The Ashton family crest by houseofnames.com

Before the Buses

HENRY ASHTON (1877–1953)

Henry was born on 15th August 1877 at Nantyglo in Monmouthshire. He was the son of Edward Ashton and Mary Ann née Summerhill who were married in the summer of 1872.

In the 1871 Census, the Ashton family were living at Coalbrook Vale in Garnvach, Nantyglo (Ref: RG10 Piece 5317 Folio 11 Page 15). Edward’s father was recorded as Thomas, a 67 year-old Coal Miner, and his mother was Ethel née Davies who was aged 50, both parents having been born in Gloucestershire. Edward was 16 years-old, and his siblings were James (aged 17), and Henry (aged 13), all three boys working as Coal Miners. The Summerhill family were also living at Garnvach, Nantyglo (Ref: RG10 Piece 5317 Folio 11 Page 16). Mary Ann was 14 years-old, and her parents were Henry (a 35 year-old Coal Miner), and 34 year-old Jane née Davies who were married in the summer of 1854 in the Crickhowell Registration District. Her siblings were Samuel (aged 12), and Ethel (aged 9).

When the 1881 Census was taken on the night of 3rd April, Edward Ashton and his family are living at Garn Vach in the Aberystruth parish (Ref: RG11 Piece 5240 Folio 54 Page 40). Edward is a 26 year-old Coal Miner, Mary Ann was 24 years-old, and Henry’s siblings were: Ann (aged 7), Rachel (aged 5), and Jane (aged 1). The entire family were said to have been born at Aberystruth. Very sadly, several months after this Census, their daughter Jane passed away, she was just 2 years-old.

Electoral Registers give the Ashton family’s address as Garfield Place, Garn, Nantyglo from 1886 to 1889. They also show that they then moved to Queen Street in Nantyglo, where they are found at no. 77 in the next Census, which was taken on 5th April 1891 (Ref: RG12 Piece 4352 Folio 75 Page 15). Edward was a 35 year-old Coal Miner, and Mary Ann is also said to be 35 years-old, and her birthplace is given as Rhymney, Monmouthshire. Their daughters are 17 year-old Annie and 15 year-old Rachel (whose occupations are both recorded as “Tin Opening”). Their son Henry is already working as a Collier at the age of 13, and three more daughters have been born since the previous Census: Mary Hannah (aged 9), Sarah Jane (aged 7), and Ethel is just 6 weeks old. They also had three more daughters who very sadly all passed away when very young: Florence (1885–1887), Florence (1887–1889), and Edith (1889–1890).

Electoral Registers next show that they moved into the Boot Inn at Nantyglo about 1896, and it was while living there that Edward Ashton passed away at the age of 45 on 12th June 1900. He was buried at the Hermon Baptist Chapel Graveyard, Nantyglo.

Just two weeks after his father’s death, Henry Ashton was involved in a colliery accident, as briefly reported on in the South Wales Gazette of Friday 29th June:

Colliery Accident – On Wednesday evening a young man named Henry Ashton, employed as a miner at North Blaina Colliery received serious injuries to his head, owing to a fall of coal. He was conveyed to his home at Garnvach, Nantyglo, where his injuries were attended to and where he now lies in a precarious condition.

Thankfully, and amazingly, Henry made a full recovery! Nine months later when the 1901 Census was taken on the night of 31st March, the now widowed Mary Ann Ashton née Summerhill is found with three of her children at 1 Boot Row in Nantyglo, the address of the Boot Inn (Ref: RG13 Piece 4934 Folio 79 Page 46). She is now 44 years-old, her son Henry is a 23 year-old Coal Hewer, her daughter Sarah Jane is 19 years-old, and another child has been born since the previous Census, 7 year-old William Edward.

In early 1902, Mary Ann Ashton née Summerhill married her second husband, George Morgan. Electoral Registers show that they stayed at the Boot Inn until at least 1906 when they moved to the Hectare Inn at Nantyglo. After a few years, they relocated to the Vine Inn at Garn Cross in Nantyglo, where they are found in the 1911 Census, although the pub is recorded as the “Vine Tree Inn” (Ref: RG14 Piece 31825 Schedule 211). George was a 56 year-old Licensed victualler who was born at Nantyglo, and Mary Ann was now 54 years-old. Also with them were her son William Edward Ashton (a 16 year-old Coal Miner Hewer), Mary Ann’s widowed son-in-law, John Ellis Humphreys (a 34 year-old Coal haulier below ground who was born at Aberdare in Glamorgan), and a 19 year-old Servant, Lily White, who was born at Bristol.

