Thomas Family Page
- Ann Thomas
- Edward Thomas
- Children of Edward Thomas & Mary Llewellyn
- Children of Ann Thomas and John Williams
- Mary Thomas
- Siamps Thomas
- Sir William James Connection - updated 2021
- Chart Showing Connections
- Hollingshead Case
- Revised Chart
Ann Thomas Top of the page
Ann THOMAS, my great-great grandmother, was born 28 May 1853 at Dinas Glamorgan.She was the daughter of Edward THOMAS and Margaret LLEWELLYN In 1861 Ann is recorded with her family at Troedyrhiw but in 1871 she is working as a domestic servant for James THOMAS and his daughter, Elizabeth. Also working for him is Ann's sister Margaret Jane, dairymaid and their mother Margaret. Margaret's role is described as housekeeper and her status as married. Ann's brother Watkin is also living there, he is recorded as a boarder and working as coal miner.
Ann married John (Ioan) WILLIAMS on 20th December 1873 in Pontypridd, Wales.John and Ann had three daughters, Mary Ann, Rachel and Louisa, before emigrating to USA. In 1879 they boarded the SS Republic at Liverpool bound for New York arriving on 8 August 1879. They are recorded on the 1880 USA census at Medina in Ohio. Three more daughters are born in Ohio: Sarah Jane, Margaret Mary and Edith. Their only son Benjamin Harrison was born at Kelly's Ferry, Tennessee in 1889. The family came back to Wales. Reasons and exact dates are uncertain. Family story suggests that John sent Ann back home to visit family in Wales and once back with the family she refused to go back out to America. It is possible that Ann returned with the baby Benjamin leaving the girls with John in Tennessee. There is a passenger record for a Williams family of girls returning on SS New York in 1891, the names and ages are all mixed up and Louisa's name is not included. The passenger list names Rachel 15 spinster, Maggie 18 spinster, M A 10 child, Sarah 2 child and Edith 3 child. When John returned is unknown but he and Ann are living at 2 penline Street in Cardiff by 1901 with daughters sarah, Maggie and Edith and son benjamin (Bennie). Rachel had married Hubert EMBRY in 1897 and their daughter Olive, 3 is living with John and Ann. in 1911 they are at 17 Agate Street. Ann records that she has been married for 37 years and had 7 children, six still living. Ben is a seaman on a steam ship but with them for the census and Maria Elsie Embry, granddaughter aged 10 (daughter of Rachel and Hubert). In 1921 they are in Orbit Street, Ann is 68 years 1 month old and with them they have their grandson Freddie WRIGHT 18years 5 months old and working as a galley boy. he is the son of Mary Ann who died in 1918 leaving a husband and 5 young children. John died in 1924. In 1939 Ann is now incapacitated and is living with her grand daughter Maria Gee (Embry) at 99 Harriet Street. Ann died in 1942. See Williams Family History
Edward Thomas Top of the page
Edward THOMAS was baptised on 7th May 1813 at Llantrisant, Glamorganshire. He was the son of Edward and Mary THOMAS. Edward married Margaret LLEWELLYN, The marriage probably took place in Llantrisant and probably between 1833 and 1839. I have traced 8 children born to Edward and Margaret: Robert, Mary, Ann, Jane, Alice, Watkin Edward, Ann and Margaret Jane. In 1841 Edward and Jane are living at Dinas, Edward is 25 and working as a collier. Margaret is aged 25, Robert 3 and Mary 1. Living with them is Robert ARNOLD, 15 collier and David THOMAS, 20 weaver. They are living in cottages at Craig Ddu, Llantrisant in 1851. Edward is recorded as a coalminer aged 37, Margaret is 36, on Robert is aged 12 and a coalminer. They also have 4 daughters living with them: Mary 8, Ann 6, Jane 2 and Alice aged 9 months, also recorded is Margaret's brother, Watkin LLEWELLYN unmarried