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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 31 March 09 22:32 BST (UK)

Title: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 31 March 09 22:32 BST (UK)
Hi :)

There is a Fairfield Lane in the Hawthorn area of Pontypridd, which is named after an old house that was situated there.

The house is shown on the 1885 OS maps, and was still there into the 20th century, but I think that it has now been demolished.

I have been told that we have a family connection with the house ~ perhaps relatives lived there.

I was hoping that someone might know something about the place or its occupants, please??
Is there any information out there?
 

Thank you :)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 01 April 09 01:58 BST (UK)
The Genuki site shows a Rev David Williams being in residence in 1880 taken from Slaters directory . He was also a JP

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/LlantwitFardre/Pontypridd/slaters.1880.html

scroll down to Gentry & Clergy

Worth trying some other directories

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/findbylocation.asp

Sue
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Wednesday 01 April 09 02:10 BST (UK)
Hi Sue.

Thank you very much for that.

Yes, directories would be a good place to start. Thanks ~ good idea :)

I don't think that the Reverend Williams was connected to us ~ it doesn't ring any bells.
I'm guessing that the connection was probably later than that ~ into the 20th century, probably.

Thanks again :)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 01 April 09 02:47 BST (UK)
You are welcome Tricia 2

Without denigrating the social standing of your Ancestors - could it be one of them worked there?

The other why is to find the house on the census records - fiddly and time consuming or try the very helpful library for Rhondda Cynon Taff area to see if they have any other directories or electoral records.
The staff at Treorchy library are worth contacting- they really go the extra mile for enquiries. You will find them by google search. There is an online form on the website.

Have fun
sue


Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Wednesday 01 April 09 08:35 BST (UK)
Thanks Sue.

Yes, it's possible that they worked there ~ perhaps as a driver / chauffer, as I heard that a car was involved.
I really don't know, but I'll see what emerges with a bit of digging :)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Dave Jones on Wednesday 01 April 09 12:10 BST (UK)
Fairfield was occupied by the Hamlen Williams family in late 19th Century. They were a well known philanthropic family in the Pontypridd area
Kellys Directory 1901 shows Theophilus Richards Hamlen Williams as occupier.
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Dave Jones on Wednesday 01 April 09 12:23 BST (UK)
Sorry I intended to say that Doctor Theophilus Hamlen Williams was the nephew of Rev David Watkin Williams referred to above and inherited Fairfield on his uncles death in May 1891.

Hope this helps you track down more details.
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Wednesday 01 April 09 12:28 BST (UK)
Thank you Dave.

I wonder if my relatives bought the property from the Williams family, or worked for them , or worked for the people who owned it after them.
Quite a mystery! :)

Thank you!

(Or maybe they were somehow related to the Williams family???)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: philRichards on Saturday 23 September 17 11:39 BST (UK)
error
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: philRichards on Saturday 23 September 17 11:44 BST (UK)
Fairfield was occupied by the Hamlen Williams family in late 19th Century. They were a well known philanthropic family in the Pontypridd area
Kellys Directory 1901 shows Theophilus Richards Hamlen Williams as occupier.

Dave,

Theophilus Richards, would he be connected to Birmingham by any chance. I'm trying to connect this family to Wales.

Regards

Phil
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Saturday 23 September 17 22:42 BST (UK)
Hi Phil :)

I imagine that you may be looking for a connection with Westley Richards? That would be interesting :)

https://www.gun-vault.com/theophilus-richards-birmingham
https://birminghamcathedral.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/theophilus-richards-1747-1828/
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: philRichards on Sunday 24 September 17 07:17 BST (UK)
Hi Phil :)

I imagine that you may be looking for a connection with Westley Richards? That would be interesting :)

https://www.gun-vault.com/theophilus-richards-birmingham
https://birminghamcathedral.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/theophilus-richards-1747-1828/

Thanks Tricia, I have that, i'm more interested in Thomas. I saw one of the replies quoting Theophilus Richards and thought you were following the same family.
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Sunday 24 September 17 11:14 BST (UK)
Good luck with it Phil.
I don't know what connection my family had with this one - if any.
(I'm from Birmingham, myself :)  )
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: heddwch on Monday 17 August 20 23:05 BST (UK)
Have done recent research regarding this house Elizabeth Miles owned this  house in 1911  please get in touch if you require any more details

Heddwch
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 18 August 20 00:47 BST (UK)
Hello Heddwch  :)

Thank you very much for passing on that information.

