Thomas Francis (abt. 1801 - 1880)

Born about 1801 in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Husband of Ann (Davies) Francis — married 15 May 1825 in St Illtyd, Newcastle, Glamorgan, Wales

Descendants

Died 22 Sep 1880 at about age 79 in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Dean Francis [send private message]

Biography

With a bit of research^[1], it has been suggested that Thomas comes from a family of Cordwainers that resided in Bridgend as early as the 1700s.

Thomas lived the full extent of his life in Bridgend, undertaking various and sometimes multiple occupations. For many years he lived with his wife, and children on "The Rhiw" in Bridgend, a hillside road that had a marketplace and a pub a the very top.

In the 1830s and 40s he was listed as a publican, victualler and cordwainer at The Lamb pub, which was in the building on the corner of The Rhiw and Nolton St. After he'd moved out a David Francis was listed as a trader in the premise so it's assumed that David is another relative too (maybe a cousin).

None of his children continued the family trade of shoemaking, and instead three of them undertook school teaching. His daughter Sophia became the head mistress of the Bridgend old board school (penybont) and his son William migrated to Victoria Australia and became a head teacher at various rural schools.

In his later years he worked as a railway postman and lived in a cottage named Eastgate House with his wife and daughters. (89 Nolton st, Bridgend) The names of surrounding buildings would suggest that eastgate house was a gate house when the city walls were still in tact.

There has been confusion over the years over another Thomas Francis, born and died the same year. This Thomas lived at Six Bells Coity and married an Elizabeth. The confusion being that they both lived in the same parish and appeared to be the same person at times.

Sources

1. ↑ Reference to a William Francis buried with Thomas that passed away 1826, it is assumed that this is his brother or a relative: http://hellohistoria.blogspot.com/2016/10/who-is-buried-here-tabernacle.html The previously mentioned William Francis' will who lists a William Senior and a brother Richard, all cordwainers: http://discover.library.wales/44WHELF_NLW_VU1:CSCOP_EVERYTHING:44NLW_FED276680