James Taylor ii (bef. 1831 - bef. 1874)

Born before 8 May 1831 in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Husband of Margaret (Griffiths) Phillips — married 16 Nov 1856 in Register Office, Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Descendants

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Identity

The 'II' in the Suffix is simply to help to distinguish many close relatives of the same name in this family. It can be removed if it proves inconvenient.

Biography

James was baptised on 8th May 1831 at St. Thomas, Neath, son of William and Mary Taylor^[1].

In 1841^[2] he is in Wind St., Neath, with

• Mother Mary, butcher, aged 30, born in Glamorgan
• Brother William, cabinet makers apprentice, age 14, born in Glamorgan
• Sister Sarah, servant, 15 (not born in Glamorgan).

In 1851^[3] he is still in Wind St., Neath, helping with the butcher's shop, now run by his widowed aunt Margaret, age 46. Her current surname is 'Savours', but the children living in, described as Sons and Daughters, are Reeses: Mary Ann, Eliza and John B, who is also in the family trade.

In 1861^[4] he is with wife Margaret (born Llangiwg), daughter Mary age 3, son William age 1. He is now a butcher living in "Pentwyn, Blaenhonddan" ( actually Bryncoch, of which 'Pentwyn' is a part).

In 1871 ^[5]: Butcher aged 40 born in Neath living at 2 Albert Terrace, Neath, with wife Margaret, 36, and 8 children:

• Mary, 13, born Cadoxton.
• William, 11, Cadoxton.
• Griffith, 8, Cadoxton.
• James, 7, Cadoxton.
• Elizabeth, 5, Neath.
• Thomas[?], 4, Neath.
• Evan, 2, Neath,
• Johannah, baby, Neath.

Research Notes

Birth year 1830 or 31 - estimated from census.

The question of the 1851 aunt is whether she is his actual aunt, or an aunt by marriage. The census note 'nephew' in those days could mean either. The problem is that we need to establish who James's mother was.

This we know: Margaret Baker first married John Rees and produced 3 children including John Baker Rees. After being widowed twice, she appears in 1851 census as Margaret Savours, with this James Taylor living in as nephew.

The difficulty is that we can find two possible Marys who could be James's mother::

1. Mary Rees, b. 1806 Neath,, the sister of John Rees. 2. Mary Baker, b. 1805-07 Neath, the sister of Margaret Baker.

Neither of these show up in a marriage record with William Taylor. If we are to believe that James is Margaret's 'real' nephew, then his mother is Mary Baker. But the term 'nephew' was also used to describe 'nephew-in-law', so Mary Rees is a possibility.

Perhaps he took over his father's shop in Neath after a spell at 'Pentwyn', or he had always worked there.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism register of St. Thomas church, Neath, 1831, page 176 entry 1407. May 8th, James son of William Taylor, a butcher, of Neath, and his wife Mary. Welsh Archive Services. Original image at FindMyPast.
2. ↑ 1841 census
3. ↑ 1851 census
4. ↑ 1861 census
5. ↑ 1871 census. Archive reference RG10, Piece number 5429, Folio 44, Page 6