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Back to Mary Jane (Thomas) Miles

1841 Census Micah & Mary Jones, Llandyfodwg Inn, Llandyfodwg Village (Glyn Llan,Blackmill)

latterly know as the New Inn, Llandyfodwg now a private house close to St Tyfodwg's, Glynogwr, Blackill

 

1851 Census Record Micah Jones & 2nd Wife Mary living Talyfan Fach

1871 Census Record Micah Jones & 2nd Wife Mary living Talyfan Fach

 

                                                                                              

                                         

                                                                            Llangattock - Crickhowell - Breconshire                   

                                                                           

 

                                                   John & Jane Miles - of Llangattock (Crickhowell)

                                                                             

                 Henry Miles                                    - married -                      Celia Jones

           Born : Llangattock 1834                                                          Born 27.12.1834 Llandyfodwg (Blackmill, Bridgend)

          Christened 25.12.1825 Llangattock                                            Baptized 26.01.1834  St. Tyfodwg's Church

          Died : America 1881                                                                Died 18th June, 1908

          Buried : Luzerne, Plymouth, Pennsylvania                                  Buried : Luzerne, Plymouth, Pennsylvania

                                           Children of Henry and Celia (Jones) Miles

.............................................................................................................................................................................................

    William            Micah              Margaret             Elizabeth         Gwenllian      Jane            Henry              Celia

    Born 1860       Born 1861          Born 1863          Born 1865       Born 1868      Born 1869     Born 1871       Born 1876

    Gelligaer         Fleur de Llys       Mynydd Islwyn    Llangenior       Llangenior                         Llandyfodwg    Llangennior

 

Henry Miles was born Llangattock (Crickhowell) Breconshire to John and Jane Miles.  Henry was a stone mason likewise his brother.  Henry built and owned the Squirrel Public House, Pontycymmer and his cousin is said to have built the Llangenior Arms of which he was the Landlord.  Henry's wife Celia was the daughter of Micah and Mary (Morgan) Jones, Micah Jones is recorded as a Publican, Farmer and Stone his wedding certificate to his second wife he signs his own names when most people could only put a cross. On the 1871 Census Record (2nd April 1871) Micah Jones lived at Talyfan Fach and is 70 years old and recorded as an Annuitant which is very interesting and confirms my thoughts that the money to build the Squirrell and the relationship to the Llangenior Arms was from his side of the family.  There are three Talyfan’ s recorded – Fach, Uchaf and Ganol.

In 1881 Henry and Celia together with their children all but son William emigrated from Pontycymmer bound for America, Pennsylvania, they settled in Plymouth, Luzerne County. The journey in 1881 could take from six week to some fourteen weeks depending on weather conditions.  Plymouth had a rich anthracite coal field and Henry was experienced in driving hard headings in coal mines but within six weeks of arriving in America tragedy struck the family.  Henry was constructing a well on the land they purchased when a rock dislodged striking him a fatal blow to the head.  Celia remained in Pennsylvania and still owning property in Pontycymmer, the Squirrel Public House and a small cottage nearby made the journey back to Pontycymmer some three times in her lifetime, bringing her feather bed with her on each occasion.  She never remarried but was able to well support her family.  My Mother believed that along seeing her son William and son Micah and daughter Margaret all who now lived in Wales it was financial and she would return to Pennsylvania to sufficient monies to carry on her life there.

Micah Miles

Micah Miles was born 1861 Fleur de Llys to Henry Miles Born 1834 Llangattock (Crickhowell, Brecon) and Celia Jones born 1835 Llandyfodwg (Blackmill, Bridgend) Micah died Toryfron Farm, Llangynwyd on the 20th January 1922 age 61 years Toryfron Farm, Llangynwyd As a young man Micah Miles emigrated with his Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother to America, he had left the love of his life Mary Jane Thomas behind in Pontycymmer.  Mary Jane’s Mother had wickedly sent a message to Micah in America to say her daughter had died, not approving of the love match.  Ann (Mary Jane’s mother) had herself married against the wishes of her parents which makes her actions even worse.

