Hicks name database

The Penygarn Hicks families

John Hicks of Penygarn in 1841,  the son of  William Hicks [1749-1819]

He married Eleanor who was born in Llanwrda in 1781 and died Jan 1866

1841, Penygarn [Grid Ref 666221], Maenorfabon, Llandeilofawr

• John, 60 [1777/81], weaver---Died Jan 1849
• Ealinor, 55 [1782/86]
• Richard, 21 [1822/25]
• Ealinor, 15 [1822/25]

1851, Penygarn

• Eleanor, 70 [1781], farmer 19acres [Llanwrda]
• Richard, 30 [1821], son, [Ll/fwr]
• Ealinor, 25 [1826],  dau, [Ll/fwr]

1861, Penygarn

• Ealinor, 82 [1779], farmer[Ll/fwr].---Died Jan 1866
• Richard, 40 [1821] ,  son, [Ll/fwr]---See below
• Ealinor, 37 [1824], dau, [Ll/fwr]---Possibly died 1870 Q/3

The children of John/Eleanor - they were all born in Llandeilofawr parish.

• William,1811/13   (SR has 1813)
• Rees, 1814
• John, 1816
• Anne 1819 (baptism not seen)
• Anne Hicks married Henry Morgan on 6 Dec 1840 at Llandeilofawr Parish Church. Her father John Hicks, weaver, she lived at Penygarn. His father William ARTHUR, he lived at Helgwm. On 1841 census at CEFNYFEDW - Henry Morgan 25, Anne Morgan wife 20. On 1851 Anne was at Blaendu, a widow 32, with John 7, Elenor 6, Anne 4 and William . By 1861 Anne had re married a Lewis Wilkins, Blacksmith, they lived at 18 Company Row Glynaman, Christchurch, seen  in Brynamman up to 1891 (Gareth Morgan)
• Richard 1820/1 - baptism entry NOT seen by me  (SR has  baptism 1820)
• Neli [Elinor?], 1821  See other Eleanor below
• Sarah, 1822 [with brothers Richard/William in 1871 as Sarah Morris]
• Thomas, 1825--died 1825 ?
• Eleanor 1826 (SR)   Possibly a second Eleanor if above Neli died as a child
• Elizabeth, 1827 [ no other sighting]

Rees Hicks at Waenwhiad born c 1811/13 on the BTs/IGI baptised in 1814 to John/Eleanor Hicks

1851, Twyn Cottage, Brynamman

• Rees, 39?, miner[Ll/fwr]--Marriage 30 June 1850 at Christ Church , Garnant to Esther Thomas,wid,[nee Morgan].His father shown as John Hicks dec'd., her father was William Morgan, smith.
• Esther, 35[1816], [Talybont].......[Perhaps this was Llandeilo Tal y Bont given 2 other census places below].
• Esther, 1 month[1851]...........[ Hetty]

1861, Cotton Drive, Glynamman.

• Rees, 49[1812], miner[Ll/fwr]
• Esther, 47[1814] [Llangyfelach]
• Hetty, 10[1851][rest Ll/fwr]---
• William, 6[1855]
• John,8[1853]

1871, Gwaenwhiad.[Grid Ref 669140]

• Rees, 59[1812] farmer 32 acres [Ll/fwr]
• Esther, 58[1813][Betws]
• *Hetty, 20[1851],[Ll/fwr]-----Died 2 Q 1872 (See Richard below)
• John, 18[1853], farm servant, [Ll/Fwr]---see below
• William, 16[1855], farm servant[Ll/fwr]

1881, Waenwhiad.

• Rees, 68[1813], farmer[Ll/fwr]
• Esther, 68 [1813], [Llangyfelach ]
• William, 26[1855],son, U,[Ll/fwr]
• *Richard, 9[1872][Ll/fwr] grandson [of Rees/Esther]

1891, Waenwhiad.

• William, 37[1854], farmer [all Ll/fwr]-----Possibly died 1st Q 1908[Confirmed JH]
• Sarah, 34 [1857]----Died 1946[JH]
• *Richard, 18 [1873], serv, farm servant
• Hetty, 3[1888], dau
• Samuel Rees, 1[1890], son

*Richard Hicks on the 1881/91 censuses (Steve Llewellyn Feb 2013)
"Apparently his father is not named on his birth cert. as he was the illegitimate child of Hetty Hicks 1851-1872 and Rees Llewelyn 1852-1873, my GG Grandfather. They were supposed to marry but Hetty died in childbirth. Obviously Richard did not take the Llewelyn surname although Rees Llewelyn did have some involvement in Richard's upbringing. William Hicks is actually Richard's uncle, Hetty's brother. .......... Richard married a Hannah in 1902 and I have narrowed her maiden name to Jenkins, Bowen or Anthony as these are the only 3 women called Hannah who were married in Llandilofawr in the same quarter as Richard. They had 2 daughters in the 1911 census Esther Anne and Margaret but I have not been able to trace any further children....."

