Thomas Chadwell .... missing !

[Lydart]

This will get searchers going !

Facts:   in Penallt churchyard there is a box type tomb, bearing the following inscription on one of the side panels - "Thomas Chadwell of this parish, died Feb 1917, aged 68 years"   (therefore born around 1849)  It is very clear and easy to read, so no error on my part.

Firstly, weren't box type tombs late 18th century/ 19th century ?   

Secondly, I have searched Free BMD, the relevant censuses up to 1911, the entire original parish records - (baptisms, marriages and burials) from about 1790 to the 1920's and he just doesn't exist, and seemingly, he doesn't have any relatives !

Over to you !!   

[groom]

Just marking this as I've been looking for Lydart and like her have come up with nothing! No, deaths anywhere in the country.

[Greensleeves]

I've been looking with Lydart and Jan too but can't find much.  I see there is a Will in the NAs: 'Will of James Chadwell, Joiner, of Pen-Allt, Monmouthshire' dated 1 July 1780 which at least gives an indication of Chadwells in Penallt.

[Lydart]

That's interesting; thank you for that.   I'll check again the burials to see if I can find him ....

[Lydart]

Found James Chadwell in the burial register.     Funeral 9th December 1779.   No other info.    When I've got time, I'll carefully go more carefully through all the registers to see if I can find any other Chadwells.

[Greensleeves]

There is also a marriage: Sarah Chadwell m. Grooms 28 March 1799, Penallt.  I suppose the Will of James Chadwell (above) might give a clue about family members, but of course it costs to view.

I wonder if the inscription on the tomb is by way of a monument, rather than an indication that he is buried in the tomb.  But tis strange indeed that no record of his existence can be found other than this inscription.  What a puzzle!

[Lydart]

If it were a family member, I'd certainly pay to see it !   

But as you suggest, he may well not be inside the grave .... BUT .... where was he before death ?  Was he married ?   Indeed, did he ever exist !   There is NO record of him on any UK census.

[groom]

That is the strangest thing, the fact that there is no death registration for the first quarter 1917 anywhere in the country. He could get away with no birth registration and if he didn't marry no marriage, but there must be a death registration before a burial. The fact that it says "Of this Parish" and is a tomb rather than just a headstone, makes you think he was more important than an Ag Lab.

[Lydart]

The box tomb is obviously older than 1917.   I first decided to investigate him, to try and find family/others who are inscribed on the other face of the tomb, but very worn.   I decided if I could find him, then I could trace his family through the records and use that info to try and decipher the worn lettering on the other side.   

This is only the second grave I have looked at in the churchyard; we are doing a survey and recording before headstones crumble away .... goodness know how many more mysteries we will uncover !