Settling Down in Abertillery

My great great grandparents, John Jones and Eliza Veale, were married on 20th September 1869 in the Llanhilleth parish. They were both said to be residents of Llanhilleth, where John worked as a Collier. They were married in the presence of Matthew Illman and Jane Williams, their fathers being named as Jonathan Jones, a Collier, and William Vale, a Wood Cutter.

Llanhilleth is located 4 miles northwest of Pontypool on the River Ebbw in Monmouthshire. It has had many variant spellings over the centuries, including Llanheledd Forwyn, Llan Helet, Llanheledd, Llanhiledd, Llanhylithe, and Llaniddel. Part of the Monmouthshire Canal once ran through the parish, and like most other towns and villages in southeast Wales, it has a long history in coal mining.

Eliza Veale was born on 7th January 1844 at Stowey, in the Chew Valley of Somerset. She was the daughter of William Veale and Ann née Sage who had been married at Stowey on 26th October 1841 in the presence of Henry Nash and Elizabeth Webb. Their fathers were named as William Veal, a Labourer, and George Sage, a Collier. Ann Sage is found living with the Veale family at Stowey Village in the 1841 Census which was taken just a few months before their marriage (Ref: HO107 Piece 938 Book 10 Folio 6 Page 6). Eliza’s siblings were: William (born in 1842); Mary Anne (born in 1846); Joseph (born in 1849); Isabella (born in 1852); Maria Jane (born in 1855); and Jemima (born in 1858).

Stowey, from the old English “stan wey” meaning “stone way,” is a small village located near Chew Magna. It lies about 10 miles south of Bristol, and north of the Mendip Hills. In the 18th century, the village was described as being largely unseen because of stands of elm and other trees. Today, the village can be seen from various footpaths and other vantage points, including Folly Farm, a traditionally managed working farm and nature reserve run by the Avon Wildlife Trust.

What enticed Eliza Veale to move to Monmouthshire? There were three members of her immediate family found in the South Wales valleys during the 1860s, her uncle, Joseph Veal, and her brothers William and Joseph Veal. Her uncle and aunty, Joseph and Mary were already in Wales by the time of the 1851 Census. They are living at Llangattock in Breconshire where he was working as a Miner (HO107 Piece 2490 Folio 291 Page 7). Ten years later in the 1861 Census, they had moved to Llanwonno, Glamorgan, about 4½ miles northwest of Pontypridd (Ref: RG09 Piece 4049 Folio 50 Page 17). By the time of the 1871 Census, they had returned to Llangattock where he continued working as a Collier (RG10 Piece 5586 Folio 25 Page 6).

Eliza’s brother William’s first brief time in South Wales in the mid to late 1860s was spent in the Pontypridd area of Glamorgan, where in the summer of 1865 he married Sarah Hunt. By 1871, both of her brothers had found employment as Coalminers in the Haydock area of Warrington in Lancashire. William had returned to Glamorgan by 1873, but by 1879 was back at Haydock. In 1882, he was once again in Glamorgan, this time at Ogmore Vale. Her brother Joseph also married in the Pontypridd area in 1873, his wife being Mary Griffiths, but they also returned to Haydock to live, before moving to Ogmore Vale during the 1880s.