1891, Caeglas

• Rees, 80[1811] retired farmer[Ll/fwr] -----Possibly died 1st Q 1894   (SR has this death date)
• Esther, 80 [1811] [Betws] ------Posssibly died 2nd Q 1900

The next entry is thought to be the John shown above in 1871 with his parents Rees/Esther

1881, Salutation Inn/Betws

• John, 28[1853], haulier & Inn keeper,[Ll/fwr]---Possibly married Q/4 1879 Ll/fwr.
• Jane, 38[1843],[Llansywil]--- Died Q/4 1888
• John Williams, 11, step son,[Ll/fwr]
• William Williams, 8, step son,[Ll/fwr]
• Margaret Jane Williams, 6, step dau,[Betws]
• David Morgan Williams, 4, step son,[Betws]
• Catherine Richards,19, gen servant,[Betws]

1891, Salutation Inn

• John, 38[1853], wid, colliery check weigher,[Ll/fwr]---Possible died Q/2 1895
• Hetty, 9[1882], [Betws]

I have been contacted by a friend (Gtigchelaar[at]aol[dot]com) of a descendent of  John Hicks (Salutation Inn), aged 92 (9/2002) --- who says;--- "She is the grand daughter of John Hicks and is a second cousin of the John Hicks (HicksTrout[at]aol[dot]com, see below). Valmai (see below) was her cousin. John Hicks (Salutation Inn) married Jane Lewis (1841), daughter of John Lewis (1795), who farmed at Abercrymlyn, and came from Llanddewi-brefi in CGN. John Hicks (S/Inn) had a daughter Esther (Hetty in 1891 above)1881-1965, who married the Rev Morgan Llewelyn, their daughter Miss Llewelyn is the 92 yr old g daughter of JH (S/Inn). Her mother said her gg grandfather came from Ireland to work in the cutlery works in Llandebie...". JH (S/Inn) is thought to be buried at Hen Bethel, Mynydd Ddu (Garnant).

The explanation of the 1881 census entry is as follows; Jane Lewis married ? Williams who ran/owned the Salutation Inn.  He died leaving her in the Salutation with her children.  Enter John Hicks who married her, then Esther  was born, Jane died when Esther was young and John died when she was in her teens.

I was also contacted by a John Hicks  HicksTrout[at]aol[dot]com  [Nov 2000]  whose grandfather was the William Hicks at Waenwhiad in 1881/1891. John [JH] told me that he has a family bible showing;

William Hicks born 3.2.1855 died 29.1.1908.Waunwhiad Farm, Glanamman. Married to Sarah Hicks on 11 Nov 1884.     ( no maiden name mentioned unfortunately, and no mention of where the marriage took place).Sarah died 22.7.1946.  

These details of  four children shown ;
Rhys born 20. 9. 1885 died 13.7.1888.
Esther born 26. 6. 1888 died 3.5.1944.
Rhys Owen born 18.3.1891[? not on 1891 census] died 7.1.1974.
Samuel born 15.5.1899 [1889 ?] died 20.1.1959.

Esther Hicks[Hetty] married D.Lewis Price, Brygrinnen or Bryngrinnan,Ystradgnlais. They had one child, Vamlai, who died in 1999, childless.[GRO choice of Hetty entries ; a) 3rd Q 1909 Llandeilofawr, 11a, 1970. or b) 2 Q 1910,Pontardawe, 11a 1348]
Rhys Owen Hicks married Getta Evans, Blaencennen, Gwynfe , childless.[GRO entry 3rd Q 1919, Rees O. to Evans, Llandovery, 11a 3015]
JH's  father, Samuel Hicks,  who was Headmaster at Glanamman C.P.school, had three children of which he's the only living survivor.

The John Hicks born 1817 at Pantypoplar on  1851 census entry below is assumed to be the one on the BTs/IGI baptised in 1816 to John/Eleanor Hicks. He does have a daughter called Eleanor.

1851, Pantypoplar[Brynamman]

• John, 34[1817], miner,[Ll/fwr]---Possible death on GRO on 1852 Q/1
• Elinor, 6[1845]

No other sightings for this John , but this may be his above dau Elinor below;

1871, Llwynyrhaf

• Eleanor, 25[1846], farm servant with Rees family, [Ll/fwr]

In " Hanes Brynamman" it says that the daughter of John Hicks, brother of William Hicks "Rhosaman" was the first to be buried in Gibea chapel cemetery, which was in 1844. And the GRO Hicks list does have an Eleanor death in 1844, possibly the earlier sibling of the Eleanor born in 1845/6 ?  Or the latter entry may relate to a different Elinor anyway.

