Death of George Williams of Dolgellau 1896

[Nigel Porter]

Hello,

I have the National Probate Calendar entry for my great uncle George Williams who died on 31st August 1896.  Intriguingley it states he died 'at Jamaica'?  He was a mining engineer and the address given on the calendar is Derwen House.  Is 'at Jamaica' meant to be in Jamaica or does it mean it's a place locally?  Does anyone have access to a newspaper of the time with an obituary?  All help gratefully received.

Thanks

[wilcoxon]

DOLGELLAU .
Y Goleuad (Caernarvon, Wales), Wednesday, September 23, 1896

There is a report in this paper, but it is in Welsh.

Bear with me and I`ll try to make some sense of it.

If you want a copy I can email it to you, just send me your email in a PM.

[wilcoxon]

He had a brother R Wynne Williams, and South America is mentioned along with Kingston Jamaica, which is where I think he died.
Something about Bible from English to Welsh,

That`s all I can make out , my Welsh is not much good.

[Dolgellau]

R Wynne Williams was the chemist in Dolgellau, his family ran the business until fairly recently.

If you can scan a copy of your report on this site I will be happy to translate it for you

[Dolgellau]

DOLGELLAU .
Y Goleuad (Caernarvon, Wales), Wednesday, September 23, 1896

There is a report in this paper, but it is in Welsh.

Thanks for the copy of the report here is the translation;

Dolgellau
Mournful News
Last Thursday afternoon news came to town that Mr George Williams, Derwen House, the brother of R Wynne Williams JP of this town had died whilst on his way home from South America. He died in Kingston Jamaica from heart disease at the end of last month. Mr Williams was known to a wide circle. He was one of the most able of men – as a mechanic he was remarkable. He was also a good architect, many buildings which he designed are in the town which are an adornment and a testament of his work. He was on his way home from South America, having been there with regard to the Gold works and setting up their machinery. He had been many times in different countries and when in such places he kept the Sabbath and sought out people who could read the Bible in Welsh or in English – because the places where he went contained many English people who were invited to read. We can clearly see that although Mr Williams may be far away from gospel loving lands he always "thought of HIS name" in these faraway places. He was of great service to this town through his abilities in the gold works; everybody testifies that he was a kind and generous man. He had a respectable burial in Jamaica. Sympathies are with his widow and his children who have been deprived of a tender and caring father. He also left brothers and sisters to mourn for him. They have been given strength through finding peace in the Lord and by entrusting all to Him. May our dear friend rest in peace and may no reckless foot trample on his grave.

[Nigel Porter]

Many thanks for translating this and it clears up the mystery of why my Great Uncle died in Jamaica.  Other than Bauxite mining, there is no other mining in Jamaica, so I was perplexed about why he was there.