Also in early 1902, Henry Ashton married Ada Elizabeth née Woolley on 17th February at the church of St. Michael in Abertillery. Electoral Registers record them at 77 Queen Street in Nantyglo from 1904, which is where they are also found in the 1911 Census (Ref: RG14 Piece 31826 Schedule 223). Henry was recorded as a 33 year-old Coal Miner Hewer, and his wife was also said to be 33 years-old. With them is their only son, Edward John, who was born on 6th May 1908 at Nantyglo, and a boarder, Henry Summerhill (Henry Ashton’s cousin), who was a 25 year-old Underground haulier. Henry and Ada also had a daughter, Florence, who was born in 1905, but very sadly she died soon after birth.

Ada Elizabeth Woolley had been born on 15th November 1877 at Lydbrook in Gloucestershire, the daughter of John Woolley (a Coal Miner) and Eliza née White who were married on 2nd May 1872 at Newland in Gloucestershire. In the 1901 Census, the Woolley family were living at 2 Bumble Hole in Blaina (Ref: RG13 Piece 4934 Folio 118 Page 11). John was a 56 year-old Coal Hewer, his wife Eliza was 54 years-old, and Ada was a 23 year-old Housekeeper.

When the 1921 Census was taken on the night of 19th June, George and Mary Ann Morgan are again found at the Vine Inn at Nantyglo (Ref: RG15 Piece 26083 Schedule 192). George is a 67 year-old Licenced Victualler, while Mary Ann is a 65 year-old Private Domestic. Mary Ann’s widowed son-in-law, John Ellis Humphries, is again found with them, and is recorded as a 45 year-old Colliery Haulier with Lancaster & Co.’s Rose Heyworth Colliery at Abertillery. One more person is enumerated with them, Violet Fieldhouse, a 24 year-old Servant who was born at Nantyglo.

Also in the 1921 Census, still living at 77 Queen Street, are Henry and Ada Ashton (Ref: RG15 Piece 26083 Schedule 285). Henry is now 43 years-old, and is working as a Coal Miner with Lancaster & Co.’s Colliery at North Blaina. Ada is now 42 years-old, and their 13 year-old son, Edward John, is still at school.

Electoral Registers show that George and Mary Ann Morgan were still at the Vine Inn until 1924 when George passed away after a short illness on 20th October. He was buried at the Hermon Baptist Chapel Graveyard, Nantyglo.

Electoral Registers and other sources show that Henry Ashton was the Licensee and Manager of the Golden Lion Hotel in Queen Street, Nantyglo from 1925 to 1931. Meanwhile, in the Friday 4th May 1928 issue of the South Wales Gazette, it was reported that Henry Ashton, “the licensee of the Golden Lion Inn, Nantyglo, and a ’bus proprietor” had been elected as the new Chairman of the Nantyglo and Blaina Urban District Council:

New Chairman of Council
The newly elected Chairman to the District Council, Mr. Henry Ashton, is the licensee of the Golden Lion Inn, Nantyglo, and a ’bus proprietor. He has worked 35 years underground at the North Blaina and Beynon collieries until two-and-a-half years ago. He is the son of Mrs. Morgan, Vine Inn, and of the late Mr. Edward Ashton, of the Boot Inn.
Mr. Ashton was Chairman of the District Miners’s Federation in 1923 and 1924, and was Chairman of the North Blaina Lodge for several years, and the Beynon Lodge for one year. He has been connected with Federation work for the past 20 years. He was elected to the District Council on June 5th, 1923, as a representative of the North Ward, and has since been twice re-elected. He married, 26 years ago, Miss Ada Wooley, of Blaenavon, and there is one surviving son.
Mr. Ashton is a member of the West Mon. Assessment Committee. He has served on all the committees connected with the Council, and has been Chairman of the Housing Committee.