(4/07) I am contacted by ANDRINAA[at]aol[dot]com who descends from this line and tells me that this John married Elizabeth Hughes, possibly in the June Q 1842 Neath RD.
His above daughter Eleanor  married William Davies (son  of David Davies) -  they went to Ystradyfodwg,  had 4 children ; - David and John born in CMN  and Elizabeth and Gwilym  born in Treherbert.
Elizabeth Davies married Charles Lewin Austin and  they moved to the Brynamman area around 1904, they had at least 3 children, the eldest  daughter Elizabeth Ellen married William John Jones, bootmaker in Brynamman, and they had 5  children; - Mandell who had a shop in Gwauncaegurwen, Clive - deceased, Joan still alive, Delme - who became Delme Bryn Jones - opera singer, Keith - also deceased.

Richard Hicks born 1821 was with his parents , John/Eleanor, at Penygarn 1841-1861, see above    

1871, Tyrygarn

• Richard, 50[1821], farmer 24 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• William, 60[1811], brother, married,[Ll/fwr] --- see below
• Sarah [Morris], 49[1822], sister, widow, [Ll/fwr]---see below
• E. Thomas, 4[1867], niece, scholar[Ll/fwr]

As Richard's sister, this is the Sarah baptised in 1822 to John/Eleanor Hicks on Bts/IGI.

• Sarah is also recorded on the 1841 census as the wife of David Morris, Tirycastell

1881, Tyrygarn

• Richard, 61[1820], farmer 24 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• Hannah, 28[1853], wife, [Ll/fwr]---Possibly died Q4 1887
• Mary, 4 mnths[1881]

1891, Tiragarn

• Richard, 71[1820], wid, farmer, [Ll/fwr]---Possibly died Q/3 1900
• Mary, 11[1880], scholar, [Ll/fwr]
• Ann, 6 [1885], scholar, [Ll/fwr]

The William Hicks on the BTs/IGI baptised in 1811 to John/Eleanor is shown as Richard's brother in 1871.

The likely explanation for William appearing in two places on the 1871 censuses below is that he was actually at Tyrygarn with brother Richard that night but his wife assumed he should be recorded where he normally lived, at home with her in Rhosaman. I don't think the age difference is sufficient to undermine that theory.

1871, Tyrygarn

• Richard, 50[1821], farmer 24 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• William, 60[1811], brother, married,[Ll/fwr] --- see below
• Sarah [Morris], 49[1822], sister, widow, [Ll/fwr]---see below
• E. Thomas, 4[1867], niece, scholar[Ll/fwr] 

1871 Rhosaman

• William, 58, head, coal miner (Llandilo, CMN)
• Jane, wife, 49 (Llanguike, GLA)
• Richard, son, 28, unm, coal miner (Llanguike, GLA)
• William, son, 19, unm, coal miner (Llangadock, CMN)
• Elenor, dau, unm, 14,  (Llangadock, CMN)

Apart from the 1871 entry with brother Richard above my only original data was for the 1881 census (an incorrect one- see unallocated census entries at end of page)  plus the Gibea MIs.

With the latest data below I  now surmise that  this William was baptised on 21st March 1813; his first wife was Mary who is shown on the Gibea headstone as deceased in 1862 - he  married second wife Jane who is also shown on the same headstone as deceased in 1873.

1881, Rhosaman [Brynamman]

• William, 70 [1811], wid, miner,[Ll/fwr]---Possibly died Q/1 1888
• Richard, 36 [1845], son, unmarried, miner,[Llanguike]
• William, 5 [1876], son, scholar,[Llanguke]--- this is probably an error for g/son and he is actually the son of  the William shown below in 1891 aged 15
• Mary Anne JONES,17, serv, [Llangadock]

On the Gibea Chapel [Brynamman] MIs there are the following deaths recorded on the same headstone;

• William Hicks, in *1883 (?), aged 77 [of Rhosaman] See below
• Mary Hicks, wife of William, in 1862, aged 52.
• Elenor, daughter of William, in 1850, aged 4
• Jane, wife of William, in 1873, aged 51

* 1 can't find a death for William in 1883 on the Freebmd indexes and I now asssume that the headstone date of 1883 to be a transcription error and he died in 1888 which fits in with the data below.