aged 18, coalminer. Now living at Troedyrhiw, in 1861 Edward is working as a haulier, with him is his wife Margaret, son Robert unmarried 22 coal miner, daughter Mary unmarried 18 scholar, son Watkin 9 scholar, daughter Ann 6 scholar and Margaret Jane daughter aged 4. (daughter Ann recorded on the 1851 census has died and a second daughter named Ann was born to Edward and Margaret in 1853) Margaret is recorded on the 1871 census in the Troedyrhiw household of James THOMAS, head, widower, 54, colliery proprietor and his daughter Elizabeth, unmarried, 17 , dressmaker. (see the Sir William James Thomas Connection). Margaret is recorded as married, 35, housekeeper. Three of Margaret's children appear on the census with her: Ann, servant, unmarried, 16, domestic servant; Margaret J, servant, unmarried, 14, dairymaid; Watkin, boarder, unmarried,19, coalminer. In 1881 Margaret is still working as a housekeeper to James Thomas, head, widower, coal proprietor employing 600 men. Margaret's age is given as 67 and her status as married, they are living at Mount Pleasant with Sarah WOOLCOAT servant, unmarried, 17. I do not have death dates for either Edward or Margaret, There is an Edward Thomas, boarder, aged 69 living at 9 River Row Ystradyfodwg in 1881, with a Phillips family his occupation is given as haulier but his status as widower.
Children of Edward Thomas and Margaret Llewellyn Top of the page
Robert was born about 1839 in Llantrisant. He is recorded, aged 3, in 1841 living at Dinas Llantrisant with his parents Edward and Margaret and his sister Mary aged 1. There are two borders living in the household with the family. 10 years later in the 1851 census Robert is already working as a coalminer. The family are living at Craig Ddu Cottages and With Edward, Margaret and Robert are Mary 8, Ann 6, Jane 2 and Alice aged 9 months plus Margaret's brother Watkin LLEWELLYN, unmarried, aged 18 working as a coalminer. In 1861 Roberrt is living at Troedyrhiw with his parents and Mary plus brother Watkin 9, and sisters Ann 6 and Margaret Jane 4. I have no more positive identification of Robert, by the time of the next census his mother Margaret is living apart from Edward and working as a housekeeper to James Thomas and Robert is not recorded there with her. There is a record of a Robert Thomas of the right age being killed in a mine accident at the Wyndham Pit, Cwmogwr on 2 March 1868, buried two days later. The newspaper report of the accident
Mary was born at Llantrisant in 1841. She was the eldest daughter of Edward THOMAS and Margaret LLEWELLYN. She appears on the 1841 census for Dinas, Llantrisant with her parents and older brother Robert. In 1851 the family is living in a cottage at Craig Ddu , Llantrisant and Robert and Mary have been joined by Ann, Jane and Alice. The address is just given as Troedyrhiw in 1861, Ann, Jane and Alice are no longer with the family but they have been joined by a brother Watkin and another sister given the name of Ann and a sister called Margaret Jane. In 1863 Mary marries Evan THOMAS on 14 February 1863 at Pontypridd. By 1971 they have four children living with them at Ystrayfodwg: Thomas, John, Elizabeth and Catherine. They also have a servant girl Mary A EVans and 3 colliers who are lodging with them. In 1881 at Troedyrhiw, Evan is now recorded as a coal miner. They now have 3 more children: Mary A, Jane and Edward. By 1891 Evan and Mary have parted and Mary is now living at 31 Riverside, Cardiff and is recorded as head of the household aged 48. Living with her is her daughter Elizabeth (single 23 shop assistant), William son (single 17 hair dressers apprentice), Mary A daughter (single 15 scholar), Jane daughter ( single 13 scholar), Edward son (10 scholar), Maggie daughter (8 scholar), James THOMAS (boarder widower 74 colliery labourer) see also 1891 census for Margaret Llewellyn)- Edith M ROBLIN visitor (single 12) - Edith is the daughter of Mary's sister Margaret Jane and her husband Thomas ROBLIN. In 1901 Mary is living at Cross Farm, Llanedarne with James Thomas who is recorded as an uncle, widower aged 84 colliery proprietor (employer). Mary is recorded as head of the household, widow aged 53. Elizabeth HOLLINGSHEAD, daughter 32 _ see Hollingshead case_ William Thomas son single 26 farm bailiff, Jane Thomas daughter single 23, Edward Thomas son single 20 clerk in coal office, Margaret Thomas daughter single 18, Janet Thomas granddaughter 7, (daughter of John Thomas and Susannah DAVIES) Minnie Wolsey servant single 24 domestic cook, Ellen Casey servant single housemaid domestic John Jones servant single 21 groom and John Thomas servant 14 stable boy and help. James (Siamps) Thomas died in 1901 and Mary goes to live at 27 Howard Gardens, Cardiff. In 1911. she is recorded as a widow of private means. Son Edward and his wife and family are living with her and a family named TURNER are visiting. Mary records that she had 11 children of which 8 are still living. In 1921 Mary is still living at Howard Gardens she is 78years and 6 months old a widow. Her daughter Elizabeth has remarried and she and her husband, William B TUCKER, and daughter Mary are living there too. Mary has moved to 66 Partridge Road, Cardiff by 1931 when she died on 19th January. Probate was granted to Thomas Thomas, coal foreman and John Thomas, retired farmer. Effects £524 14s 6d. - see Sir William James Thomas Connection
Ann was born at Llantrisant in 1845 and died sometime between 1851 and 1853. She appears on the 1851 census with her Parents and siblings. In 1853 another daughter was born to Edward and Margaret named Ann.
Jane was born in Llantrisant about 1849. She appears on the 1851 census living at Craig Ddu Cottages with her parents and siblings and that is the last record I have of her. It is possible that Ann, Jane and Alice all succumbed to illness some time between the years 1851 and 1861.
Alice appears on the 1851 census living at Craig Ddu Cottages with her parents and siblings and that is the last record I have of her. It is possible that Ann, Jane and Alice all succumbed to illness some time between the years 1851 and 1861.
Watkin Edward was born about 1852 at Llantrisant, Glamorganshire. In 1861 he is living with his parents and siblings at Troedyrhiw. In 1871 he is recorded as a boarder at Troedyrhiw with his mother. Watkin married Elizabeth WILLIAMS at Llantrisant in 1874. In 1881 Watkin, 27 collier and Elizabeth,25 are living at Ystradyfodwg next door to or near the Isha Public House. They have a daughter Margaret, 5 and Isaac HUGHES 24, coal miner is boarding with them. By 1901 Watkin has moved to Cardiff and is living at 29 Eclipse Street. His first wife has died and Watkin is remarried, his new bride is Elizabeth HAMER from Abergavenny. They have a young daughter Ethel aged 9 months. Watkin is recorded on the workhouse register for outdoor paupers in Roath Ward in 1906. It is noted that he has a wife and 3 children, his age is 52 and the address given as 12 Emerald Street. He is given 4/- for food for his wife, who is ill, and 3 children. The 1911 census shows that he is living at 30 Emerald Street. He and Elizabeth have been married for 12 years and have 3 children all living: Ethel 10, Isabella 8 and Maud 5. Watkin and Elizabeth have moved to 1 Cecil Street by 1921. Watkin's age is given as 68y 6m and he works as a coal trimmer. Elizabeth is 53y 9m and has home duties, Isabella is 18y 11m and also has home duties and Maud has Maud 15y 5m. Watkin died in Cardiff in 1932.
