Rees Williams (1855) [No Longer Considered a Match]

William's son Rees was likely living at 8 Upper St, Dowlais in 1871 with the Henry Jones family, working as a grocer's apprentice.

Dowlais Cholera Epidemics

Dowlais, along with many areas in Wales, experienced cholera epidemics that took the lives of many Welsh during the hot summers of 1849,1854 and 1866. Given that William's daughter Eleanor was shown in the 1851 census but none after, and son William was shown on the 1861 census but none after, it is possible that Eleanor died in the 1854 epidemic, and William in 1866. Merely a wild conjecture, but could later prove to be true. I will try to determine if there is any record of our Williams ancestors buried in the Pant Cemetery, a huge cemetery to the north of Dowlais. Hopefully this endeavor will provide more concrete birth and death dates, thus aiding my continued search.

10/27/08 I discovered that Eleanor actually died in November 1852 and was buried at the cemetery of St. John the Baptist Church in Dowlais, where her parents were married and her mother was later laid to rest. There was no record of William's or any other relatives' burial at this church.

Edward Williams of Llanddewi Brefi [No Longer Considered a Match]

According to a 11 Mar 1845 UK General Registrar Office marriage certificate, a William Williams and Mary Griffiths were married in the Dowlais Church in Glamorganshire, Wales. William's father was listed as Edward and Mary's as Thomas. Unfortunately the age of William and Mary was just listed as "of full age," so there is still some uncertainty. That said, William and Mary's first son was named Edward, and he was born in 1846, the year after this particular marriage. William and Mary were married by a E. Jenkins, and the marriage witnesses were a Joseph Davies and Margaret Morgan. Everyone but Jenkins left their mark, indicating that they were illiterate. William's profession was listed as a labourer.

A fellow Cardiganshire researcher, named Annie, discovered that a Edward Williams and Mary Edwards who were married 20 Dec 1812 in Llanddewi Brefi had a son who was born 29 Jan 1816, but the son's name was not listed. Since William was born c1816, it is plausible that this could be his parents.