Jones

This is my mother`s family.

My mother – Laura Dilys Jones (Dilys) (b.2 January 1910 d. 9 July 1998), with her two older sisters Edna May (b. 16 January 1903 d.28 March 1971) and Muriel Langdale (b. 21 July 1904 d. 13 February 1986), were the three daughters of Thomas Richard Jones and Hannah Jane Tudor.

Edna and Muriel were born in Wavertree, Liverpool and my mother was born in Hoylake, Wirral.  All three girls were privately educated, first of all at the West Kirby High School for girls (photo from their archives, showing Edna and Muriel – Dilys only 4 at the time) then Edna and Muriel at Penrhos College, Colwyn Bay and Dilys at Lowther College, Bodelwyddan, Flintshire.

In 1939 Edna is a hairdresser living at 119 Ronald Park Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Hannah and Muriel are living at Phalere, Birkenhead Road, Hoylake, Wirral, Cheshire.

Their father, my grandfather Thomas Richard Jones married Hannah Jane Tudor 16th July 1901 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Shaw Street, Everton, Liverpool. Thomas was aged 27 and Hannah 26.  Thomas was a Commercial Traveller and was living at 17 Gainsborough Road, Toxteth Park and his father was Robert Jones, a Draper. Hannah`s address was 26 Adelaide Road, West Derby and her father was Hugh Tudor, Insurance Agent.  The witnesses were A O Jones and A E Tudor.

Thomas Richard died 6th December 1930 and I think the best way to recall  his life is by detailing the obituary written for him in the Hoylake News and Advertiser on Friday 12th December 1930.

‘Passing of Mr T R Jones, Steward of Hoylake and West Kirby Wesleyan Circuit.

Director of Well-known City Firm.

After a severe operation, followed by a short illness, the death occurred on Saturday last of Mr Thomas Richard Jones, of ”Phalere” Birkenhead Road, Meols, a prominent member of St Luke`s Wesleyan Church, Hoylake.

Mr Jones, who was exceptionally well known and very greatly respected, was managing director of Morris and Jones, Ltd. the well known produce company, of Whitechapel, Liverpool.  He had been in their service for thirty-four years, and became a director in 1919 and managing director in 1928.  Through all these years his devotion to the interests of the business was outstanding, and his wide experience of the trade made him a valuable colleague of the other members of the directorate. 

Mr Jones, who was in his fifty-seventh year, had been for many years closely associated with the Wesleyan Church, and was chief circuit steward in the Hoylake and West Kirby circuit.  He was greatly interested in all church activities, and was held in the highest esteem by the community.

The funeral service took place at St Luke`s Wesleyan Church on Tuesday, and the large number of sympathisers present was a striking demonstration of the public`s affection for Mr. Jones.  The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. T. Pasley (minister of the church), the Rev. J. Sydney Hobson (minister of West Kirby Wesleyan Church) and the Rev. C. Claud Mayes, B.A., a former minister of St. Luke`s.  The hymns ”Abide among us with grace” and ”Jesu, Lover of my soul” were fervently sung, and at the end of the service Miss M F Bird, who presided at the organ, played the ”Dead March” in ”Saul” while all stood in reverent silence.  As the cortege left the church, ”O rest in the Lord” was rendered.

Minister`s Tribute.  During the service, the Rev. C. Claud Mayes paid a touching tribute to the deceased gentleman.  News of the death of Mr Jones, he said, came to him, as to everyone else, as a great shock.  When an old man died it was generally felt that he had passed the allotted span and his rest was due to him.  Mr Jones was not an old man and he was not tired out.  He had achieved much and everyone expected him to achieve ……….(news cutting illegible)…..  ”Throughout the whole of my time in Hoylake,” Mr Mayes continued ”I was closely associated with Mr Jones, who gave me the privilege of his friendship – a very real privilege – and one was not long with him before discovering that he had a strong personality.  Whatever he did, he did strongly.  He had strong view, but was willing to hear the other side.  But if he was convinced that his view was right, nothing would shake him.  In all my relationships with him I experienced nothing but courtesy and kindness.