I am now provided with the following data for this William by another researcher (SR - May 2011)

• Christening: 21 Mar 1813 in Llandilofawr, Carmarthenshire
•  
• Residence: 1841 in Llanguick, Glamorgan,Pant y Cardinen
• Residence: 1851 in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire, Rhosaman
• Residence: 1861 in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire
• Residence: 1871 in Gwynfe, Llangadock, Carmarthenshire
• Residence: 1881 in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire, Rhosaman.     Occupation; Coal Miner
•  
• Death: Jan 1888 in Llandilofawr, Carmarthenshire

Mary was born in Llangyfelach in 1812, shown on 1841/51/61 censuses  - and died in 1862 as per the Gibea MI.s

William's children with Mary:

• John Hicks
• Esther Hicks
• Richard Hicks
• Mary Hicks
• William Hicks
• Elenor Hicks

No known children by second wife Jane who was born in 1822 in Llanguick, was on  the1871 at Gwynfe (SR) - she died in 1873 according to the Gibea MIs .

The only possible William/Jane marriage in the 1862/73 range is in Neath RD - in the Dec 1867Q

Sightings for the above children;

John

In " Hanes Brynamman"  it mentions a W Hicks and J Hicks, both of Cwmgarw Rd, Brynamman, on a list of contributors towards a fund in a failed attempt to buy out tithes in 1894.

• Born 1838 in Llanguick
•  
• 1841 census Llanguick, Pantycardinen
• 1851 census Rhosaman

1881, Cwmgarw Rd/Llangadog

• John, 43[1838], miner,[Llangiwg]
• Margaret, 42[1839],[Llangiwg]
• Jane,11[1870],[Llangiwg]
• Gwenllian THOMAS, 5[1876],[Llangadog]

1891, Cwmgarw Rd/Brynamman [next entry to Richard in 1891]

• John, 52 [1839], miner,[CMN Brynamman]---Posssibly died Q/2 1925
• Margaret, 52 [1839],[Ystradgynlais]---Possibly died Q/2 1914
• Gwen ? HICKS, 15[1876], [Brynamman]---the Gwenllian Thomas in 1881 presumably ?

Esther

• Born 1840 in Llanguick
•  
• 1841 census at Pantycardinen
• 1851 census at Rhosaman
• 1861 census a servant at Cadoxton juxta Neath
• 1881 census Cwmgarw Rd, Brynaman - Esther Jones
• 1891 census Cwmgarw Rd, Brynaman  - Esther Jones
• 1901 census Cwmgarw Rd, Brynaman; shopkeeper own account  - Esther Jones
•  
• Died Oct 1915 Llandeilofawr - Esther Jones

Esther married Morgan T Jones on 29 Feb 1864 at Christchurch, Cwmamman (SR)

Richard

• Born 1843 Llanguick
•  
• 1851 census Rhosaman
• 1861 census Llangadock
• 1871 census Gwynfe

1881, Rhosaman [Brynamman]

• William, 70[1811], wid, miner,[Ll/fwr]---Possibly died Q/1 1888
• Richard, 36 [1845], son, unmarried, miner,[Llanguike]
• William, 5 [1876], son, scholar,[Llanguke]--- this may be an error for g/son and he is actually the 15 yr old son of  the William shown below in 1891 (no son with him)
• Mary Anne JONES,17, serv, [Llangadock]

1891, Cwmgarw Rd/Brynamman [next property to John below]

• Richard, 45 [1846], miner, [Brynamman]   .... Possibly died Q/2 1905
• ? wife, 40 [1851], [Pontardawe]
• David, 7 [1884]---Possibly died Q/3 1891
• Gwylim, 4 [1887]---Possibly died Q/3 1891

Mary

• Born 1850 Llangadock
•  
• 1851 census Rhosaman
• 1861 census Llangadock

There is a possible Mary Hicks marriage entry in Dec 1867Q in Llandeilofawr RD  on Freebmd to either Thomas Howells or Lewis Jones

William

In " Hanes Brynamman"  it mentons a W Hicks and J Hicks, both of Cwmgarw Rd, Brynamman, on a list of contributors towards a fund in a failed attempt to buy out tithes in 1894.

• Born 1853 Llangadock
•  
• 1861 census Llangadock
• 1871 census Gwynfe

1881, 41 Blaencwm Ter/Ystradyfodwg/Glamorgan

• William HICKS, 29 [1852], wid,  boarder, coal miner[Llangadock] with a Thomas family
• [ Was his wife Elizabeth who died in 1879 and buried at Gibea, see below ?]