The national census records show a pattern of how people moved around in Wales for work, the following being a record of Henry & Celia before emigrating to America

1871 Census Henry Miles and family are living 81 Brick Row, Glyncorrwg, there has been great confusion over this as Celia is not clearly recorded, there appears to be lot of misspelling of her name and Micah is recorded as Michael - The 1911 UK Census for Margaret who is age 4 years below, shows her married to William Davies living in Swansea and having been born in Glyncorrwg

1881 Census Henry Miles - census night 3rd April the family are living Llest Row, Llangenior - this is the last record of Henry & Celia Miles before emigrating to America, Henry die in America some 6 weeks after arrival in 1881

Henry Miles	Age 47	Head	Coal Miner	Born Llangattock, Breconshire
Cecila	Age 46	Wife		Born Glamorgan, Llandyfodwg
Margaret Davies	Age 19	Daughter		Born Monmouth, Mynydd Islwyn
Elizabeth	Age 16	Daughter	Scholar	Born Llangenior
Henry	Age 10	Son	Scholar	Born Llandyfodwg
Gwen	Age 14	Daughter		Born Llangenior
Cecila	Age   5	Daughter		Born Llangenior
William Davies	Age 22	Son-in-law	Colliery Co. Clerk Cashier	Born Breconshire Trallwyn
Gladys M Davies	Age   2	Granddaughter		Born Glamorgan Bettws

Children of Henry and Celia Miles

William Miles

William was born in 1860 when the family lived in Gelligaer and remained in Wales when the family emigrated to America.  The 1881 Census records record William in Wales and married to Mary (nee Jones) and living at Lluest, Pontyrhyl (Pontycymmer) which continued to be their home on the 1891 and 1901 census by the 1911 Census they have moved to 75 Bridgend Road, Maesteg.  Their Children are recorded as Thomas Jones born 1879 Henry 1887, Cecilia 1889, Ellen 1890, Harriet Ann 1892, Howell 1899. Ellen and my Grandmother Hetty Ann were big friends throughout their lives, Ellen also lived at Bridgend Road, Maesteg and in 1917 married Levi Evans, her four sons where well known in the valley, William David, known as Day built a caravan which I can remember visiting as a child, it was on Parkers Field, Newton, Porthcawl, I think Bryn Eglwys Gardens are now on that site, he and wife (Eileen) had two sons one was disabled from memory he had muscular dystrophy and the caravan was mainly for his benefit they also built a bungalow at the top of the Hollies, both were keen golfers and members of Maesteg Golf Club. Tommy who was a Manager at St John’s Colliery Maesteg was known as Tommy Singer and lived at Alma Road, Maesteg, his son Philip once featured on tv cultivating snails for the table and serving in his Public House.  Ken was Manager for many years of Maesteg Market and lived a few doors from his Mother, moving into the family home after her days.  Elwyn the youngest died a young man his daughter Judith worked at Lloyds Bank Maesteg and was an active member of the Operatic Society, unfortunately like her Father she too died young.

Micah Miles

Micah was born 1861 Fleur de Llys to Henry Miles Born 1834 Llangattock (Crickhowell, Brecon) and Celia Jones born 1835 Llandyfodwg (Blackmill, Bridgend) Micah died Toryfron Farm, Llangynwyd on the 20th January 1922 age 61 years.  Mary Jane Miles died on the 19th April 1944 age 78 years living with her daughter Beatrice and son-in-law Hiram Davies at Gelli Ebleg, Llangynwyd.

As a young man Micah Miles emigrated with his Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother to America, he had left the love of his life Mary Jane Thomas behind in Pontycymmer.  Mary Jane’s Mother had wickedly sent a message to Micah in America that her daughter had died, not approving of the love match.  Ann (Mary Jane’s mother) had herself married against the wishes of her parents which makes her actions even worse. 

