Try this website for some friendy advice.
http://www.brynmawrscene.co.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: <jasylte(a)att.net>
To: <BlaenauGwent-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 10:19 AM
Subject: [Bla'Gwent] POWELL and NEWMAN, Brynmawr and Nantyglo 1840's-1860's
Hi Listers --
First, I want to again say a very sincere thanks to those who sent such
helpful
replies to my first query last month as a new member of Gwent FHS.
I do so appreciate it. Now I'm trying to flesh out more about my POWELL and
NEWMAN histories in Brynmawr and Nantyglo, 1840's through 1860's, before my
husband and I travel there next month. I want to update my info here on the
mail list for the sake of future researchers as well as to ask for your
additional help.
Since last posting here, I finally received the GRO marriage certificate
for my
great great grandparents William POWELL and Eliza NEWMAN: "Third day
of February 1846, William Powell, bachelor of full age, miner residing near
Clydach Bridge in the Parish of Llanelly, and Eliza Newman, spinster of full
age residing at Nantyglo in the Parish of Aberystruth. Fathers John
Powell, labourer, and George Newman, hallier. Married in the Calvary Chapel
according to the rites and ceremonies of the Baptists by Thomas Roberts,
minister. Signed by William Powell and [X, the mark of] Eliza Newman, in
the presence of Jonah Prefodel [?] and Henria Wicks. David Edwards,
registrar."
It now appears that Eliza's NEWMAN family (her parents George and [Emma]
Louisa
and her 10 siblings, most of whom were b. near Berkeley, GLO)
probably remained Anglican after moving from Gloucs. to Nantyglo, as George,
Louisa, and 3 of their children are buried at Aberystruth parish church,
fiche PP10. (Thanks especially to Ann Macey and Nicola Thomas for locating
that crucial information.) However, since Eliza Newman's marriage to
William Powell took place at Calvary Chapel rather than Aberystruth parish
church, they and their children were probably nonconformist, as were their
surviving children in the USA. I'm not sure the family remained affiliated
with that Calvary Chapel in particular throughout their remaining 20+ years
in Brynmawr, but for now I'm going on that assumption.
Here are my questions:
1. I presume Calvary Chapel, Crickhowell refers to the Baptist chapel in
Brynmawr
-- correct? I'd love more information on Calvary and its records,
as I know very little at the moment. I'm not even clear whether the
congregation or building are still in existence, given the dismaying loss of
Brynmawr historic buildings in the last few years.
2. I'm still trying to find birth or other records of William and Eliza
POWELL's children James (b. abt 1847), Mary (abt 1850), John (abt 1852),
George (abt 1854), and William (b. abt 1860) and possibly others I might not
even know about. (I do have the birth date for my great grandmother, their
youngest child Sarah Ann b. 21 July 1863.) The above birth dates are rough
calculations based on census records. I do not find the children on the IGI,
and there are too many Powell children with those Christian names on the GRO
indexes for that to be a very useful tool. Do birth records exist for
Calvary Chapel? (I know that Baptists didn't practice infant baptism, but
was there anything comparable?) Any other suggestions?
3. At least one Powell child, William (b. abt 1860-d. bef 1869) must be
buried in
Brynmawr, and possibly others. Is there a Calvary Chapel
churchyard? Could some kind soul check the Calvary MI's for me?
4. If William Powell was a miner living near Clydach Bridge at the time
of his
1846 marriage, does that suggest where he might have been employed?
(Since he was a collier in every record I have of him, I assume it was coal
he was mining in 1846. Does that seem likely?)
5. I can't specifically locate Clydach Bridge on maps, though I've pored
over the general area and read a good deal about the old Clydach ironworks
site. Was CB a community in the 1840's, or just a few isolated worker's
cottages, or simply the bridge itself? Could someone give me map
coordinates or general directions so we might find it next month? (We'll be
staying at the old Rock and Fountain inn, which I'm guessing can't be too
far away.)
6. Two records now identify George Newman as a hallier, and one says it
was at the
ironworks in Nantyglo. Is a hallier the same as a haulier?
Would this have been iron ore that was being hauled? In the 1840's would
this term have meant hauling by hand or driving a horse or mule cart -- i.e.
human beast of burden or teamster?
7. Where is/was Aberystruth parish church? Is the churchyard still in
existence?
Or would this also encompass "Nantyglo chapelry," whatever that
was? I'm having a hard time getting a grip on all the Brynmawr/Nantyglo
parishes' years of existence and locations, despite Genuki and several other
websites!
I very much appreciate whatever information you're able to give me, and am
glad
to reciprocate if any of my data proves of interest to others.
With best wishes,
Judith Sylte
Whidbey Island, Washington
USA
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