The Thomas Family of Banwen farm, Glanaman
James Thomas (1869-1950) and family - late 1890s
We first meet the Thomas family at Banwen in the parish of Bettws, Carmarthenshire in the 1841 census where
they are all listed as born in the county (all adult ages rounded down to the nearest 5 years):
James Thomas 35 labourer
Anne Thomas 35
David Thomas 15
John Thomas 12
Ann Thomas 10
Esther Thomas 6
Thomas Thomas 3
William Thomas 8 months
In the 1851 census David and Ann have left home. James Thomas is recorded as 51, an agricultural labourer with 63 acres,
born Carmarthenshire, Cydweli - the spelling indicating that the enumerator spoke Welsh. The remainder of the household were born in Bettws parish:
Ann Thomas was 49, John (a coal labourer) 22, Esther 17, Thomas 14, William 11, and lodger Rees Evans 1 year 6 months.
In 1861 James Thomas is at Cwmgrenig Cottage recorded as 63, a labourer born Llangyfelach, Glamorgan with wife Anne (59) born Bettws, Carmarthenshire.
John is no longer with them. Esther (25), Thomas (23) coal miner, William (20) coal miner, Rees Evans, grand son (11) and Daniel Thomas, grand son (5)
are all identified as born Bettws.
By 1871 Anne Thomas is a 69-year-old widow working as a flannel ? and living at part of Cwmgrenig with daughter Esther (32),
similarly employed, son Rees Thomas (21) collier and grandson Daniel Thomas (17) collier.
Thomas Thomas (1836-1896) and Elizabeth Jones (1842-1917)
In 1871 Thomas Thomas (32) coal miner born Bettws Carmarthenshire, Elizabeth Thomas (29) born Llanguicke Glamorgan, and children
Hannah (5), Margaret (4) and James (1) all born Bettws were in Garnant Road, Cwmamman. In the 1881 census Thomas Thomas (44) coal miner is at Banwen with wife Elizabeth (40) (the only one born Glamorgan, Llanguicke)
and James Thomas (12), Daniel (10), Anne (7), Catherine (4) and David (1) born Carmarthen, Bettws. {The death of a Catherine Mary Thomas
aged 15 Llandilofawr 11a 666 is recorded in March 1891 - alternatively she was a servant elsewhere}. In 1891 Thomas (55), Elizabeth (49),
Daniel (19), Annie (16), David (11), Hugh (8) and Margaret A. (5) were at Banwen. By 1901 the widowed Elizabeth was at Brynlloi Cottage with
sons David and Hugh, coal miner hewers.
Esther Thomas (c.1835- )
In the 1881 census Esther Thomas, unm, 40, laborer's daughter is at Cwmgrenig with boarder Rees Evans, unm, 30,
coal miner, both born Carmarthen, Bettws. In 1891 Esther is living on her own means at Cwmgrenig, single 56 with boarder Sarah Hopkins, occupation illegible, single, 23 both
born Carmarthen, Bettws and Welsh-speakers. In 1901 she was again at Cwmgrenig (3 rooms), single 66 with boarder Daniel Thomas, single, 29, coal-miner hewer
on own account, both born and Welsh-speaking.
Hannah Thomas (c.1866-1900)
In 1881 a Hannah Thomas (15) was a farm servant for
John and Ann Lewis at Pistyll Llwyd Isa, near Gellyceidrim; in 1891 a Hannah nee Thomas, 25 born Bettws, is with husband John Gibbs (28) in Pontardawe
with children Thomas J (3) and Jane (1); a Hannah Gibbs died Sep Q 1900 Pontardawe 11a 468}. Thomas John Gibbs married Sarah Louisa Price in June Q 1910
(Pontardawe 11a 1327). They had Elizabeth Hannah Gibbs on the 11th August 1913 (died 1995) who married William R Williams in 1932.
James Thomas (1869-1950 )
In 1891, James Thomas (21) was with his wife Margaret Jane (19) at Penwaun with father-in-law Samuel Jones. The 1901 census shows
James Thomas at Banwen, Widower, 31, Coal-miner hewer on own account; Sarah Thomas, daughter, 9; Catherina, daughter, 8; Thomas, son, 6;
all born Glanamman, speaking Welsh; and Annie Thomas, domestic servant, born Capel Isaac, also Welsh-speaking. Catherina's twin Elizabeth Ann was with her grandparents,
.
Elizabeth Ann Thomas - 1890s
Aelycoed Garden, wartime, Glanaman, Carmarthenshire
Back row (left to right): Thomas Aeron Jones, Daniel Thomas, Emma Phillips, Gwynfor Jones
Middle row (left to right): Nora Jones, Hannah Thomas, Gomer Jones
Fron row (left to right): Catherina and Elizabeth Ann Jones, Sarah Phillips
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