Jeff,
Yes, he was there in the 1901 census and was 11 yrs old, along with an Elizabeth---who we
believe was his twin, also aged 11. Also there was Jenkin Williams, his older brother, 13
then. Family members told my husband that Elizabeth died, but we just don't know what
happened to Jenkin.
John was "adopted" at age 14 from the orphanage by a farmer who John said,
"didn't want a son---he wanted a slave," so he eventually ran away, was
taken in by a Powell lady who brought him to the U.S. along with her own children.
(Probably more than you wanted to know---but interesting, I think, none the less.)
John died in the U.S. at age 58, and my husband was only a teenager at the time. He
regrets now that he didn't ask his father more about his background.
We travelled to Wales in May last year, did actually find Ayton Terrace in Llwynypia,
where John lived as a child, but no one knew anything about the "Cottage Homes for
Pauper Children." We are just wondering if there are still records that exist that
could tell us the fate of John's siblings.
I will certainly explore the links you have provided, and I thank you so much for you
help.
Laura Williams
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Coleman [mailto:Jeff.Coleman@ntlworld.com]
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 6:03 PM
To: wales-gen(a)rootsweb.com; Laura Williams
Subject: Fw: [WALES-GEN] Orphanage
Cottage Homes were run by local Poor Law Unions (Boards of Guardians) for
orphan children or others in the care of the Guardians for some reason.
Llwynypia would have been under the Pontypridd Union in 1889 and 1890s.
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/ explains the Poor Law and has huge amounts of
information. After reading introductions look for details on Pontypridd
Search on Workhouse locations on the left, then Welsh Poor Law Unions, then
Glamorgan then Pontypridd.
You will see a map of the location of the 'Cottage Homes' in Church
Village,
Llantwit Vardre, and a photo.
Have you found him there in the 1901 census?
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Laura Williams" <liwilliams(a)frostburg.edu>
To: <WALES-GEN(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 5:16 PM
Subject: [WALES-GEN] Orphanage
> Does anybody have any information on "The Cottage Home For Pauper
> Children," in Wales? My husband's father, John Evan Williams(DOB
> 5/11/89), from Llywnypia, was orphaned at nine years of age and was
> placed in this orphanage, so I assume it was close to Llywnypia. We
> believe he may have had a brother, named Jenkin who was also placed there
> at the same time. John was adopted at approximately age 14, but we don't
> know what happened to his brother. We would like to know if he remained
> in Wales, and if his relatives still reside there.
> Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
>
> Laura I. Williams, RN
> Brady Health Center
> Frostburg State University
> 101 Braddock St.
> Frostburg, MD 21532 U.S.A.
> 301-687-4310
>
> The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who
> must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Douglas
> MacArthur
>