On the Gibea Chapel [Brynamman] MIs

• Elizabeth, wife of William Hicks, Rhosamman, in 1879, aged 29 - which fits in with him being a widower in 1881

A William Hicks married a Margaret Davies in Dec 1881Q  at Llandeilofawr

1891, Rhosamman/Brynamman

• William, 39[1852], miner,[Quarter Bach]--he has presumably remarried. Possibly died Q/1 1905
• Margaret, 40[1851],[Gwauncaegurwen]---Possibly died Q/1 1931
• William, 15[1876], [Gwauncaegurwen]---t he so called son of William snr above ? Possibly died Q/4 1924
• Mary, 12[1879],[Quarter Bach]

Elenor

• Born 1857 Llangadock
•  
• 1861 census Llangadock
• 1871 census Gwynfe

On the Gibea MIs on the family headstone  is the entry  "Elenor, daughter of William, in 1850, aged 4" which implies that she was a previous Elenor born in c1846  

Caegarw Hicks families

Richard baptised in 1776  on the BTs is the son of  William Hicks [1749-1819]. I refer to this family as Caegarw  Hickses simply because that is the farm where this Richard was in 1841.

Reference to Soar Baptist Chapel, Llandyfan ;- a Richard Hicks was a trustee (with others) in a  99 year  lease from Lord Robert Seymour in 1808/9
Caegarw and Llandyfan were quite near each other

Richard married Anne Evans in 1806, their children's baptisms from the BTs are as follows;

• Hannah, 1813---no other sighting
• John, 1809
• Mary, 1811---no other sighting
• Rachel, 1815
• Richard, 1826
• William, 1817

1841, Caegarw uchaf

• Richard, 65[1772/6], weaver---Born in 1776 at Cwmydwr. Died 1841
• Anne, 65[1772/6]---Died 1860
• John, 30[1807/11]
• Mary, 25[1812/16]---Died 1845
• William, 20[1817/21]
• Richard, 15[1822/26]
• Jane, 15[1822/26]---No bapt seen

1851, Caegarw

• Anne, 82[1769],  widow, [all Ll/fwr]---Died 1860
• John, 41[1810]
• William, 31[1820]
• Jane, 25[1826]---no further sighting

1861, Caegarw

• William, 44[1817], farmer[all Ll/fwr]---Married  Elizabeth Morgan Q/4 1855
• Elizabeth, 36[1825]
• David, 4[1857]

1871, Caegarw

• William, 53[1818], farmer 60 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• Elizabeth, 48[1823],[Llangadog]
• David, 15[1856],[Ll/fwr]

1881, Caegarw

• William, 65[1816], farmer 60 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• Elizabeth, 60[1821],[Llangadog]---Possibly died Q/3 1888
• David, 24[1857]---Possible marriage to Rachel Q/1 1886. Died Q/1 1890

1891, Bank Farm[near Yscuborwen]

• William, 75[1816], ret farmer,[Ll/fwr]---Boarder with John Jones. Possibly died Q/4 1891

1891,Caegarw

• Rachel, 33[1858], farmer's widow,[Llanfihangel Cilforgan]---See David above in 1881

This may be the Rachel on the BT's/IGI

1841, Penywaun

• Rachel, 20[1821]---with Davies family. No further sighting

This is the Richard son of Richard/Anne in 1841

1851, Ynysplwmwns

• Richard, 29[1822], ag lab, [all Ll/fwr]---. Born 1822. Married  Ann Rees[father David Rees, lab] in1846. Died in 1857
• Ann, 41[1810]---Died 1860
• David, 4[1847]---see below
• Richard, 2[1849]---see below

Have been sent a birth certificate for Lettice Hicks, born 31 Oct 1852 at Ynysplwmwns, father Richard Hicks, farmer, mother Ann Hicks formerly Rees.
Also her marriage on 25 Jan 1879 at Llandilofawr Parish Church; Lettice Hicks, 25, spinster, of Tynycoedca?, Llandilo, father Richard Hicks, farmer ; to Alfred Wilkinson, 21, bachelor, servant, of Gwynfe, father Joseph Wilksonson, shoemaker.

• In 1861 Lettice Hicks aged 8 was a boarder/scholar with a Joseph Edwards family at 'Public House' near Forge Mill (Llandilofawr)
• In 1871 she was aged 19, a general servant with a John Jones family at Bank, near Caegarw
• In 1881 the Wilkins (shortened from Wilkinson) family are at Penyrheolddu (Llandybie) - with children Richard 1 & Mary Anne 10mnths. Alfred Wilkins born in Middlesex.
• In 1891 they are at Waunclyncath uchaf , near Bridgend Shop (Llandybie) - children Richard 11, Mary A 10, John 6 , Lizzy 3, Gwen 4 mnths
• In 1901 still at Waunclyncath uchaf, no Mary A, also a  son Alfred J 2
• (Data from Debbie Kowatch, Royston, BC.  1 Aug 2008)

1861, Bryncoch

• Richard, 12[1849], servant---other family not extracted.

1881, 4 Commercial St/Llangeinor, Glamorgan

• Richard, 32[1849] [Llandeilo]---with Jones family. Born 1848 Q/4. Nothing but age and birth parish to link him to this census entry.