Another of Eliza’s family members moved to southeast Wales in the early 1870s. Her cousin Ruth Veale, the illegitimate daughter of Eliza’s aunt, Mary Veale, was baptised at Stowey on 31st March 1834. Ruth married Job Lodge (baptised 24th November 1833 at Cameley, Somerset) at Stowey on 3rd April 1856 in the presence of Stephen Bendall and Mary Ann Lodge. Their first child, a son, who appears not to have been named, was born and died in 1857. Their first daughter named Amelia Ellen was born in 1858 (and died in 1862); followed by William John in 1860 (who died in 1869); Mary Ann in 1861 (who died in 1875); Charles in 1863; James in 1864; Amelia Ann in 1867 (who died in 1875); Ellen in 1868;and Georgiana in 1870. In the 1871 Census, the Lodge family are found living at Cameley in Somerset (Ref: RG10 Piece 2467 Folio 105 Page 19). Shortly after that Census, another child was born in Somerset, George Henry, who died there in September 1872 aged 14 months. It appears that Job and Ruth Lodge soon moved their family to Blaina, just two miles north of Abertillery, where three more children were born: John Tipper (in 1873); Mark (in 1875 who died the same year); and Agnes Jane (in 1878). In the 1881 Census, the Lodge family are found living at Church Street in Blaina where Job was working as a Labourer (Ref: RG11 Piece 5240 Folio 101 Page 20). Both Job and Ruth’s ages are incorrect, around ten years younger than they actually were. With them are their children Charles (a 16 year-old Labourer); James (a 14 year-old Coal Miner); Ellen (aged 12); Georgina (aged 10); John (aged 8); and Agnes Jane (aged 3); the four younger children each being recorded as a Scholar. The family were living at Caddicks Row at the time of the 1891 Census (Ref: RG12 Piece 4352 Folio 107 Page 29). Job’s occupation was recorded as a Colliery Labourer, Their son John was a 19 year-old Collier, and 13 year-old Agnes Jane was a Scholar. By the time of the 1901 Census they had moved to the southern end of Blaina, and are found at 6 Henwain Street (Ref: RG13 Piece 4935 Folio 10 Page 12). Job Lodge died in early 1910, his death registration giving his age as 65, but he was actually about 77 years-old. The following year when the 1911 Census was taken, Ruth is found with her son Charles and his family at 11 Henwain Row in Blaina (Ref: RG14 Piece 31829 Schedule 385). Ruth |Lodge née Veale passed away in December 1920. Although her death registration and the newspaper article (below) from the South Wales Gazette of 31st December state she was 81 years-old, she was actually about 86 years-old:

BLAINA & NANTYGLO
Late Mrs. Lodge. – The funeral took place at the cemetery on Thursday week of Mrs. Ruth Lodge, age 81 years, of Henwain Row, Blaina. Deceased was one of the oldest inhabitants of the district. The Rev. E. Davies, Hope C.M. Church, officiated. The mourners were the sons and daughters, and a number of floral tributes were received.

Returning to Eliza Jones née Veale, could it be just a coincidence that her father-in-law to be, Jonathan Jones, was also living in the Pontypridd area in the late 1860s? In the 1871 Census, Jonathan was living at Llwynypia, about 6 miles northwest of Pontypridd (Ref: RG10 Piece 5385 Folio 81 Page 34). Whatever the case, John and Eliza decided that settling down in Abertillery was what they were going to do, and it was there that their eight children were born:

Jemima Ann Jones 1870
William Jones 1871
Mary Jane Jones 1873
Jonathan Francis Jones 1876

Thomas Jones* 1878
Joseph David Jones 1879
Isabella Maria Jones 1881
Maude Rosina Jones* 1883

Note: * Died during infancy

John and Eliza’s first child, a daughter named Jemima Ann, joined the family on 2nd January 1870, her birthplace being recorded as “Square Houses Abertillery.” This is the very first time any of my family have been found specifically in Abertillery.

Under the article headed “Welsh Orthography,” the Monmouthshire Merlin of Saturday 2nd March 1850 explained: “Strictly speaking, Abertylery is the spot where the Tylery falls into the river, and Cwmtylery the spot adjoining above and below.” Before the start of Abertillery’s industrialization, it was an area of the Aberystruth parish that was merely scattered with farms. It later became the second largest town in Monmouthshire, the only larger town being Newport.

When the 1871 Census was taken on the night of 2nd April, John and Eliza Jones were living at William Harris Row, close to the centre of Abertillery where John was working as a Coal Miner (Ref: RG10 Piece 5318 Folio 75 Page 51). William Harris Row was most likely built by and/or named after William Harris the Mineral Banker who is found living at Mount Pleasant in the 1861 Census (Ref: RG09 Piece 3997 Folio 238 Page 8).