The South Wales Gazette of Friday 30th May 1930 reported on new applications that had been made by various companies to operate bus services to the Abertillery area:

The new applications, viz., Ashton’s Garage (four omnibuses) from Bournville to Abertillery, Mr. W. Doyle (one omnibus) from Bournville to Abertillery, Mr. T. R. Jenkins, trading as Reliance Services (16 omnibuses) from Crumlin to Abertillery, submitted to the Council on May 6th were re-submitted, and the deferred application of Messrs. Lewis and James, Ltd., for extension of services to Abertillery, was referred to. The first three named applicants attended and were heard in support of the applications. The applications were considered and a long and general discussion ensued. Proposed by Mr. Hillier, and seconded by Mr. T. J. Davies that the Council defer further consideration of all new applications indefinitely. - An amendment was proposed by Mr. D. Walters and seconded by Mr. Aven that the Council allow Mr. T. R. Jenkins to come through the Abertillery district. - Messrs. D. Walters, Aven, Hayes, H. J. Davies, Woods and Boots (six) voted for the amendment, and Messrs. Hillier, T. J. Davies, Downs, W. F. Walters, Gale, Mytton, Williams, Thomas and Beynon (10) for the proposition. Mr. Morgan did not vote. The proposition was declared carried.

The following year, the Friday 16th October issue of the South Wales Gazette reported on another application by Henry Ashton to operate a bus service, which included a brief history of his company’s operations:

BLAINA APPLICATION
Mr. Henry Ashton, Queen Street, Blaina, applied for a licence for his 'bus service. Objection was made by Mr. E. Charles Jones, Newport, on behalf of the Griffin 'Bus Company; by Mr. Granville West, representing Messrs. Ralph, Ltd; and Mr. L. A. Wallen for Nantyglo and Blaina Council.
Mr. Ashton said he ran the first workmen's service to Cwmcelyn in 1924, and at the request of residents in the area commenced a daily passenger service in December 1926, for which he asked authority from Nantyglo and Blaina Council, but permission was refused in March 1927. In 1928 application was made to Abertillery Council for permission to run in that area, but the matter had been deferred by the Council from time to time. The route was from Winchestown, Twynderyn, Council Houses and Cwmcelyn.
Mrs. Emily Williams, Brynhyfryd, said she had canvassed 500 houses in the district and had only one refusal of support to the application.
Mrs. Mary Pope, Cwmcelyn, said the service was necessary because many people lived a mile from the other ’bus routes.
Mr. E. G. Adams, Bournville, said there were 1,600 residences in the West Side district of Blaina and “overcrowding of ’buses was a scandal”.
Messrs. Beynham and Ben Jones also complained of over-crowding.
Mr. L. A. Wallen said Nantyglo and Blaina Council objected to an increase of ’buses because they were concerned about the safety of the people. They believed the district was already adequately served by Messrs. Ralph and by the Griffin Motor Company.
Mr. Tudor Morris, Brynmawr, said he took a census of ’bus passengers on June 19th, 20th and 22nd and found that little more than 50 per cent of the seating capacity was occupied.
Mr. T. H. Mytton opposed on behalf of Abertillery Council.
The application was refused.

“COLLIERY FATALITY AT BLAINA
Timberman buried under Heavy Fall
A sad fatality occurred at Lower Deep Colliery, Blaina, owned by Messrs. J. Lancaster and Co., on Saturday afternoon. A party of men had gone on what is known as the traffic shift, to deal with a certain place, when a heavy fall of roof occurred, and a timberman named Daniel Coburn was buried under some hundreds of tons of debris. The body was recovered some hours later, but life was extinct. The deceased man leaves a family, who live at 3, Parson’s-row.”–South Wales Gazette, Friday 24th September 1915

On Monday 22nd September 1930, a “pretty wedding” took place at the Wesleyan church in Blaina between Edward John Ashton and Clarice née Cobourne. Clarice had been born on 17th April 1907 at Blaina, the daughter of Daniel Coburn (a Coal Miner Hewer) and Martha Amelia née Pope who were married in the summer of 1901. At some point following the tragic death of her husband in 1915, Martha moved from 3 Parson’s Row to nearby Penybryn House on Cwmcelyn Road in Blaina where she is found in the 1921 Census with four of her children (Ref: RG15 Piece 26087 Schedule 75). Martha is 41 years-old, her son John Henry is a 16 year-old Colliers Helper, Clarice is 14 years-old, Amy is 11 years-old, and Wilfred is 9 years-old.

Ada Elizabeth Ashton née Woolley passed away on 14th October 1932 at the Blaina and District Hospital, she was 54 years-old. She was laid to rest at the Hermon Baptist Chapel Graveyard, Nantyglo.