1861, Llwynybedw

• David, 15[1846], carter, [Ll/fwr]---with James family

1871, Penygarn

• David, 24[1847], farmer 15 acres, [all Ll/fwr]---Married Gwenllian Morgans [ dau of Morgan Morgans/Mary Thomas]1870
• Gwenllian, 25[1846]---Born at Penygarn 1845

1881, Blaencib

• David, 35[1846], farmer,[all Ll/fwr]
• Gwen, 36[1845]
• Richard, 9[1872]---see below
• Morgan, 7[1874]---lived in Porthcawl in 1940s, no known issue[PL]
• Mary, 5[1876]---See below
• Anne, 2[1879]---married a Harries, lived in Cwmgors as widow in 1940/50s. Son Frank farmed Nant melyn[west of Old Star Inn][PL]

1891, Trapp Bank

• David, 44[1847],g/lab,[all Ll/fwr]---Died 1917 at Pencefn/Trapp [both buried at Tabernacl/Trapp with son John who died in 1890 aged 5][PL]
• Gwenllian, 45[1846]---Died 1915 at Pencefn/Trapp
• Anne, 12[1879], scholar---see above
• William, 9[1882]---Married Elizabeth[Bess], had 2 dau, lived in Ammanford, High St & Union St.[PL].
  • From a family member; William Hicks 1882-1957 married Elizabeth (Bess) Davies 1880-1967 on 5.12.1907 in Carmarthen. William was born in Llandeilo and died in Ammanford. Elizabeth was born in Bancyfelin and died in Cardiff. They had 2 daughters and lived in Ammanford

 David Hicks of Banc Y Trap was a Trustee of Llwynyronnen Chapel (1898); Source:Llwynyronen Chapel, Celebratory Booklet,1999.

1891, Yscuborwen

• Richard, 19[1872,farm servant,[Ll/fwr]---Married Maria Thomas first, and Blodwen ? second, lived at Llwyn Rd/Cwmgors.[PL] Died Q/3 1927

1891, Cwmcenen

• Mary, 15[1876],servant,[Ll/fwr]---with Jones family. Married Robert James Lewin ,1899. Died 1946 in Cwmgors

This is John son of Richard/Anne in 1841/51

1861, Carreg-yr-ogof

• John, 49[1812], farmer 50 acres, [Ll/fwr]---Married  Mary Thomas Q/4 1855
• Mary, 36[1825],[Llanfihangel Rhosycorn]
• John, 3[1858],[Ll/fwr]
• David, 5 mnths[1860],[Ll/fwr]

1871, Carreg-yr-ogof

• John, 60[1811], farmer 60 acres,[Ll/fwr]
• Mary, 46[1825],[Llanfihangel]
• John, 13[1858],[Ll/fwr]
• David, 10[1861],[Ll/fwr]

1881, Ceincoed[Rhandir Isaf]

• John. 71[1810], farmer 250 acres,[Ll/fwr]---Possibly died  Q/4 1887 Llandovery, aged 78.
• Mary, 55[1826],[Llanfihangel Rhosycorn]
• John, 23[1858],[Ll/fwr]
• David, 20[1861],[Ll/fwr]

Cwmnantyfin Hicks families

This first section is a summary of where I have got to with my main paternal line of Hickses.

John Hicks born c 1747 [based only on stated age at death] is the first in the row of three recorded John Hickses but I  have no real idea where he came from, or specifically, where he was baptised.

There is a " family tradition " that the Hickses came originally from Cornwall , indeed this could still be so, there were about a dozen John Hickses baptised in Cornwall circa 1750 and the name is indigenous throughout the West Country of England. Clearly, the name Hicks is not of Welsh origin in itself , in England it is considered to be a diminutive of the surname Richards. Richard as a given name was popular in Wales in the C15. However, my instinct is that this particular John Hicks was born  somewhere in Carmarthenshire, but where ?

In the period 1750/1800 there were groups of Hicks marriages in the parishes of Llandefeilog, St Peters Carmarthen , Llanboidy and Llandeilofawr , with several other Hicks entries in other parishes within a 20 mile radius of Betws itself.

There is a marriage in Llanegwad parish in 1749, a John Hicks to Catherine Rowland, could they be his parents ?

A thorough trawl through the Betws registers suggests that there were no Hickses around in that parish between 1742 and 1785.

I have not found his baptism in the Betws parish registers but from his  BTs burial entry I know he died in Betws at a house or farm called Tir Collins in May 1813 at the age of 66.
In the Betws register there are two other burial entries which may be connected; The first is that of an Anne Hicks in 1822 aged 77, at a place called Villa. Was she our John's widow ? It does seem likely, she was of a similar age, there were no other linked male deaths in the period, I have taken her to be so anyway. The people living at Villa in 1819 were Thomas and Ann Jones, no clue there, can't find an Anne Hicks marrying a Thomas Jones in Carmarthenshire anyway.