Later the same year, my great grandfather, William, was born on 14th December at Harris’ Square, most likely the same address they were living at in the 1871 Census. Their third child, a daughter named Mary Jane, was born on 15th October 1873, her birthplace being recorded as “Square Abertillery.”

By early 1874, plans were well under way to sink a new coal mine at Abertillery. The South Wales Colliery Company, of which Lawrence Heyworth was one of the Directors, placed an advertisement in the Western Mail of 14th March seeking tenders to sink the new pit, the measurements of which were stated as 16 feet by 12 feet. It’s quite evident that the name of the new pit had already been decided on by this time, as the Monmouthshire Merlin of 23rd December 1873 stated that it was “the Rose Heyworth pit.” With regards to the naming of the colliery, both The Cardiff Times and the Abergavenny Chronicle in their issues of Saturday 23rd December 1876 explained:

The workings of the colliery, under the direction of Mr W. Adams, C.E., Cardiff, consulting engineer, have been extended to the Cwmtillery side of the mountain, where a shaft was sunk to the three quarter coal seam named after Mrs Heyworth, “the Rose Heyworth pit.”

Although the Rose Heyworth Colliery gave employment to generations of the Jones family, it would also cause them deep pain and heartache in years to come.

Their next three children were all boys. Jonathan joined the family on 3rd June 1876, and his brother Thomas was born on 18th March 1878 at “Midleton’s Row Abertylery.” Middleton’s Row was located in the Hill Street area, close to the Forge Hammer Inn and to where they had been living the past several years. Intriguingly, Thomas’s birth registration is the only one where Eliza’s forename was recorded as Elizabeth.

By the time their next child was born, the family had moved a short distance away to a relatively newly-built housing area at Clynmawr, known today as Blaenau Gwent Rows. Regarding these cottages, the Monmouthshire Merlin in its issue of 7th August 1874 reported:

From Cwmtillery the party proceeded on foot, over the hill, to Clynmawr, where the new cottages are being built. The band of the 103rd led the way, and lightened the journey with some inspiriting music. On reaching Clynmawr the cottages were inspected, and universally approved. They were designed by Capt. Heyworth, and are built of stone, stucco and brick, with tiled portico, slated roofs, and gables finished with stone crow-steps. Each cottage contains five rooms, with a wash-house and oven in one, and other conveniences. The front aspect is south-west. Water is supplied from an excellent spring, and there will be a long strip of ground to each cottage for drying clothes and for cultivation. The rent is to be 5s. per week each, and it is calculated that this will give a return of six per cent. on the outlay.

It was here in one of the new cottages that their next son, named Joseph David, was born on 18th March 1879. Interestingly, two cousins of his were born at Tredegar around the same time, David Jones in 1876 and Joseph Jones in 1878, both the sons of William Jones and Sarah Ann née Ablett. The following year, John and Eliza’s children Annie Jemima, William, Mary, Jonathan, and Joseph David were all baptised at Blaina on 24th September 1880.

When the 1881 Census was taken on the night of 3rd April, the family’s address is given as Blaenau Gwent, Aberystruth (Ref: RG11 Piece 5241 Folio 33 Page 66). John Jones is recorded as a Coal Miner, and both he and his wife Eliza are said to be 34 years-old, a few years younger than their actual ages. With them are their five children, all recorded as Scholars: Jemima Ann (aged 11), William (aged 9), Mary Jane (aged 7), Jonathan (aged 5), and Joseph David (aged 2).

Very soon after that Census, their next daughter was born at Blaenau Gwent on 27th May. When they registered her birth, she was given the name Maria. Unlike all the birth registrations of her siblings where either their father or mother were named as the informant, the person who was the informant for Maria’s birth is named as Ann Pikford of Blaenau Gwent who was present at the birth. It appears that Ann Pickford lived nearby in one of the other rows of cottages, but wasn’t a family member or an immediate neighbour of the Jones family (Ref: RG11 Piece 5241 Folio 35 Page 69). Five months later when she was baptised on 28th October, her name was recorded as Isabella, but she was known as Isabella Maria for the rest of her life.

