The Edwards Family: The Smith Family

I believe that this picture shows my great grandparents, Martha and William Smith together with my grandmother, Ann. The child could be my Auntie Phylis. For many years the Smiths lived in New Street in Ferndale.

My grandmother went on to have seven children. One of them was my mother. A few months before my Auntie Doreen died, I was told that my grandmother had a previous marriage. She had married a young collier, but just a few weeks after the wedding, he was killed in a mining accident.

I told this story to my brother and cousins. We were all somewhat dubious about the story. We all felt that it was often best not to believe anything that Auntie Doreen ever told us. However, from research I have found out that it was true. Ann married a young man called William Dennis in July 1900. He was killed in 1901 although so far I have been unable to find any details of his death.

I've found two items relating to William Smith.

The first is a report on his inquest. This definitely relates to my Great Grandfather as I know that he lived at 40 New Street, Ferndale.

Fatal Accident to Ferndale Man- Struck on the Leg by Overhead Wire. Inquest Adjourned. An inquest was opened at the Salisbury Hotel. ferndale. on Saturday morning last by Mr. R. J. Rhvs. district coroner, touching the death of William Smith, married, 58 years of age. residing at 40. New Street, Ferndale, and employed as pulleyman at the No. 1 Pit of Messrs. D. Davis and Sons. Ltd. Henry Davies. son-in-law of deceased, gave evidence of identification, and stated that he had been in fairly good health during the past twelve months. The Coroner: Had he been injured previously ? Witness: Yes. on the hand. George Jones, rider, the next witness, said that lhe was riding on a journey of twelve empty trams on a single road about 8.45 a.m. last Wednesday. When he first saw Smith he was then fifteen yards ahead of the journey, but when passing he noticed that he was lying on the ground, shouting for help. "At this time we were travelling at a slow pace. Immediately I heard his shouts I assisted in taking him to the locking station, where he informed me that he had received a cut on the leg." Thomas John Davies, haulier, who was an eye-witness of the accident, said that he. was standing only half a yard away from Smith when he saw him being struck by the overhead rope, which broke and flew back, hitting him on the leg, thus causing him to fall on his seat. Thomas Johns, manager of the pit, described the breaking of the rope. The doggy had got on to the drum of the engine (the other side of Midwinter, the engineer), which he could not possibly see, and thus caused the two ropes at the main and tail-to overlap each other until they came to a standstill. Mid-winter re-started the engine, which now caused the rope to snap at the cap. The engine had been in that place for about seven years, and the rope was a new one, the latter having only been in use since July 23rd, and during all those years everything; had gone on quite satisfactorily without any accident. Dr. John Williams was next called. He said that he attended Smith at 10 a.m. at his home in New Street, when he found him suffering from a. shock, but quite conscious. He ordered him to take cocoa, and whilst dressing tho leg Smith drank two cupsful. The nature of the injury was a cut on the shin 3 inches below the knee, with much discolouration around the knee. The Coroner Did you see him afterwards ? Witness: Yes. I again called at. 2 o'clock in the afternoon. This time I found him in a semi-conscious state, and it was with difficulty I was able to arouse him. and after I had gathered a little information he collapsed. It was 7 p.m. the same day when I saw him next, and he was perfectly unconscious. "I could not possibly rouse him in any shape or form." said the doctor. At 10 p.m. he again went to see him. but this time life had expired. The Coroner How do you account for his death ? Witness: Some injury to the brain caused coma. It could have been concussion followed by extreme congestion, but there were no symptoms whatever externally. It was decided to adjourn the inquest till Wednesday morning next at 10.30, in order that a post-mortem might be held.

This report was from The Rhondda Leader,
6th September 1913

The witness, Henry Davies, was my grandfather, George Henry Davies, also known as Harry.

I'm not so sure about this report. William Smith must be a really popular name. This happened on 11th August 1900. In the 1901 census, William Smith's occupation was listed as a coal haulier. I suppose that he may have found a new job between the two dates.

A delivery cart on Pontygwaith bridge. Could this be William Smith?

Ferndale Colliery.

40 New Street, Ferndale.

Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith was my great great grandfather. In 1861 he is listed as owning a farm called 'Hermitage' in Haycastle, Pembrokeshire.

Farmer of 105 acres.

Which begs the question, why didn't his son William inherit the farm? What became of the farm?

Some interesting facts about Thomas Smith.

Another family member having a brush with the law.....speeding. This time, a fine o £1/9/3.

A big fine in 1864.

He was married in 1845.

His wife Mary died in 1863

He re-married in 1866 to Jane Roberts.

Alexander and Ann Smith.

I've managed to trace the family back to the late 1700s. Before Trafalgar. Before Waterloo. When people wrote with a quill pen. This is what the Davies / Smith / Deveraux side of the family tree now looks like.