On 16th December 1936, Henry Ashton married his second wife, Elizabeth Jane née Aston, at the Five Acre Methodist Chapel at Coleford in the Forest of Dean. The Western Mail of Friday 18th December 1936 printed the following regarding their wedding:

COUNCILLOR MARRIED
Mr. Henry Ashton, of Queen-street, Nantyglo, a member of the Nantyglo and Blaina Urban Council, was married on Thursday to Miss Bessie Aston, of Coleford, Forest of Dean. The ceremony took place at the Five Acre Methodist Chapel, Coleford, and the bride was attended by Mrs. Lottie Watts (sister) of Wotton-under-Edge. The best man was Mr. W. Ashton (Nantyglo) and the groomsman Mr. Fred Wise (Nantyglo).

Elizabeth Jane Aston was born on 23rd November 1891 at Five Acres in Coleford, Gloucestershire. She was the daughter of Emanuel Aston and Elizabeth née Harris who were married in 1884 at Coleford. In the 1921 Census, the Aston family are found living at Five Acres in Coleford (Ref: RG15 Piece 26041 Schedule 20). Emanuel was recorded as a 60 year-old Boot Maker who ran his own business, and his wife Elizabeth was 64 years-old and had been born at Whitchurch in Herefordshire. They had two daughters living with them in this Census, Elizabeth Jane (known as Bessie) who was 29 years-old, and Charlotte Lydia (aged 18)..

Following the death of her husband in 1924, Mary Ann Morgan (late Ashton formerly Summerhill) continued as the Licensee of the Vine Inn at Nantyglo until she retired at the age of 81 in 1937. She was the oldest licensee in the Abertillery and Blaina Licensing Division at the time. On 25th February 1939, Mary Ann passed away at the age of 82, and was buried at the Hermon Baptist Chapel Graveyard, Nantyglo.

Several months later when the 1939 Register was taken on 29th September, Henry and Bessie Ashton are again found living at 77 Queen Street in Nantyglo, his occupation being recorded as a “Colliery Hewer - Below Ground” (Ref: RG101 Piece 7455B Schedule 265). Recorded with them is Ronald Summerhill (an Underground Engine Driver who was born on 13th May 1919 at Nantyglo), the son of Henry Ashton’s cousin, Henry Summerhill and Margaret née Williams. Also in this Register, living at The Bungalow on Hospital Road in Nantyglo, are Edward John Ashton (a Public Service Driver), and his wife Clarice née Cobourne (Ref: RG101 Piece 7455F Schedule 337).

Henry and Elizabeth Jane Ashton continued living at 77 Queen Street until he passed away on 9th December 1953 at the age of 76. He was buried at the Hermon Baptist Chapel Graveyard, Nantyglo. Electoral Registers show that his widow, Elizabeth Jane née Aston, was still living at 77 Queen Street until at least 1968. She survived her husband by more than 20 years, until her own death at the age of 82 in the summer of 1974.

Edward and Clarice Ashton’s Golden Wedding on 22nd September 1980

The Gwent Gazette of Thursday 2nd October 1980 published the following regarding Edward and Clarice Ashton’s golden wedding celebrations:

RADIO GREETING FOR GOLDEN COUPLE
A message on Wales’s Radio Four was an added excitement when a Nantyglo couple celebrated their Golden Wedding. Mr. Edward John Ashton and his wife, Clarice, of the Bungalow, Hospital Road, were thrilled to receive a phone call from their friend, Mrs. Vena Johnson of Beaufort, minutes before the broadcast telling them to listen for her message of congratulations. The couple, who were married at the old Blaina Wesleyan Chapel, 50 years ago, have lived in Nantyglo all their married life. Mr. Ashton was born in a house just across the road and before her marriage Mrs. Ashton lived at Cwmcelyn. Mr. Ashton, who retired as an underground engine driver at Beynon’s Colliery, had previously spent 20 years with the Griffin Motor Company. The couple who have no children celebrated with a party for many friends and relatives at the Workmen’s Hall, Nantyglo. They had a second celebration with friends of the Three Valleys Caravans Club at Porthcawl where they were planning to spend a few days holiday last weekend. Mr. Ashton is the club’s first president. They have been members of caravan clubs for many years and own their own caravan.

Edward John Ashton passed away on 12th August 1983, he was 75 years old. Clarice Ashton née Colbourne survived her husband by more than six years, until her own death on 11th december 1989 at the age of 82.

Credits

The Ashton family crest is by houseofnames.com

The photo of Edward and Clarice Ashton’s Golden Wedding Anniversary is edited from the Gwent Gazette of Thursday 2nd October 1980. It is Copyright by D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd., and was created courtesy of The British Library Board.