I shall have to look into Elizabeth and her family and see if I can find a relationship to my ancestors :)

Lovely.
Thanks again :)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: heddwch on Tuesday 18 August 20 23:04 BST (UK)
Hi have done research on this lady for a future book that is to be written  so if you want any info let me know 

Best wishes
Lynfa
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: heddwch on Wednesday 19 August 20 11:21 BST (UK)
Fairfield  house  Hawthorn  Nr Pontypridd Glamorgan
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Sunday 10 January 21 04:02 GMT (UK)
Very sorry for the late reply.

That's a great photo. Thank you. :)
Now I just need to work out what our link was with the house or its inhabitants.

My Mum's late cousin phoned her one day and I chatted to him, briefly, about his family memories. That was when he said that there was a connection with 'Fairfield'. And that's all I know. :(
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: strictlysnoopy on Thursday 08 July 21 11:51 BST (UK)
My grandfather was a shoeshine boy up to 1914 at Fairfield.    He used to travel with the owners.,  don't know their names sorry, up to their second home in Llandrindod Wells.    At 14 he enlisted for WW1 by altering his birth certificate and joined the army.   His family contacted the owners of Fairfield and they paid for his release as he was underage.   He then returned to work for them before he enlisted again later.
    What a kind thing to do, so if these are your relatives then 'Thank You ' because without their kindness I wouldn't be here most probably.
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: heddwch on Friday 09 July 21 16:01 BST (UK)
HI  Elizabeth Miles lived in this house in 1911  she also owned the The Metropole in Llandrindod Wells  If you visit the hotel in Llandrindod  there is a painting at this Hotel.  She also run the The New Inn in Pontypridd.  She was left a widow with two young chlldren  whilst living in Pontypridd  but became very successful and rich.   Her tombstone is in Sty Marys Church in Glyntaff Pontypridd   I helped write a book recently and she was one of the subjects included 

Kindest regards
Heddwch
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Sunday 29 August 21 04:49 BST (UK)
My grandfather was a shoeshine boy up to 1914 at Fairfield. ... At 14 he enlisted for WW1 by altering his birth certificate and joined the army.   His family contacted the owners of Fairfield and they paid for his release as he was underage.   He then returned to work for them before he enlisted again later.
What a kind thing to do, so if these are your relatives then 'Thank You ' because without their kindness I wouldn't be here most probably.

That is, indeed, very kind. Thank you for commenting. :)
I have no idea what our family relationship is to this place; just a mention of it being connected, by a now-deceased cousin. I wish I knew more :)
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Sunday 29 August 21 04:52 BST (UK)
HI  Elizabeth Miles lived in this house in 1911 ....
Kindest regards
Heddwch
Thank you :)
She sounds like a very interesting woman. Do you know if 'Miles' was her married or maiden name, please, because, during the same conversation with this elderly cousin, he mentioned a lady named Elizabeth, or Lizzie.
Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: heddwch on Sunday 29 August 21 17:59 BST (UK)
Elizabeth Miles   born  1847  died 1837    The daugher of Francis and Diana Spencer who kept an inn in Treforest
Elizabeth  was a widow in 1881 census  she had two young children age  one year old and the other 2 months.  Her husband Shadrach Miles    and sadly died in at the age of 29 years   They married in 1867
She run the Bridgend Inn in Ystradyfodwg  then New Inn in Pontypridd  and had 20 staff to help here.
She owned other hotels  Bridge Hotel in Llandrindod Wells   and was the largest Hotel in Wales
She also renamed the hotel the Metropole  and is it still there today and a photo of her is on the walls there.  Her sons William and Francishad now reached manhood and helped her with her Business
She lived in Fairfield House

Heddwch




Title: Re: 'Fairfield', Hawthorn, Pontypridd
Post by: Tricia_2 on Friday 11 February 22 14:51 GMT (UK)
Elizabeth Miles   born  1847  died 1837    The daugher of Francis and Diana Spencer who kept an inn in Treforest
Elizabeth  was a widow in 1881 census  she had two young children age  one year old and the other 2 months.  Her husband Shadrach Miles    and sadly died in at the age of 29 years   They married in 1867
She run the Bridgend Inn in Ystradyfodwg  then New Inn in Pontypridd and had 20 staff to help here.
She owned other hotels  Bridge Hotel in Llandrindod Wells   and was the largest Hotel in Wales
She also renamed the hotel the Metropole  and is it still there today and a photo of her is on the walls there.  Her sons William and Francis had now reached manhood and helped her with her Business
She lived in Fairfield House

Heddwch

Hello Heddwch,
Sorry for such a long delay in replying. I only just found your reply.

Thank you for the information. I shall look into this further and see what I can find out. It's all very interesting.

I have certainly heard of the New Inn in Pontypridd. Mum has mentioned it to me several times. I'll ask her about this. :)

All the best
Tricia :)