Edward Williams (1825)

Edward Williams (b. c1825, d. bef 1911) was the son of a John Williams and was born in Dowlais, Glamorganshire.

Growing up in Dowlais, it comes as no surprise that Edward worked as an iron puddler at the local ironworks, which supplied iron to the ever expanding railways around the world. At the time the Dowlais Ironworks employed about 6,000 people. As a puddler a chief position in the iron making process, Edward would have been one of the highest paid ironworks employee. That said, he likely still only made a mere 20 shillings a month. This would be about $725/month in 2020 dollars, or only about $8,700 a year. With almost half of that amount going to renting a small cottage, there would have been very little left for all of the other necessities. It is no wonder his son, David, ultimately sought out a better life for the family in America.

On 3 December 1849, Edward's marriage to Harriet Thomas, daughter of John Thomas, at the High Street Chapel was registered. As of 1851, Edward and Harriett lived at 132 Well Street with their daughter Hannah and son David. By 1861, the family lived at 49 Castle Street, with the addition of another daughter, Harriet. In 1871, the family was still at 49 Castle Street, but Hannah was gone, presumably married.

Sometime before 1881, Edward's wife, Harriet, had died and only Edward and daughter, Harriet, were left at the 49 Castle Street home. By 1901, Edward moved in with his daughter Harriet and son-in-law William Hope, who lived at 187 Glandwr Terrace in Ystradyfodwg.

Edward spoke both English and Welsh.

    49 Castle Street was across the street from Capel Hermon. Source

 .  View of Castle Street in 1935. Source