Trying to find the family of Rachel JONES who appears (as Rachel PETTITT,
wife of James PETTITT) in 1861, 71, 81, and 91 censuses aged 32, 44, 53 and
63 respectively, place of birth Abercarn(e), Monmouth, I have trawled the
1841 and 1851 censuses of Mynyddyslwyn and only one possibility shows up as
far as I can tell and that is in 1851 in the following family
(notwithstanding the slight discrepancy in her age - this could be explained
by her possibly claiming to be older in her later years given the large
difference in her and her husband's ages - he was born in 1818):
HO107/2453 Folio 385 Page 9
Parish of Mynyddyslwyn, Eccles. Dist of Penymain (?) Hamlet
Entry 34, Place: Gwrhay (?)
John Jones Head Mar M 61 Colier Carmarthen, Llan???
Lash(?) Jones Wife Mar F 54 Monmouth, Mynyddyslwyn
Elizabeth Jones Daur U F 22 do., do.
Rachel Jones Daur U F 19 do., do.
William Jones Son U M 15 Colier do., do.
William Watten Lodg U M 52 Coalminer Glamorgan, Llan??
I cannot find Rachel JONES and James PETTITT's marriage in the GRO indexes
but suspect it was after 1851 since James (b. 1818) was in the 57th Regt. of
Foot until April 1857 where his discharge papers show him as being
unmarried. His appointment papers to the Monmouth Constabulary in August of
the same year show him as being married, however. It is therefore impossible
for me to have that useful bit of confirmation as to her father's first name
to help.
My questions therefore are:
1) Can anyone shed light on the ?? (i.e. hard to read) parts of this census
entry especially the mother's first name
2) Can anyone help provide any evidence, comments, opinions, etc. on whether
it seems likely that I have found the right Rachel Jones (e.g. has anyone
else got this family in their tree and have any idea what happened to the
various members therefor)?
3) Can anyone provide any other possibilities for her?
Many thanks
Hugh Wallis
Ontario, Canada