Keeston, Camrose.

Looking down my mother's line of the family tree, I discovered a branch of the family with the surname Deveraux.  The only picture that I have of a Deveraux is this one.

Martha Smith nee Deveraux.

She was born on Christmas Day 1853.

Her father was named Thomas Deveraux. He couldn't read or write. He signed Martha's birth certificate with a mark.

Martha's mother was also called Martha. Her maiden name had been Davied.

They lived in a tiny hamlet called Keeston, which is near the village of Camrose, near Haverfordwest.

Thomas Deveraux was a farm labourer.

There were actually a few  ladies called Martha Deveraux. My great grandmother, shown in the picture. Her mother was also Martha Deveraux. She died of cholera in1866. She was 53 at the time so was probably born in 1813.

Notice from the 1881 census report that Thomas Devereux was living with the Smiths. He was my great-great grandfather. There was also a niece living with them , also called Martha Devereux.

At the time, Keeston held a fair twice a year, in the Spring and in the Autumn. These were probably Hiring Fairs.

I've only managed to find one newspaper item relating to Keeston.

So, there were a few ladies called Martha Deveraux.

One was born around 1815. She married Thomas Deveraux, a farm labourer.

She died in 1866 of cholera. Strangely, around the same time there was much celebration in the area as a railway line had pushed through the area.

Thomas and Martha had a number of children. One of them was named Martha and would be my great grandmother. In the 1911 census she is living in New Street, Ferndale with her husband William and also a sister, Eliza. I'm not sure when she died although there is a death listed in 1927.

I'm not sure what became of Martha Deveraux the niece although I did find a newspaper report that told of a Martha Devereux that was named as a receptionist for a spiritualist medium.

Another Martha Devereux was born in the area in 1816.

I've also found evidence of the death of a one year old child called Martha Devereux (1824)

Thomas Devereux lived until 1890. I can't be sure of this, but I think after 1881 he moved to Pontypridd. A Thomas Devereaux is listed as working in the Penrhiw Colliery. At one time, a Thomas Devereux appeared in court accused of helping to organise a strike. These were the days before organised unions. The newspaper refers to the action as a holiday.

If this is my great great grandfather then he was still working at the age of 74.

The only other newspaper article that I have relating to a Thomas Deveraux records an appearance in court.

He was fined one shilling and three pence. He would have been 36 at the time. I wonder what he did?

Update.

I now have Thomas Deveraux's death certificate. He died on the Fourth of November 1890.

At the time, he was living in Lake Street, Ferndale. I think I remember this as being the posh part of Ferndale. One of my doctors lived there. His son was also called Thomas Deveraux and he was with his father when he died. The son's name was also Thomas Deveraux. Again, he signed his name with a mark. Thomas Deveraux junior lived in Beech Street, again, one of the nicer parts of Ferndale.

From the Land Tax sheets I learned that Rees Devereux was farming at Kethingston in 1786....presumably Keeston .....where Stephen Devereux was farming in 1830.

In 1786 Gabriel Devereux and James Devereux farmed in Camrose as well, but I have not endeavoured to track inbetweentimes until we learn more from you.

More on Thomas Devereux.

Strange when you think about it. My great grandmother's father-in-law was sent to prison for poaching. Her husband, William Smith's father was a game keeper.

Stephen Devereux

Stephen Devereux was Thomas' father, so that would make him my great great great grandfather. So far I've discovered that his wife was called Emma. I have also discovered this newspaper advert.

I suppose this might give me a clue as to why I'm not a landowner in Pembrokeshire.

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