Every time someone left the Garw Valley for the New World – America – Mary Jane asked them that if they met Micah Miles would they convey her love to him.  Eventually the message was delivered and although Micah was now married with two sons, he divorced his wife and returned to Wales - Pontycymmer, it is said he worked his passage back leaving his money for his former wife.  Upon his appearance in Pontycymmer Ann (Mary Jane’s Mother) is said to have drawn her pistol and told him to stay away, he defied her and said kill me, without Mary Jane I might as well be dead.  In 1891 Micah and Mary Jane married, his first wife returned to Wales with the two boys, she become a career woman and the boys for many years grew up with their Father and Mary Jane.  It was a disappointment that the boys did not attend their Father’s funeral although they had stayed close to him.  I know little of them other than they settled in the Aberdare area.

This story continues on the life and children of Micah and Mary Jane (Thomas) Miles

 

Margaret Miles

Margaret was born in 1862 Mynydd Islwyn, Monmouthshire and married William Davies The 1891 the Census shows that Margaret had returned home from America to Wales and that a daughter (Cecilia) had been born in Kentucky, it looks as if they moved from Pennsylvania before returning.   Margaret and her husband William Davies along with their children lived for many years at Gloucester Place, Swansea (the street is near the Little Dylan Thomas Theatre) William worked at Swansea Docks as a Colliery Clerk.  They found living in Swansea far too convenient for visitors who could easily travel by train from the Garw Valley to Swansea for a day out.  My Grandmother kept in contact with one of her cousins (Annie) who had moved to live in Llangadog (Carmarthenshire) they would come and stay at Toryfron and one family story which was often told was that Granny Miles (Mary Jane) instructed one of the children to put manure on the rhubarb and her nephew Willie Webber said to her we always have custard on ours ! 

 

1891 Census Record William & Margret Davies Gloucester Place, Swansea

William Davies	Head	Married	Male	Age 32	Born 1859	Colliery Clerk	Trallwyn, Breconshire
Margaret Davies	Wife	Married	Female	Age 28	Born 1863		Fleur-de-Llys, Monmouthshire
Gladys Mary Davies	Daughter		Female	Age 11	Born 1880	Scholar	Bettws, Glamorganshire
William Henry Davies	Son		Male	Age  9	Born 1882	Scholar	Bettws, Glamorganshire
Celia Jane Davies	Daughter		Female	Age  7	Born 1884	Scholar	United States
Howell Davies	Son		Male	Age 4	Born 1887	Scholar	Swansea, Glamorganshire
Arthur Charles Davies	Son		Male	Age 1	Born 1890	Scholar	Swansea, Glamorganshire

1901 Census Record William & Margaret Davies, 1 Gloucester Place, Swansea

William Davies	Head	Married	Male	Age 42	Born 1859	Stevedore	Breconshire
Margaret Davies	Wife	Married	Female	Age 38	Born 1863		Monmouthshire
William H Davies	Son	Single	Male	Age 20	Born 1881	Colliery Clerk	Glamorganshire
Gladys M Davies	Daughter	Single	Female	Age 22	Born 1879		Glamorganshire
Celia J Davies	Daughter	Single	Female	Age 17	Born 1884		Kentucky, USA
Howell Davies	Son		Male	Age 14	Born 1887	Horsier Assistant	Glamorganshire
Arthur A Davies	Son		Male	Age 11	Born 1890		Swansea, Glamorganshire
Anne Davies	Daughter		Male	Age  09	Born 1892		Swansea, Glamorganshire
Keziah Miles	Boarder	Married	Female	Age 42	Born 1859	Boarder Mariner	Aberdare, Glamorganshire

