[MER] London Engineers from Merioneth circa. 1850
by Michael & Judy Buckley
Does anyone know of Merioneth blacksmiths who migrated to London in the 1840s? In particular Rowlands and Evans families from Dinas Mawddwy?
My gt-gt-grandfather, John Evans (c.1829~1900) was an "Engine Smith" (1856) whose wife was Jane Rowlands of Dinas Mawddwy, who died aged 54 in 1874 at Bryn Dovey, Dinas Mawddwy from an ‘umbilical hernia, disease of stomach.’ On her death certificate her husband, John, was described as an ‘engineer.’ Her death was registered in March 1875 by Catherine Rowlands, who was present at the time, and was most probably her sister or sister-in-law.
I see that in 1851 Richard Rowlands (56) of 39 Broad Street, Dinas Mawddwy was a Master Smith employing 2 men and a boy. Thirty years later in 1881 his son William Rowlands (47) of 2 Glendovey Cottage, was a Blacksmith in Mallwyd.
Also in 1851 at 49 Paradise Street, Lambeth, lived Thomas Evans (Head) (29) a bachelor "Engineer" born Wales who had a visitor John Evans (22) bachelor "Smith" born Wales.
1861 The Soho Trade Directory lists Evans, John, and William James, engineers, machinists, manufacturers of engines, ornamental turning lathes, tools, gun rifle percussion cap and bullet machinery patent axle tree makers by appointment to HM contracts to the Board of Ordnance, Soho Ironworks 104 Wardour Street.
In 1877 on 12th January my gt-grandmother Catherine Elizabeth Evans (20) of 74 Regents Park Road married Victor Youatt at Haverstock Chapel. The witnesses were Joseph Henry Sabin, a Land Agent's Clerk from Kentish Town and George Youatt the bridegroom's father. Catherine’s father, John Evans was described on the marriage certificate as ‘gentleman.’