Notes on Evan JAMES (1773-1856)
References to Leyshon are to LEYSHON, Thomas T - Bridges to Harps and Millionaires: A history of my ancestors James and Edwards, Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire, Early 1700s to 1900s (the author, 1993). References to Tasker are to TASKER, W W - Mid Valley Nostalgia: Hollybush, Markham Village, Argoed, Blackwood (1990, D Brown and Sons Ltd, Cowbridge).
NOTE: The Public Library in Pontypridd holds a family Bible said to be the Bible of Evan and James JAMES, the authors of the Welsh National Anthem. It is understood that the Bible was donated to the library in 1956 by Mrs P J Aurelius of the Beech Tree Hotel, Ystrad Mynach. The inside front and back covers contain the following information:
1) Eth. JAMES b 10 Jun 1771
or 12 Jun 1772.
2) J JAMES, Hazleton, Luzern, Schuylkillfil, North America
3) Daniel P JAMES, Fort Furness, Strowsburg Post Office, Virginia
1848.
1773: WLS GLA Eglwysilan: "Evan JAMES ... born on 29th August 1773, in the parish of Eglwysilan, was the son of a Woollen Manufacturer." (Leyshon, p35) but see 1851 census (below) which gives the place of birth as WLS CMN Pencader.
1792ca: WLS GLA Eglwysilan: "Parish records show that he married Elizabeth STRADLING and was still living in the parish of Eglwysilan when most of their children were born." and "Evan JAMES was obviously of some standing in the parish for in addition to being the owner of a woollen factory, his marriage partner was Elizabeth STRADLING, reputed to be a direct descendant of the Stradling family of St Donats. There were fourteen children from the marriage of Evan JAMES and Elizabeth STRADLING, three of whom died quite young. Evan and Elizabeth brought up their family within the framework of strict christian principles in the church, where he himself was a lifelong Sunday school teacher." (Leyshon, p35). But, Leyshon gives no details of the date or place of marriage.
1798-ca 1810: living at "Castle Inn", Pen-y-felin Road, Caerphilly, parish Eglwysilan (doubtful source)
1811: WLS GLA Caerphilly: "We know that Evan JAMES continued in the family business of weaving, for in Holden's Directory of 1811 under the heading of Caerphilly Tradesmen there is an entry 'Evan JAMES, Woollen Manufacturer'. The family lived in a cottage in Castle Street, Caerphilly on a site now occupied by the present day Workmen's Hall." (Leyshon, p35).
1811: moved to Cwmcorrwg (an anonymous typescript translated obituary of his son Lewis JAMES, provided by Jack HILL of Castlemaine, VIC AUS).
ca 1811/14: living at Cwmcorrwg, between Gwrhay & Argoed, parish Bedwellty
1813: WLS MON Bedwellty Argoed "Ancient Druid" Inn: "...by 1813 the family had moved to the Ancient Druid Inn, Argoed, where Evan built himself a weaving factory." (Leyshon, p35; see also p41).
1814 Mar 22: WLS GLA Eglwysilan: "I found a burial entry in the Bishop's Transcripts for Eglwysilan stating that when their five week old son James was buried in St Martin's Church, Caerphilly on 22 March 1814, Evan is shown as being Mayor of Bedwellty." (Leyshon, p35). There is no baptism record for this child in the Eglwysilan register for the years 1813-1818 inclusive. He was probably baptised in parish Bedwellty. Needs to be checked.
1816: WLS: "After Thomas their last child was born in 1816, Evan's wife Elizabeth [STRADLING] died. Evan re-married and the family moved to Ffos-yr-Hebog farm near Deri in the parish of Gelligaer." (Leyshon, p35). Another source has Thomas's birth in 1817 and Elizabeth STRADLING's death in 1815 but evidence shows that she died in 1824 and Thomas was born in 1817.
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