Evan James (abt. 1786 - 1846)

Born about 1786 in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Descendants

Died 7 Mar 1846 at about age 60 in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jessie Gregor [send private message]

Biography

My great x3 grandfather, Evan James, was born in about 1786 in Carmarthenshire, Wales, but I haven't found a definite baptism yet and the records are scarce.

Full confession, I found Evan's marriage record years ago but didn't note where I'd found it so I'm busy searching all my subscribed sites! I noted that he married Anne Thomas on the 11th October 1814 at St Llawddog, Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, and that he was a widower. I found another marriage for an Evan James and Anne Thomas on the 28th July 1807 at the same place. Certainly, his will talks of his first wife but this will need a lot more research and untangling (see transcription below).

In the 1841 Census, Evan was living at Pantyfallen, Penboyr, Carmarthenshire. Obviously, the ages in this particular census were rounded down but Evan is shown as being 55, an agricultural labourer, born in the county. His wife, Anne, is also recorded as 55, born in Carmarthenshire.

My current theory on Evan's death was that he died on the 7th March 1846 at Dowlais, Wales. According to his death certificate, he was a labourer, aged 60, and the certified cause of death was peritonitis. Obviously, the place of death doesn't match where he was living in the 1841 census but this date does match his will exactly, plus there was no other Evan James living in Dowlais in the 1841 census and he may have had to go there for work, his wife was a widow in 1851, and by process of elimination there is no better answer. I even ordered the other death certificates in that year but they were, sadly, for little children. Obviously, I'll keep looking …

Evan's will (which may be seen for free online at the National Library of Wales) was written on the 12th November 1844 and proved on the 4th April 1846: "Appeared personally Ann James of Pantyfallen in the parish of Penboyr in the county of Carmarthen, Widow the sole Executrix named in the last will and testament of Evan James aforesaid Labourer, deceased, who died on the seventh day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and forty six". His bequests were as follows: daughter Mary, five shillings son Thomas, five shillings daughter Ann, five shillings daughter Sarah, five shillings, daughter Jane, five shillings son John, five shillings "To my daughter Dinah I give bequeath and devise the new chest with five drawers opening in front that was in my possession with the first wife and also the sum of five shillings to be paid her as above to my youngest son David I give bequeath and devise the shelf and dresser and bedstead that was in my possession when his mother was alive that was my first wife also I give him the sum of five pounds to be paid him as above if in age and to pay him all money that will be due from me to him at the time of my decease as soon as convenient if there will be any due by real proof. All the rest residue and remainder of all my goods chattels and effects and all manner of personals of whatever description shall be wholly unto my present wife Ann otherwise Nany and she my said wife Ann otherwise Nany do I hereby appoint to be my sole Executrix (or Exectrikes) of this my last will and testament moreover in case if one or more of my children that will be single at the time of payment of their legacy namely John Dinah and David should one or more of them happen to die and depart this natural life his or their share or shares to be divided between the other or others that will be single at the above time share and share alike …"

Sources

• 1841 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7QR-7TL : 25 May 2019), Evan James, Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
• UK death registration: Merthyr Tydfil Union, Vol 26, Page 328, March quarter (age given 60).
• Death Certificate held by Jessie Gregor.
• Will and Probate: original images may be seen for free online at Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales. Title: Evan James: will, 1846. Author: James, Evan, Pantyfallen, Pen-boyr, Carmarthen, Labourer. Date: 1846.