the marriage notice book under Llangefni or Llechylched. It may be that they were married in Liverpool –circa 1846. A trawl through the St. Catherine’s Index should hopefully turn something up.
4. Who were Jane’s family at Llechylched ? All the possible Janes christened in there have been noted in readiness for the search.
5. An attempt will also be made to find the marriage of a Gwladys Davies post 1901 ( ca. 1911 - age 25) just in case we find a branch of the family still living in Holyhead!!
6. Gwladys was born to Jane Ann Davies . Gwladys is likely to be the illegitimate daughter that Janet Elson mentions – but not names- in her letter. A request in the Gwynedd Roots might reveal something.
7. Where was Richard Davies in 1841 (aged 28)-possibly in Tanygrisiau or Liverpool.?. Also where was he between leaving Croesor ca.1820’s and 1841?
8. It would appear that none of Jane & Richard Davies’s children married.