Ann - my great, great grandmother - see Ann Thomas
Margaret Jane was born at Llantrisant about 1857. She was the youngest child of Edward THOMAS and Margaret LLEWELLYN.In 1861 she is living at Troedrhiw with her parents and siblings but in 1871 she is working as a dairymaid servant to James THOMAS and his daughter Elizabeth alongside her mother who is a housekeeper and sister Ann a domestic servant. Brother Watkin is recorded as a boarder and coal miner. In 1874 Margaret Jane marries Thomas ROBLIN at Pontypridd. They have three children: John Thomas born 1875, Edith Mary born 1878 and Isaac born 1880 - died 1881. I cannot find Margaret or Thomas on 1881 census. In 1891 Margaret is a visitor at Mount Pleasant, Troedrhiw with a family named Hawkins. Son John is a boarder there and working as a coal miner. In 1901 Margaret is with Thomas again at 31 Zinc Street, Cardiff. Margaret died at Cardiff in 1903 and Thomas in 1905.
Children of John Williams and Ann Thomas Top of the page
Mary Ann was born in 1874 in Porth, Glamorganshire. In 1879 she emigrated from Wales to USA with her parents and lived in Ohio and Tennessee before returning to Wales in 1891. In 1901 she married William WRIGHT in Cardiff and they had five children: Freddie, William, Richard, Charles and Gwennie. Mary died in 1918.
Rachel was born in Ynyshir on 17 November 1876. She too emigrated from Wales to USA with her parents and lived in Ohio and Tennessee. Rachel known to me as Gran EMBRY told us how, as a child she remembered hearing the news of the deaths of Billy the Kid and Jesse James. She also told of seeing the great paddle steamers cruising along the Tennessee River. Kelly's Ferry, where the family lived in Tennessee was on the banks of the Tennessee River below Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Gran Embry would row across the river to deliver tobacco and other provisions to people living on the opposite side. Rachel returned home to Wales in 1891. On 7 August 1897 she married Hubert William EMBRY at Penarth, Glamorganshire. See EMBRY family History.
Louisa was born 21 March 1879 at Porth, Glamorganshire. She emigrated from Wales to USA with her parents and lived in Ohio and Tennessee before returning to Wales in 1891. In 1901 Louisa is working as a parlour maid at Sutherland Avenue, Paddington, London to the SALMON family. She married William BUSH in 1904 in Cardiff and they went to live in Grosvenor Place, London where Willie was working as a caretaker in 1911. They moved back to Cardiff and in 1939 are living at 10 Orbit Street and Willie is working as a church caretaker. St Germans Church was at the end of the street and the church or church hall was bombed one night during WWII and Willie and Louisa had to be pulled from the rubble but they were unharmed apart from a few bruises. Louisa and Willie had one son John Alexander BUSH. Louisa died 4 December 1963.
Sarah Jane was born 12 October 1881 in Ohio. She came across to Wales with her siblings in 1891 and in 1901 she is living with her parents in Penlline Street, Cardiff and working as a dressmaker. On 12 April 1906 she married Edwin George WEBBER. George worked as a milling machinist and they went to live at 50 Keppoch Street, Cardiff. They lived there for the rest of their married lives. Sarah died on 23 January 1955 she left effects of £1500 9s 9d to her husband.
Margaret May (Maggie May) was born on 5 November 1883 at Byesville Ohio. She came to Wales with her siblings in 1891 and in 1901 is living with her parents at Penlline Street Cardiff and working as a shop assistant. On 14 September 1909 she married Allman Victor J. MATHIAS in Cardiff and in 1911 they are living at The Grove, Rumney in a house they have named “Byesville”. Allman is working in a flour mill. By 1939 they have moved to “Farvu” 150 Wenallt Road and Allman died later that year. Louisa continued to live there for the rest of her life and died on 4th March 1969. She left £412. They had two children Allman and Margaret. Allman, known as Jimmy joined the RAF during WWII and spent some time in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.
Edith was born in 1886 in Ohio and came to Cardiff with her siblings in 1891. In 1901 she is living with her parents at Penlline Street, Cardiff and working as a shop assistant. Apparently poor Edith only had one lung and she died in 1910 aged 23 years.
