A much belated thanks to Keith Thomas, Joss O'Kelly, and several
others who helped uncover census and inquest details on Thomas John
MEREDITH this summer. I never would have thought of looking for MURDITHE
as the spelling of MEREDITH. No wonder I could not find him! I now know
where Thomas John MEREDITH was on each census! It helped that Keith
knows the area well in terms of distances and what was in a parish when a
town is split. His knowledge of history of the area and directions
individuals were likely to travel for things like marriage and work were
most helpful too. Joss looked for the inquest while after one for his
family. The help of so many on the list is greatly appreciated, both
this summer and earlier.
I am including a time line here so others with a Thomas MEREDITH
can tell if he is theirs or not.
1828 Thomas John MEREDITH was christened (baptized) at Clodock,
Herefordshire with his father's residence shown as Olchon. Thomas was
the youngest of the nine children in the family of James MEREDITH and his
wife Elizabeth PITT.
1835 his father James MEREDITH Sr. is shown on the Hereford
Electoral Roll for 1835 as owning land at Olchon, Llanveynoe. Llanveynoe
was a chapelry in the parish of Clodock, Herefordshire.
1840 Thomas John MEREDITH is named in will of his uncle James
PITT Jr.
1841 Census shows Thomas MURDITHE, age 13, at Clodock,
Herefordshire, England as a male servant to elderly ANTHONY couple. His
sister Eleanor MURDITHE, age 17, was also there as a female servant. His
parents James and Elizabeth MEREDITH are at Clyro, Radnorshire, Wales
with David, Henry, and Hannah (3 of their 9 children, ages 20, 16, and 16
respectively). Brother William MEREDITH had died in 1836 in Hay,
Breconshire, Wales and was buried in Clyro, Radnorshire, Wales, leaving
two young daughters. Brother James MEREDITH Jr. is in Merthyr Tydfil
area, Glamorganshire, Wales with his wife, two young daughters, and one
born just ten days after census. Only one sister Margaret has not yet
been accounted for in 1841 and she may have been married. One sister,
Elizabeth, apparently died before 1841 census.
1841 Census shows the future wife (of Thomas John MEREDITH) as
Elizabeth WALLICE (indexed as WALLIN), age 20, with her parents Robert
and Ann, in Llanelly Parish, Breconshire, Wales.
1849 Thomas MEREDITH was baptized in Calvary (Baptist) Church in
Brynmawr, Breconshire, Wales. That same year his brother James MEREDITH
and family plus sister Eleanor sailed to America. Both brother James and
sister Eleanor died shortly after arrival there.
1851 Census shows Thomas MEREDITH, age 22, lodger, forge
labourer, born in Lanvanno (indexed as Lanvariw), Herefordshire, with
Watkins family, at 34 King Street, Llanelly Parish, Breconshire, Wales.
1851 Census shows Elizabeth WALLIS, age 27, dressmaker, with her
parents Robert and Ann, in village of Wain Laprey (not sure of spelling,
due to faint handwriting), Llanelly Parish, Breconshire, Wales.
1851 Census shows his parents James and Elizabeth MEREDITH and
his brother David at Redlay Farm, Cusop Parish, Herefordshire, England.
His brother Henry MEREDITH is at Liverpool, ready to sail to California.
1851-1855 Thomas John MEREDITH married Elizabeth WALLIS (or
WALLACE?) sometime during this time period. Have not yet found their
marriage date. It also appears they did not have any children.
1855 Elizabeth MEREDITH (wife of Thomas John MEREDITH) was
baptized in Calvary (Baptist) Church in Brynmawr, Breconshire, Wales.
1860 Census shows his brother Henry MEREDITH and family in
California, involved in the United States gold rush.
1861 Census for Cusop, Herefordshire, England is one of the
missing ones. It is assumed his parents James and Elizabeth MEREDITH and
brother David are still there as all three are still alive at that time.
1861 Census for 162 Worcester Street, Brynmawr, Llangattock
Parish, Breconshire, Wales shows Thomas MEREDITH, his wife Elizabeth
MEREDITH, and father-in-law Robert WALLIS. Thomas, age 32, was a
labourer.
1867 His father James MEREDITH Sr. died in Cusop Parish,
Herefordshire, England and was buried in Clyro, Radnorshire, Wales.
David MEREDITH, brother of Thomas John MEREDITH, was the informant on the
death certificate.
1871 Census shows Thomas MEREDITH, age 43, forge man, with his
wife Elizabeth at Brynmawr, Llangattock Parish, Breconshire, Wales.
1871 Census shows his widowed mother Elizabeth MEREDITH and
brother David MEREDITH still at Redlay Farm, Cusop Parish, Herefordshire,
England. Do not know where brother Henry was yet, except that he was
widowed, had married again (in 1869 at Hay, Breconshire), and apparently
was in the British Isles.
1875 His mother Elizabeth MEREDITH died at Redlay Farm, Cusop
Parish, Herefordshire, England and was buried in Clyro, Radnorshire,
Wales. Informant for death certificate was Henry MEREDITH, her son (and
brother to Thomas John MEREDITH).
1879 Thomas John MEREDITH died at Blaina, Parish of Aberystruth,
Monmouthshire, Wales. The inquest is a little difficult to read, but it
was a work accident at Lower ...Pit in Blaina.
1881 Census shows widowed wife Elizabeth MEREDITH of Thomas John
MEREDITH at village of Garn Vach, Rural Sanitary District of Aberystruth,
Monmouthshire, Wales. St. Peter's is also a place name, but unclear if
it is a church, because all the choices are lined through.
1881 Census shows his brother Henry MEREDITH at Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire, Wales with his second wife and family.
1887 May be the year Elizabeth MEREDITH, widow of Thomas John
MEREDITH, died. Do not yet have this death certificate.
Thanks so much for all your help with details on this brother of
my ancestor.
Ruth Ann
United States