Another interesting burial in Betws was in 1823 , of a Thomas Hicks , a pauper, aged 45. As born in 1778  this Thomas is unlikely to be our John's brother but could he be another son? After all, John Hicks might have been married as early as 1767  or before that even.

Or an alternative scenario centres on the parish of Llandefeilog where in 1778 a Thomas Hicks married , could he be the above Thomas's father and is it possible that this 1778 Thomas was our John's brother , which might suggest that Llandefeilog is a parish to continue my search.

John Hicks 2 's likely baptism entry on Bettws PR  May 25 1788 [John son of John HIX], he married Anne ?, date and place not found after searching  Llannon/Betws and surrounding parishes. The baptisms  found in Betws for their children from the BTs are;

• John, 1809 at Tir Collins, see below
• William, 1812, see below
• David, 1814, at Ty yn y wain, see below
• Edward, 1817, at Ty yn y wain. The BTs also have a burial entry for an Edward aged 2 in 1818, at Argod[?],
• Edward, perhaps named in memory of the above, no other baptism seen but shown as aged 20 on 1841 census with assumed parents, see below
• Sarah, no baptism or census entry seen but possibly her marriage 12 Jan 1861 at Tabernacl , Carmarthen[Baptist]-Sarah Hicks,age 40, spinster, of Priory St,Carmarthen, dau of John Hicks dec'd, mason......married to Daniel Davies
• Daniel, no baptism seen, born 1822, see below
• Anne, born 1825, no baptism seen, see below
• Rees, born 1830, no baptism seen, but shown as aged 10 on 1841 census with assumed parents, see below

1841, Cwmnantyfin [Grid Ref 650110]

• John, 50[1789] mason[all born same cnty]
• Ann, 55[1783]---See also 1841 entry for John Hicks 3 below. This Ann appears to be in two places at once. The only explanation I can think of is that she was indeed temporarily visiting her son John at Blaenant and her husband was confused by the census instructions into saying she "lived with him". The only flaw in that is that their children Daniel and Anne weren't similarily treated.
• Edward, 20[1817]---see below
• Rees, 10[1830]---see below

1851, Cwmnantyfin

• John, 62[1789]stone mason[Betws]---Died 1854 at Blaenantyffun/Betws.
• Anne, 68[1783], [Llannon]---Died 1854 at Pantymeredudd/Betws

John Hicks 3.   Betws register shows his baptism entry March 12 1809 aged 11 days against abode of Tir Collins which links in to presumed grandfather John Hicks 1 who died there in 1813.  

1841, Blaenant Ucha Farm [Lower Dylais hamlet in Cadoxton juxta Neath parish]/Gla

• John, 35[1806], ag lab,[Not same cnty]---censuses ages inaccurate throughout.
• Anne, 35[1806],[same cnty]
• Richard, 4[1837][same cnty], see below
• Anne, 3[1838],[same cnty], see below
• Daniel,15[1822], man servant,[not same cnty]---assumed to be the brother of above John Hicks, see below
• Anne, 60[1781], lodger,[not same cnty]---assumed to be the mother of above John Hicks, see Cwmnantyfin entry above
• Anne, 15[1825], lodger,[not same cnty]---assumed to be the sister of above John Hicks, see below
• plus William Jones 75, Gwenllian Jones 70, Margaret Jones 40, Anne Hicks's father/mother/sister]

1851, Garth Eithin/Llangiwg/Gla[on main road near Garth farms between Cwmgors and Rhydyfro]

• John, 45[1806], farmer 40 acres,[Betws]---Surname shown on this census as HIGGS, and on family bible too.
• Anne, 49[1802],[all rest Gla]
• Richard, 14[1837]
• Anne, 13[1838]
• Gwenllian , 11[1840]---see below
• John, 6[1845]---died 1860 at Tynydderwen, buried at Hen Garmel with parents
• plus 2 Jones[Anne's mother and sister]

1861, Tynydderwen/Llangiwg.[next to Cwmnanthopkin farm]

• John, 56[1805], road lab,[Betws]---died 1869, buried in Hen Garmel---surname reverted to Hicks
• Anne, 60[1801],[all Gla]---Died 1867, buried in Hen Garmel
• Gwenllian, 21[1840],[Gla]
• Mary, 9[1852],[Gla]---no sighting for her after this, no obvious death or marriage entry.
• plus 1 Jones[aunt]

Richard Hicks, son of John 3

1861, Pantyreithin[on Cawder mnt not far from Gellifawr Farm]