Benjamin Harrison was born on 26 December 1889 at Kelly’s Ferry Tennessee but came to Wales with his siblings in 1891. He is a young boy living with his parents at Penlline Street, Cardiff in 1901 and has moved with them to Agate Street by 1911 when he is recorded as being a seaman on steamships. He gained his 2nd Mate Certificate in 1915 enabling him to work on foreign going steamships and his 1st Mate certificate in 1918. In 1917 he had married Bridgette Winifred GODFREY and a son Godfrey John was born to them in 1919. Benjamin continued to serve in the Merchant Navy up until his death in 1943 – see Benjamin Harrison Williams.
James "Siamps" Thomas
James was a well respected man and employer throughout his life. He was still working as a collier when he married Elizabeth HARRIS, a farmers daughter at Mynyddislan on 12 November 1939. Despite very little education James was keen to get on in life and worked his way up through different jobs in the coal mines to ones of responsibility. He was also very thrifty and by 1850 had saved enough to buy his first colliery The Troedyrhiw Pit at Porth, Glamorganshire. He went on to buy two more pits near Porth, The Tynewydd and Ynysfeio as well as Energlen near Caerphilly. He now employed hundreds of men in his mines. Throughout the next twenty years or so James wealth grew but he remained, steadfast, hard working and humble. He had respect for his workers and when he acquired the Ynyshir and Standard colleries he made sure that the houses built for his workers were weatherproof and comfortable.
James and Elizabeth had six children: Thomas, Rachel, James, Elizabeth and Ruth. Mary Ann. In 1841 James and Elizabeth are living at Mynyddislan close to the New Bethel Chapel with their son Thomas James THOMAS. in 1851 James is visiting at the Waterloo Public House at Penmaen hamlet. Mary and John THOMAS publican. Meanwhile Elizabeth is at Troedyrhiw with Thomas 10, Rachel 8 and Mary 6. Ann EDWARDS 18 is working as a house servant for them and John WATKINS 20 collier is boarding with them. Elizabeth died on 11 April 1860 2 weeks after their daughter Ruth was born. James moves to Mount Pleasant where he resides in 1861 with his children Thomas 20 colliery manager, Rachel 18, Mary Ann 15 scholar and Elizabeth 7 scholar. James is recorded as a widower and colliery proprietor. In 1871 he is living at Troedyrhiw with his daughter Elizabeth a dressmaker. My great-great-great grandmother Margaret THOMAS (LLEWELLYN) is working for him as a housekeeper but he has also taken in her 3 youngest children: Ann (my great great grandmother) domestic servant; Margaret Jane a dairy maid and Watkin described as a boarder and working as a collier. James is still at Mount Pleasant in 1881 described as a coal mine proprietor emplying 600 men and just Margaret Thomas housekeeper living with him. In 1891 James is recorded as a boarder at 31 Riverside, (Fitzhamond Embankment) aged 74 widower and colliery labourer. Mary Thomas (daughter of Margaret Thomas) is head of household 48 and married and her daughter Elizabeth single 23 shop assistant, William son single 17 hair dressers apprentice, Mary A daughter single 15 scholar, Jane daughter single 13 scholar, Edward son 10 scholar, Maggie daughter 8 scholar and Edith M ROBLIN visitor single 12. Edith M Roblin is the daughter of Mary's younger sister Margaret Jane Thomas and her husband Thomas Roblin. Mary is married to Evan THOMAS but they have bee leading separate lives for some time. The three youngest children recorded on this census Jane, Edward and Maggie, are presumed to be Mary's children buy James Siamps Thomas. James moves with Mary to Cross Farm Llanedarne. James has turned his interest to farming, buying several farms in the area. He is recorded in the 1901 census as "Uncle" widower 84 colliery proprietor and employer. Mary is a widow and head of the household. Living with them are Mary's children Elizabeth Hollingshead 32, William Thomas single 26 farm bailiff, Jane Thomas daughter single 23, Edward Thomas son single 20 clerk in coal office, Margaret Thomas daughter single 18. Mary's granddaughter Janet Thomas, daughter of John Thomas is also living with them along with servants and stable boy.