Their last child, another daughter named Maude Rosina, was born on 7th July 1883 at Blaenau Gwent. So far, no baptism record has been found for her. It appears she may be the 10 month-old Rosina Jones who died from Dentition Convulsions at the Workhouse in Tredegar on 27th April 1884. Her father was named as John Jones, a Seaman of Blaina, presumably referring to coal seams and Blaina Gwent.

When she was 21 years old, Jemima Anne Jones married 21 year-old William Frank Mason on 1st April 1891 at Abertillery. They were both said to be residents of Blaenau Gwent, his occupation being recorded as a Miner. Their marriage took place in the presence of his parents, Frank and Eliza Mason. Their fathers were named as John Jones and Frank Mason, both of whom were said to be Miners.

William Frank Mason was born on 3rd October 1869 at Dilton Marsh in Wiltshire, the son of a Labourer named Frank William Mason and his wife Eliza née Scull, who were both 19 years-old when they were married at Dilton Marsh on 18th December 1864. Their wedding took place in the presence of Maria Mason (his mother), and George Scull (her father). Their fathers were named as John Mason and George Scull, who were both Labourers.

The village of Dilton Marsh is located about 1½ miles southwest of Westbury in Wiltshire, close to the county boundary with Somerset. For many hundreds of years, it had been an agricultural area, but over time, a thriving weaving industry developed there.

William Frank and Annie Jemima had a total of five children, all of whom were born at Abertillery. Their first three children were all boys: Francis William John (born 25th August 1892), Albert (born 19th June 1894), and Ivor (born 31st May 1896). They also had two daughters who both died as infants: Anna Maria (in 1898), and Priscilla (in 1899).

When the 1891 Census was taken on the night of 5th April, the now widowed John Jones is found living at 58 New Town, Abertillery (Ref: RG12 Piece 4353 Folio 94 Page 51). John is recorded as a 47 year-old Coal Miner, William (a 19 year-old Haulier), Mary Jane (a 16 year-old House Keeper), Jonathan (a 14 year-old Door Boy in a Coal Pit), and David (a 12 year-old Scholar).

The fact that John Jones is recorded as being widowed in the 1891 Census has led to the problem of finding the death or burial of his wife, Eliza née Veal, which evidently would have happened at some point between July 1883 and April 1891. There’s a record of a grave being purchased at the Blaenau Gwent cemetery for the wife of John Jones of Blaenau Gwent, the date being given as 6th April 1886. The corresponding death registration of an Elizabeth Jones of approximately the correct age links up with this purchase of a grave, but I’m not entirely convinced that either of these records are with regards Eliza Jones née Veal.

Also in the 1891 Census, John’s youngest surviving daughter Isabella Maria is found with her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Mary Veal at Waun Bank in Llangeinor, near Bridgend, Glamorgan (RG12 Piece 4452 Folio 87 Page 135). Joseph is a 40 year-old Coalminer, Isabella is a 9 year-old Scholar, and also with them is Isabella’s cousin, John Lyons (a 15 year-old Coalminer, the son of Allen Lyons and Maria Jane née Veale).

Intriguingly, despite the fact that Annie Jemima Jones had married William Frank Mason four days before this Census was taken, she has not been found in this Census. Her husband on the other hand is recorded as “Single,” and is found with his parents and two brothers at 61 New Town (Ref: RG12 Piece 4353 Folio 94 Page 52), just three doors away from the Jones family at number 58.

During 1896, three of John and Eliza’s children were married. The first was 22 year-old Mary Jane who married George Godwin, a 22 year-old Coal Miner, on 29th February at Abertillery, in the presence of William Jones (Mary Jane’s elder brother), and Louie Godwin (George Godwin’s cousin. Mary Jane gave her address as 58 Blaina Gwent, and George gave his as 56 Blaina Gwent (the home of his uncle and aunt, John Godwin and Ann Woolford née Lovell). Their fathers were named as John Jones, a Coal Miner, and Samuel Godwin, an Iron Miner.