Keziah Miles Born 1859 died Merthyr Tydfil 1925

1911 Census Record William & Margaret Davies, 1 Gloucester Place, Swansea

William Davies	Head	Married	Male	Age 52	Born 1859	Foreman Trimmer Coal	Breconshire, Trallwyn
Margaret Davies	Wife	Married	Female	Age 49	Born 1862		Glyncorrwg,Glamorganshire
Howell Davies	Son	Single	Male	Age 25	Born 1886	Fruiterer's Clerk	Glamorganshire, Sketty
Arthur Charles Davies	Son	Single	Male	Age 21	Born 1890	Coal Trimmer	Glamorganshire, Swansea
Annie Irene Davies	Daughter	Single	Female	Age 19	Born 1892		Glamorganshire, Swansea

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Miles born Llangenior, Wales 13th September, 1865 died 12th December 1912, Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA Married Evan Reese 1882 - Evan was born 1860 and died 1919

The 1900 United States Federal Census records that both Elizabeth and Evan were born in Wales and have four sons all born in Pennsylvania - John born 1885 : Eddie born 1887 : Hayden born 1891 : Elias born 1894.

Click here to see Elizabeth's death certificate

 

Gwenllian

Gwenllian was born 21st July, 1868 Llangenior, Wales and died 3rd March 1914 Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA

Jane

Jane was Born 5th June, 1869 and died 8th September, 1938 Wilkinsburg, Alleghenny, Pennsylvania, USA she married in 1893 to DavidMorgan born 1860 and died - the 1920 United States Fedral Census records daughter Lizzie Morgan Age 11, Mary Evans Age 9, Maud Morgan Age 8, Isaac Evans Age 7 and David Morgan Age 5

Betty Challenger Jane's grand-daughter wrote to the Rector of St David’s Church Bettws Albert Pegler asking did he know of any descendants of Micah Miles, Albert contacted my Mother Margaret Thomas and the American reunion started.  I remain in contact with Betty’s Son Ken Challenger, he has lived an exciting life, currently he and his wife Gillian own a vineyard in Los Gatos, California and retain a flat in central London.  Betty visited twice bringing her sister Doris on one occasion, Doris was a registrar in Wilkes Barre University. Betty’s daughter Jane and son-in-law also visited and stayed with my parents.  Betty and husband Ken lived in Goodrich, Texas, and Doris, Delray Beach, Florida – Doris lost a son walking home from school in a random Shooting in New York.  Kenneth & Gillian also visited staying with myself and Tony.  Betty and Doris were introduced to many of their Miles cousins and taken to Llangadog to visit their Mothers cousin (Margaret daughter) who was still living. 

Betty Challenger's visit to Wales

September 1980

American & Welsh cousins enjoying a re-union evening Coychurch Road Bridgend

Back row Left to Right Gwilym Garfield - Margaret (Garfield) Thomas) Arthur Garfield

Front Row left to right Tommy Miles - Betty Challenger - Mary (Miles) Hodges

Henry

Henry born 21st July, 1871 Llandyfodog, Bridgend, Wales died 9th January, 1912 Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA the 1910 United States Federal Census records Henry as a Timberman in the colliery he is married to Elizabeth Age 35 and also born in Wales, maiden name Hannock, they have six sons and one daughter, Idris Age 17 : Thomas Age 16 : Arthur Age 14 : Nelson Age 10 : Harry Age 5 : Gilbert Age 1 : and Agnes Age 12. By the 1920 Federal Census Elizabeth is recorded as a widow, her native tongue Welsh, however her surname on the Census is now Reese : additions to the Miles family Mildred born 1912 it would appear that she remarried having two further children with the surname Reese.

Celia

Celia born 22nd September, 1875 Llangenior, Wales died 24th October, 1934 Plymouth, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, USA, the 1900 United States Federal Census records shows Celia married to Howell Pugh with her children, Ethel and Velton living with her Mother Celia Jones Miles 1900 United States Federal Census 12th June, 1990 the family are living Price Street,Plymouth, Pennsylvania, USA