James died at Cross Farm in 1901 after being ill for a short time. His funeral was one of thre largest ever seen in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire. He is buried at Mynyddislan and his grave is adorned by a very large statue looking out over the Valley.
Sir William James Thomas Connection
My mother always believed that we were related to Sir William James Thomas somehow. I have been trying to unravel the connection for years and below is what I published on this page when I first set up the website. I believe I have finally got to the bottom of a a myriad of Thomas and their intertwined lives and relationships and discovered new skeletons in the cupboard on the way! See Sir William James Thomas Connection and Hollingshead Case and the accompanying charts at the top of the page.
It is believed that Ann may have had a sister Mary. There is a rumour in the family that Mary was the mother of Sir William James Thomas of Ynyshir, Glamorgan. I have not been able to prove or deny this belief in all of my research so far. The family descendants of Sir William James Thomas do not know of any link and the "Who's Who" entry for the family names his mother as Jane Phillips
Ann did have an older sister Mary (see children of Edward and Margaret Thomas)but she was not the mother of Sir William james, that was indeed Jane Phillips. Mary was the daughter of Margaret Thomas, housekeeper to Siamps and was more that likely his unmarried partner and he was possibly father to mary's youngest three children. Of a link between these two THOMAS families I am certain (though it may not be a blood link). Sir William James Thomas's grandfather , James Thomas was the owner of the Tynewydd Pit which suffered the inundation in 1877 and for which John Williams was awarded the Albert Medal for his part in the rescue of the trapped miners.
The link turned out to be through Ann's sister Mary and her association with SiampsThomas.
Census records suggest that Sir William James Thomas was orphaned at an early age and brought up by his grandfather, James Thomas. Upon his death James Thomas bequeathed his fortune to his grandson. I have come to believe that the link between the two families may be through the grandfather, James Thomas and his housekeeper who could well have been Anne's sister.
See above
It may be that Mary Thomas was a housekeeper to James Thomas and so had a part in the upbringing of Sir William James. I have been told that John Williams was asked to ride in the carriage with Sir William James on a procession through Cardiff when the rescuers from Tynewydd were awarded their medals, etc. This story must be mixed up somewhat as Sir William James Thomas would have been only 11 years old at that time and I think the medal etc were presented elsewhere. There is probably some truth in the story but I think it is more likely that John Williams was asked to ride in procession with Sir William James Thomas when he was presented with the Freedom of the City of Cardiff.
This carriage ride was probably as part of the Funeral procession for james (Siamps) Thomas. Newspaper accounts state that John Williams was indeed in one of the many carriages but not in the same one as Sir William
Gran Embry (Rachel Williams) certainly knew the family as when later in life she was told that Sir William's son was living near to us she stated that she would like to meet him again.
Gran Embry (Rachel Thomas) met her future husband at Cross Farm. They met in a field there as Gran was on her way to visit Siamps and Eddie. I am not sure why Granshir was there maybe the Embry family were still living at Cross Farm or had just sold it to Siamps.
PS: I did come across several of Mary Thomas' descendants through DNA links and several of the links were to Jane Thomas, believed to be the daughter of Siamps. These links also cleared up another little mystery attached to the connection. I had been told that Sir William James Thomas had left something to my great-great grandfather, John Williams in his will. I purchased a copy of the will early in my research but of course ther was no mention of John or Ann Thomas. One of the people I contacted through the DNA matches was able to tell me 25 years later, that John Williams had been a beneficary in James Siamps Thomas's will. Another example of family stories getting mixed up.
Gallery
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Ann Thomas on her wedding Day |
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Ann Williams (nee Thomas) with her
daughter, grandaughter and great-grandaughters |