George Godwin had been born at Varteg on 18th June 1873. He was the first child of Samuel Godwin and Phoebe née Jones who were married in the Newport Registration District in the summer of 1871. When the 1891 Census was taken on 5th April, 17 year-old George Godwin is working as an Iron Miner, and is found with his family at Golynos Green in Trevethin (Ref: RG12 Piece 4363 Folio 7 Page 7).

George and Mary Jane Godwin had a total of eight children: John (born 30th November 1896); William (born 22nd April 1898); Benjamin Samuel (born 14th April 1900, David Harold (born 2nd November 1901); George (born 8th January 1904); Minnie (born 28th April 1906); Gethin Thomas (born 21st May 1912); and Patricia Olive May (born 27th February 1920).

A little over two weeks after George and Mary Jane were married, 20 year-old Jonathan Francis Jones married 17 year-old Mary Stafford on 17th March 1896 at Brynmawr, in the presence of David Ernest Bowen Lyddon and Sarah Stafford. Both were said to be residents of Llanelly Brynmawr, their fathers being named as John Jones and John Stafford, who were both Coal Miners. To date, This is the earliest occurrence where Jonathan’s second forename “Francis” appears. His birth registration in 1876, his baptism entry in 1880, and the Censuses of 1881 and 1891 make no reference to a second forename of Francis. Is it just a coincidence that his grandfather’s second wife’s surname at birth was Francis?

Mary Stafford was born on 15th January 1880 at Risca in Monmouthshire, the daughter of John Stafford and Sarah Liles who were married on 4th November 1866 at Llanhilleth, in the presence of George Morgan and Martha Stafford. Their fathers were named as James Stafford, a Collier, and Jacob Liles, Labourer. John’s parents, James Stafford and Sarah née Jones are found living at Cwmtillery in the 1871 Census (Ref: RG09 Piece 5318 Folio 32 Page 57). John and Sarah spent much of the 1870s in the Durham area of England before returning to the South Wales Valleys. When the 1881 Census was taken on 3rd April, they were living at Slaughter House Row in Risca, John’s occupation being recorded as a Coal Miner (Ref: RG11 Piece 5270 Folio 83 Page 25). When the next Census was taken in 1891, they are found living at Machen near Risca (Ref: RG12 Piece 4383 Folio 90 Page 12). From details found in Electoral Registers, it appears that John and Sarah moved their family to Abertillery around 1895.

Jonathan and Mary Jones had a total of fifteen children: Elsie (born 20th September 1896) who married Edgar Scott (born 10th January 1890) in 1915; Martha (born 20th April 1898) who married Theophilus John Moore in 1916 and Alfred Langley in 1948; Tom (born 19th February 1900) who married Margaret Mary Williams (born 16th February 1902) in 1921; Sarah (born 5th January 1902) who married Henry Elias Scott (born 10th May 1897) in 1920; Edith May (born 30th December 1903) who married Frederick Arthur Hayman (born 11th April 1906) in 1929; Jonathan (who was born and died in late 1905); Elizabeth (born 7th January 1907) who married Wilfred Doel (born 20th August 1906) in 1928; Arthur Francis (born 14th March 1909) who married Elizabeth West (born 17th January 1909 in 1931; Annie (born 22nd January 1911) who married Henry J Lambley or “Pat” in 1933 and Thomas F Conroy in 1960; John (born in 1913 who died aged 22 at the Cardiff Infirmary on 1st April 1935); Ronald David (born 29th December 1914) who married Alice Ruby Toombs (born 11th July 1918) in 1936; Marian (born 31st October 1917) who married Herbert Richard Toombs (born 22nd February 1914) in 1936; Mary Dorothy (born 13th September 1919) who married Roy Hughes (born 4th December 1914) in 1941; Iris (born 7th March 1921) who married Benjamin Llewellyn Mayo (born 24th September 1920) in 1941; and Gwladys Irene (born 7th September 1923) who married Jack Harris in 1944.

Interestingly, Arthur Jones (born 14th March 1909) wrote a very enjoyable story called “The Wooden Houses”, which was largely based around the experiences of his own family’s life at number 5 Wooden Houses. Although it was well-written, sadly, it was inaccurate in some of its details.

