I have just had a long-awaited break on my Davies and Lewis line, but it appears that
I'm now a bit out of my depth in reaching the next step. I could sure use some advice
as to how to proceed at this point.
I have a marriage certificate for my ancestors, Wm. Davies and Elizabeth Lewis for Oct 21,
1846. The certificate indicates that they were married at Hermon (Baptist) Chapel in
District of Abergavenny, Counties of Monmouthshire and Herefordshire. At the time of
their marriage, both parties were living in Coalbrook Vale, Parish of Aberystruth,
Monmothsh. The father of the groom is listed as David Davies, a miner, and the father of
the bride is William Lewis, also a miner. Witnesses were Thomas and Leah Evans.
I was excited to finally learn the parentage of my Wm. & Elizabeth, and thought for
sure I could identify them in the 1841 census, but it is much more difficult than I
expected. Subsequent census records for Wm. & Elizabeth indicate that Wm. was born in
Blaina, Aberystruth, Mon. & that Elizabeth was born in Bedwellty, Aberystruth, Mon. I
have exact birthdates for both of them (from the family Bible) - He was born in 1814 and
she in 1823.
It appears that Wm., being in the 25-28 age group for the 1841 census, was probably living
with another family or on his own. There are several candidates for him in Aberystruth in
1841. I feel that the best way to identify the David Davies who was his father and his
unnamed mother would be to find his birth or baptism at an Aberystruth church. Since he
was married at Hermon baptist chapel, I'm hoping that his family belonged to that
church and that their membership prior to the organization of that church (I think it was
in 1822) might be documented.
I think I might have found Elizabeth with her father, William Lewis and mother, Rachel, in
the 1841 census of Nantyglo. If it is her, she has several brothers and sisters, but
proving that it is her is the problem. There are so many other near-matches in the area.
I am hoping that if Wm.'s family weren't members of the Hermon Baptist chapel,
that Elizabeth Lewis' family was and that I can track them from those records.
Is anyone familiar with the Hermon Baptist Chapel in Aberystruth and whether or not birth
registrations, baptism records or documentation of the membership for the early years are
available? Is there another way to prove relationship to these families that I am not
taking into consideration? Looking forward to any input you may have.
Sherry Adams - Jonesburg, Missouri, USA