”There is one word I would always associate with him, and that is ‘thorough’.  He did everything thoroughly, which made for efficiency.  Everyone who knew him would feel that he was an efficient man.  I am not competent to speak of business, but I know that he was successful in business.  He had the qualities which command success.  He was a hard worker, shrewd, far-seeing, cautious, determined, and the firm with which he has been connected so long and honourably will miss his presence. ”Mr Jones knew that ‘man does not live by bread alone.’  Though he worked hard in business he never became a slave to his business.  He nourished his soul by public worship and service to his church.  He was a devoted and loyal churchman.  He believed that God had work that was done through the church in a way it could not be done with equal effect anywhere else, and he felt that the church should be as efficient as possible in all departments.  He could not understand – it was the one thing that made him angry – people who were efficient in business and slovenly at church.  He had many offices in the church, but he never accepted one until he was sure he could give the time.  Once he undertook it there was the same thoroughness and efficiency as in all his work.  The circuit in general, and St Luke`s Church in particular, will greatly miss the work, presence, and influence of Mr Jones.  ”Mr Jones will be missed most in his home.  He had a house that is the centre of a home, and only those in that home know how much he contributed towards making it so.  I have never in my life seen any man who showed more loving care for his wife than Mr Jones.  It seemed always to us as though he was trying to stand as a barrier between her and anything untoward that might reach her from the outside world.  She will miss him in the days to come.  His daughters knew what the word ‘father’ meant.  He offered companionship and showed interest in all they did; he took pride in them and in what they did or were going to do.  You by your presence here have shown your sympathy.  If death comes slowly to us, allowing us any time to reflect, some of us may regret that we did not spend a little more time in our own homes, and did not enter a little more fully into the concerns of our own loved ones.  There could never be any regret on that score in the mind of Mr Jones.”

Continuing, Mr Mayes said ”We know that all is well with him.  Death is not a terrible thing for one who dies, but rather for those who remain behind.”  In conclusion, the speaker asked for the prayers of the assembly for Mrs Jones, and her daughters in their hour of sorrow and in the long days that lay ahead. 

The interment took place at Grange Cemetery, where, at the graveside, ”Rock of Ages” was sung.’

The article goes on to list the mourners – the chief mourners being the Misses Muriel and Dilys Jones (daughters) (my thought where was Edna?), Mr and Mrs A O Jones (brother and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs S Tudor, Miss Tudor, and hundreds more.

Hannah died January 1950 in Hoylake.  I knew none of my grandparents.

In 1911 Thomas Richard and Hannah, with daughters Edna (8), Muriel (6) and Laura Dilys (1) are living at Ryelands, Meols, Cheshire. Edna and Muriel born in Liverpool and Laura Dilys in Meols.

Arthur Osborne and Catherine with son Wilfred (5) and daughter Gwladys (2) are living at 8 Hamilton Road, Middlesex.

In the 1901 census Thomas Richard is a boarder (age 26) and living with the Wharmby family at 17 Gainsborough Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.  His brother Arthur Osborne (an Assistant Scientific and Instrument maker) by this time was married to Catherine and living in Pembroke Road, Wembley, Middlesex, along with their widowed mother Harriet aged 61.  In 1891 Harriet, Arthur and Thomas are living in Bouverie Street, Toxteth.  In 1881 the whole family are at 175 Windsor Street, Toxteth Park. Their father Robert is aged 45 and is a Draper and was born in Carnarvonshire. Harriet is 42 and born in Flintshire. Arthur and Thomas, 9 and 6 respectively are both scholars. Robert died of Phthisis, 2nd January 1885, at 119 Northhill Street, Toxteth Park. Harriet was present at death.

On Thomas Richard`s birth certificate, they are living at 23 Bouverie St. in 1874, so it looks as though they moved from here to Windsor Street and then back to 21 Bouverie Street after Robert died. Harriet was formerly Harriet Jones.  When you start to get Jones marrying Jones, one is tempted to give up!

