I had found the possible marriage of Frederick's father Thomas, ordered and by pure coincidence arrived today.
Merthyr Tydfil registry office 27Jun1858,
Thomas Davies, 23, Carpenter, father David Davies (farmer, in reality a farm Bailiff) to
Mary Phillips, 21, father John Phillips (deceased) "Engine Tender",
give address as Mountain Ash
That's good news to get a result
Howells for the sister is definitely right as the obtiuary for Frederick's father Thoma in 1906 mentions his children including "Mrs. Howells (wife of the Rev. Mr. Howells, Maesteg)".
UnfortunatelY doesn't give her first name. Sisters were Mary Ann, Alice, Sarah and Margaret Ellen.
Does this still tie up with David Christmas Howell as the prospective husband?
I'm thinking yes but further investigation needed to be 100% certain
the two different mmn entries on GRO indexes, these appear to be the correct birth entries for their children - am I missing something obvious
HOWELL, GWLADYS MAY
mmn DAVIES 1895 M Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 822
HOWELL, BLEDDYN
mmn THOMAS 1899 S Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 764
census said 3 children 2 living so I've been trying to see if I can match up an entry, so far this is all I've come up with, marriage was 1892
HOWELL, ARTHUR
mmn THOMAS 1894 D Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 782
FreeBMD has Arthur Howell's death age 0 Dec 1894, GRO indexes give age as 1
(which I would presume is 1 month)
possible death entry for David's wife
Marianne Howell Age: 68 (born c1861)
Mar 1929 Bridgend Volume: 11a Page: 1125
1891 census Mary Ann born c1861 Mountain Ash is not with her parents Thomas & Mary and siblings which includes her brother Fred W Davies age 17 grocer's asst. living 65 Duffryn St.
it might help if she can be found on 1891 census
There is this marriage on family search but it's in Pembroke and no father's name given
19 Dec 1882 Amroth, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Thomas Thomas age 21
Mary Anne Daviesignore the above as this couple can be found on 1891/1901/1911 living in Amroth
ADDED - found David on 1891 census
1 Mill Rd Gelligaer
Wesleyan Chapel next to the above
Visitor
D C HOWELL single age 30 Llanwnda, Pembrokeshire occ Student theology
Head David Thomas 36 occ carpenter, wife Elizabeth Thomas 35 occ confectioner