The third marriage which took place in 1896 was of my great grandparents, William Jones and Louisa Godwin, on 5th December at Abertillery.Details of their marriage and eleven children appear in the next chapter.

On 4th April 1898, 19 year-old Joseph David Jones signed up to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) using the name David Joseph Jones (Service No. 2018). The R.M.R.E. was the most senior regiment of the British Army Reserve. He stayed with them until 26th February 1899, and then joined the South Wales Borderers on 27th February 1899.

When the 1901 Census was taken on the night of 31st March, John Jones is found with his daughter and son-in-law, William Frank and Annie Jemima Mason at 3 Morgan Street (Ref: RG13 Piece 4935 Folio 107 Page 49). William Frank Mason is a 31 year-old Coal Hewer, his wife, indexed as “Emma” is also 31 years-old, and their three boys are aged 8, 6 and 4 respectively, while John Jones is said to be a 58 year-old Coal Hewer. This is the last definite sighting of John Jones, and although William Frank Mason appears in Electoral Registers at this address until 1904, John Jones only appears at this address in the 1901 Census. In the Electoral Registers, John Jones is found specifically at 58 Clynmawr from 1892 to 1898.

Also in this Census, 19 year-old Isabella Jones is again found with her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Mary Veale, at Waun Bank in Llangeinor (Ref: RG13 Piece 5043 Folio 111 Page 3). Joseph is a 51 year-old Coal Miner, his wife Mary is 49, and they also have three men boarding with them, James Morris (a 51 year-old Colliery Weighman), and two Coal Miners, 20 year-old Charles Protheroe and his 18 year-old brother William, who were both born at Llanfrynach in Brecknockshire. In the Summer of 1902, Isabella Maria Jones and William Protheroe were married in the Bridgend area.

William Protheroe was baptised on 8th April 1883 at Llanfrynach, the son of William Prothero and Elizabeth née Jones who were married in 1873 in the Hay Registration District of Breconshire. Llanfrynach is a village located on the River Usk, three miles southeast of Brecon, and is partly surrounded by the Brecon Beacons. William and Isabella had a total of four children, all boys: Gwilym Joseph (born 10th January 1904); David Arthur (born in the Spring of 1905 and died in the Summer of 1905); Gwyn (born 17th September 1906); and George Edward (born 30th January 1908). Very sadly, Isabella Maria Protheroe passed away in the Autumn of 1909, she was just 28 years-old.

When the 1911 Census was taken on the night of 2nd April, William Frank and Annie Jemima Mason are found at 94 Oak Street, Abertillery (Ref: RG14 Piece 31831 Schedule 215). William Frank and their three boys are all recorded as Coal Miner Hewers. George and Mary Jane Godwin are living nearby at 4 Poplar Row (Ref: RG14 Piece 31836 Schedule 118). George is a 37 year-old Coal Miner, his wife is 36 years-old, and with them are their children Jack (a 14 year-old Coal Miner), Will (a 12 year-old News Boy), Ben (a 10 year-old News Boy), and Harold (aged 9), George (aged 7), and Minnie (aged 4).Also not too far away are Jonathan Francis Jones and Mary née Stafford who are living at 5 Wooden Houses, which nowadays is in the area of Morley Road (Ref: RG14 Piece 31834 Schedule 311). Jonathan is a 34 year-old Master Haulier (below ground), his wife Mary is aged 31), and with them are their children Elsie (aged 14), Martha (aged 12), Tom (aged 11), Sarah (aged 9), Edith (aged 7), Elizabeth (aged 4), Arthur Francis (aged 2), and 1 month-old Annie.

Also in this Census, William Prothero is a 28 year-old widower, and is lodging at Albert Road in Talywain near Pontypool where he worked as a Miner Hewer (Ref: RG14 Piece 31914 Schedule 235). So far I’ve been unable to find his three boys in this Census, but the National School Admission Registers & Log-Books has entries for the three boys in 1911, Gwilym Joseph at the Abersychan Mixed School, and Gwyn and George Edward at the Abersychan Infants School.