In 1871 I have Robert and Harriet aged 38 and 32 resp. living at no. 17 Twiss Street, Toxteth Park.  Also with them is an unmarried brother Henry Jones, age 28, a labourer.  As he is also born in Flint I am presuming he is Harriet`s brother.

I have a marriage certificate for Robert and Harriet dated 30 December 1868,  Robert aged 35 and Harriet 30. Robert`s address is Mill Street, and Harriet`s is Croxteth Road and Robert`s father is Thomas Jones a farmer, and Harriet`s is Joseph Jones a Smelter.  The witnesses are Henry Jones and Dorothy Hughes. They were married at St Michael`s Toxteth, parish of Walton on the Hill.

In 1861 I think I have Robert as a lodger aged 28 Chester, 1 Abbey Street, Cathedral Precinct as a Woollen Drapers Assistant, his place of birth being Carnarvonshire, Llanfairfechan. In 1861 I have a Harriet Jones as a servant in 140 Richmond Place, Boughton, Chester, age 22 and a housemaid so it appears she moved from Flint to Chester and then to Liverpool.

Robert in 1851 is in Wales, a lodger in Llanaelhaearn age 18 and born Llanfairfechan (a long way from home?) He is a sets dresser/draper? Writing hard to read.

In 1841 he is at home in Llanfairfechan (Tyneuyd?) age 8 with his parents Thomas and Catherine and siblings, Ebenezer 15, Margaret 14, Ruth 5, and Elizabeth 3.

Robert`s parents were Thomas Jones (b. 1801 Llanfairfechan) and Catherine Roberts (b. 1802 Llanllechid), married 27 January 1825 in Llanllechid, by banns . The mark for both of them. Witnesses Henry Roberts and William Thomas.

They had 8 childen, Ebenezer (1825), Margaret (1827), William (1829), (all at Ty Newydd), Ann (1831), Robert (1833) both at Pentre, Ruth (1835), Elizabeth (1837) both back at Ty Newydd, Catherine (1842) Penybryn.

In 1851 Thomas (50) and Catherine (49) are living at Talarybont, Llanfairfechan with Elizabeth 13 and Catherine 9. Thomas is a shoemaker.

July 25th 1857 Elizabeth married Moses Jones in Llanfairfechan. Moses was a quarry waggoner. His father was Evan Jones. In 1861 they are living in Bryn, Moses 24, Elizabeth 23 and Evan 3 and Thomas 1.

1861 Thomas and Catherine are back at Ty Newydd (?) with Ebenezer (35) shoemaker (can`t find him in 1851), Catherine 19 and Erasmus 20. Also grandson Robert (9 months b. Llanfairfechan). Erasmus is a stone cutter and born in Bangor.

1871 It appears Thomas died at Tyddyndruin 1869 buried February 26th . On the census Catherine 70 , widow, farmer of 12 acres of land, is with son Ebenezer 44 farmer unmarr., daughter Elizabeth 33 widow, nephews Evan 13, Thomas 11 and Moses 9. All born Llanfairfechan. Elizabeth`s husband Moses had died June 1862, the same month his son Moses was born. There had been a daughter Ruth as a baby in 1861.

1881 Catherine now 79 living at Talorybont with son Ebenezer 55 a retired miner.

I do have details of the rest of the family.

Robert`s wife Harriet can be traced from age 3 in 1841 with her father Joseph age 34 and a labourer, with mother Ann 34, Mary 4 and Thomas 6 months.  In 1851 they are in the same place with Joseph now age 44 and a smelter born in Holkin, Ann age 48 born in Holywell and Mary 14, Harriet 12, Thomas 10, Henry 7 and Edwin 7 months. All the children born in Flint.  In 1861 they are in possibly Duke Street in Flint, the family consisting of Joseph a lead smelter, Ann, Mary dressmaker, Thomas meat farmer, Henry labourer and Edwin a scholar.  In 1871 Joseph now a widower age 62 is living at 25 Mount Street with his daughter Mary A unmarried and both labourers, and they are still there in 1881. In 1891 and 1901 Mary Ann is there on her own and is now a launderess. Thomas and Edwin cannot be traced after 1861.