When the 1921 Census was taken on 19th June, William Frank Mason is found with his son Francis William John at 94 Oak Street (Ref: RG15 Piece 26092 Schedule 179). William Frank is a 51 year-old Miner Timberman, while his 28 year-old son is a Miner Labourer, both being employed at the John Lancaster’s Steam Coal Company Ltd’s Colliery at Cwmtillery. Meanwhile, Electoral Registers show his wife, Annie Jemima to be at 94 Oak Street until 1921, but in the 1921 Census, she’s found at The Guardians Institution, Ty Bryn, Tredegar, otherwise known as The Workhouse (Ref: RG15 Piece 26142 Page 8). George and Mary Jane Godwin are still living at 4 Poplar row (Ref: RG15 Piece 26099 Schedule 142). George is a 48 year-old Surface Worker at the Rose Heyworth Colliery, his wife Mary Jane is 47 years-old, and with them are their children William (a 23 year-old out of work Collier, Ben (who is 20 years-old and running his own Hairdresser’s business at Cwmtillery), Harold (a 19 year-old Colliers Helper who is out of work), George (a 17 year-old Colliers Helper who is also out of work), 15 year-old Minnie, 9 year-old Gethin, and 1 year-old Patricia. Jonathan Francis Jones and his family are again found at 5 Wooden Houses (Ref: RG15 Piece 26096 Schedule 84). Jonathan is a 45 year-old Colliery Examiner (below ground) with the Lancaster Ebbw Vale Coal Company Ltd at their Rose Heyworth Colliery, his wife Mary is 41 years-old, and with them are their children Tom (a 21 year-old Hewer Collier, Edith May (a 17 year-old Domestic Servant), Elizabeth (aged 14), Arthur (aged 12), Annie (aged 10), John (aged 8), Ronald David (aged 6), Marian (aged 5), Dorothy (aged 1), and Iris (aged 3 months).

Also in this Census, William Prothero is found with his three boys, parents and sister at 26 Ashville in Oakdale (Ref: RG15 Piece 26338 Schedule 203). He is a 38 year-old widower who is a Colliery Repairer (below ground) for the Tredegar Iron & Coal Company’s Navigation Colliery at Oakdale. His parents, William and Elizabeth, are 70 and 68 years-old respectively, his father being a General Labourer for a house building contractor at Oakdale, his sister Gladys is a 22 year-old Nurse at Oakdale Hospital, Gwilym is a 17 year-old Coal Hewer Collier Helper, Gwyn is a 14 year-old Office Clerk, and George is a 13 year-old Office Boy, all three working for the Tredegar Iron & Coal Company.

MASON.–In loving memory of my dear sister, Annie Mason, late of 94 Oak St., Abertillery, who died July 2nd. 1921. Ever remembered by her Sister, Brother-in-law, Nephews and Neices.”–South Wales Gazette, 13th July 1923.

Soon after this Census was taken, Annie Jemima Mason née Jones passed away on 2nd July 1921 at the Ty Bryn Workhouse in Tredegar, she was 51 years old.

Electoral Registers show that George and Mary Jane Godwin moved a short distance from 4 Poplar Row to 52 Gladstone Street by 1923. Then just a few years later, Mary Jane Godwin née Jones died on 17th December 1927 at 52 Gladstone Street, she was 53 years-old.

South Wales Gazette, Friday 18th April 1941:

Passing of Mr. Jonathan Francis Jones
The great respect in which Mr. Jonathan Francis Jones of 28, Blaenau Gwent-rows, Abertillery, was held was evidenced by the large and representative gathering at his funeral on Monday. Mr. Jones was choirmaster, Sunday-school superintendent, and Society Steward at the Blaenau Gwent Church where his loss is keenly felt.
He had been a Colliery Examiner at the Rose Heyworth and Cwmtillery pits and was at one time a master haulier. His many years of service in connection with Fireman’s Association branch at Abertillery will long be remembered by his colleagues and it will also be recalled that he and Mrs. Jones presented a perfect picture of wedded bliss at a flitch trial held in the district some years ago.
Burial was at Blaenau Gwent Cemetery and there was an impressive service at the Methodist Church with Rev. E. Harris officiating and Mr. Cyril Webber at the organ. The mourners were: - Mrs. Jonathan Jones, widow; Messrs. Tom, Arthur and Ronald Jones, sons; Mesdames Edgar Scott, Martha Moore, Harry Scott, Fred Hayman, Wilfred Doel, Pat Lambley, J. Richards, Herbert Toombs, Ben Mayo, Roy Hughes and Miss Gwladys Jones, daughters; Messrs. Guv, Harry, Fred, Wilf, Pat (R.A.F.), and Herb (R.A.F.), sons-in-law; Maggie, Elizabeth and Ruby, daughters-in-law; Mr. George Llewellyn, brother-in-law; Elizabeth, Edith, Louise and Bertha, sisters-in-law; Don, Basil, Arthur, Trevor, Ken, Arthur, David, Sylvia, Marie, Margaret, Betty, Mary and Jack (R.A.F.), grandchildren; Ann, Sophia, Daisy, Rachel, Margaret, Betty, Iris, Gwladys, Eiluned, May, Beryl and Sarah, nieces; Ivor, George, Howard, Bertram, Dai, Tom, Jim, Charlie, Jack, Stan, David, Gwyn, and Arthur, nephews; Ivor, great nephew; Stan, Haydn, Horace, Rees, Walter, Jack, Cyril, friends.
The bearers were Messrs. Ben Cecil, Morgan Williams, Fred Davies, Albert Coombs and Richard Weygood.
Floral tributes were sent by: - Mam and Gwladys; Elsie, Guv and children; Martha and children; Tom, Maggie and children; Sally, Harry and children; Edith, Fred and Arthur; Elizabeth, Wilfred and children; Arthur, Lizzie and John; Nance, Pat and children; Ron, Ruby and children; Marian, Herbert and Christine; Dorothy, Mary, Roy and Herbert; Iris and Benny; Dan and Doreen; Stan and Marjorie; May, Gwladys and David (Penarth); Lizzie and family; Aunt Louise and family; Nephews and nieces (Risca); Mr. and Mrs. Cecil and Kinnersley; Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths and Mary; Mr. W. Thomas; Jack, May and Maureen; Bertha, Jim and family; Annie and family; Mrs. Maund; Mrs. Ferris and family; Blaenau Gwent (Methodist) Sunday-school; Teachers of Blaenau Gwent (Methodist) Sunday-school; Members of Blaenau Gwent Methodist Church; Officials of Rose Heyworth Colliery; Officials of Cwmtillery Colliery; Afternoon Workmen, Meadow Vein, Cwmtillery.
The arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. A. Horler and Sons, Abertillery.

South Wales Gazette, Friday 20th July 1945:

A “TRUE CHRISTIAN’S” MEMORIAL
Mr. John Draisey, of Pontypridd, a former member of the church, dedicated a piano in remembrance of the late Mr. Jonathan Francis Jones at the Blaenau Gwent Methodist Church. Mr. Draisey paid a high tribute to the sterling qualities of Mr. Jones whose name, he said, was honoured not only in the church but in every sphere of his activity, and particularly by the workmen of Rose Heyworth Colliery who had given him the title, “The True Christian.”
Mr. R. H. Seeley presided, supported by Rev. A. R. Thomas, and the other speakers included Mrs. W. Baker and Mr. J. Bevan. A musical programme was given by the church choir, under Mr. W. Doel and Mr. T. Jones, with Miss D. Doel and Mr. C. Webber as accompanists, Mrs. J. Jones and Mr. Webber. Mr. Trevor Wilde was the elocutionist.

South Wales Gazette, Friday 2nd December 1949:

THANKS FOR SYMPATHY
JONES. – The family of the late Mrs Jonathan Jones wish to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the wonderful kindness, service, and sympathy received from their many friends in their bereavement. With special thanks to Mrs Baker, Mrs Mabbott, Mrs Longden and Mr R. H. Seeley.