• Richard, 24[1837], coal weigher,[Gla]---Married Hannah Lewis in 1860
• Hannah, 21 [1840]---Died 1861
• plus Lewis family[her g/parents & bro]

1871, Pantydderwen [on edge of Wernbwll land on lower slopes of mnt above Llwyncelyn Rd, Tairgwaith where all children were born]

• Richard, 32[1837], miner,[all Gla]---Married Dinah Michael [father William Michael]at Christchurch/Cwmaman in 1862
• Diana, 27[1843]
• William, 8[1863]
• John, 4[1867]
• Hannah, 2[1869]
• plus William Michael, 63

1881, Pantydderwen

• Richard, 45[1836], miner,[all Gla]
• Dinah, 38[1843]---Died 1883
• William, 18[1863]---Married Jennet Watkins in 1885. He died in1889. His son David Watkyn aged 15 months died in April 1888 and is buried in Hen Garmel with his father.
• John, 14[1867]
• Hannah, 11[1870]
• Daniel, 9[1872]
• Morgan, 6[1875]
• Benjamin, 4[1877]---my grandfather
• plus William Michael, 74

1891, Pantydderwen

• Richard, 55[1836], miner,[all Gla]---Died 1908
• John, 23[1868], miner---Married Rachel Ann ?, 5 children
• Hannah, 21[1870], housekeeper---Married Henry[Harry Aberdare] Thomas, adopted dau
• Daniel, 19[1872], clerk---Married Lizzie Evans, 2 children. He died 1934
• Morgan, 15[1876], miner--Married Dinah Jones, 6 children. he died 1941
• Benjamin, 14[1877], miner---Married Mary Rees, 6 children. He died 1949
• Margaret Ann, 8[1883]---Married William Jeremiah, 9 children. She died 1948

Anne, dau of John H 3

1861, Nantricket/Cwmgors

• Anne, 23[1838],house servant,[Gla-Cilybebyll]---
• with Harries family

Assumed to have emmigrated to Pensylvania after 1868 as note on a family bible says " address at David Wilkins...Mr David Wilkins, Coal diger...Johnston....State of Pensylvania....North America."
Looks like they came back from America between 1873[year dau born in US] and 1881.

1881, Rhos/Cilybebyll [ living next door to her sister Gwenllian[MORGAN]]

• David WILKINS 41[1840],coalminer[Llanguicke]--- killed in mine accident 4/1881
• Ann WILKINS 42[1839] [Cadoxton]---Buried at Hen Carmel 1907 ,age 70
• Margaret Ann WILKINS,dau, 8 [1873][AME..US For Alleghenny]---Died 1890, buried in Hen Garmel with parents

1891 Census, no sign of her next door to sister, she was now widowed and probably had to move out of the miner's houses.

Gwenllian, dau of John H 3

1881 Rhos,Cilybebyll

• Evan MORGAN 45,coalminer[Llanguicke],
• Gwenllian 41[1840][Cadoxton]---1867 at Neath RO married Evan Morgan,widower, aged 31, she was a spinster 27, father John Hicks, coal lab. From marriage date it looks as if Thomas and Philip below were Evan's children by his first wife.
• Thomas 21,miner, [all Cilybebyll/Gla]
• Philip 15,
• Ann 13,
• John 11,---lived at Hirfryn, Edward St, Alltwen when in 1908/11 he wrote The History of Pontardawe and   Old Characters of Gellinudd
• David 9,
• Evan 7,
• Richard 5,
• Alice 3,
• Mary 4m.
• Also visitor Thomas Morgan,wid,27,miner[Cil].

1891 Rhos,Cilybebyll,

• Gwenllian  MORGAN,wid 51[1840], Ann 23, John 21 coalminer, David 19 tinman, Evan 17 blacksmith's striker, Richard 14, Alice 13.[Looks like 1881 Mary died under age 10.]

William , Betws baptism entry 24 May 1812 age 28 days, son of John /Anne Hicks, no abode.  

1841, Pencarithin

• William, 25[1812/16], mason--no marriage seen in Betws
• Mary, 25[1812/16]
• John, 2 [1839]

There is a burial entry in the Betws BTs for a Richard Hicks of Penca'reithin in 1838, aged 7.
And a baptism in 1844 for William son of William/Mary Hicks of village, also burial for William Hicks of Betws village age 14 wks in 1844.

1851, Betws village

• William, 38[1813], pauper/basket maker, [Betws]
• Mary, 38[1813], [Penclawdd]
• John, 12[1839], [Swansea]
• Margaret, 9[1832], [Betws]
• George, 5[1845], [Betws]---Possibly died 1860
• William, 2[1849], [Betws]---after the one who died in 1844?
• Annie, 10 mnths[1850, [Betws]

No further sighting for this family

David, baptism entry 13 Nov 1814, David son of John/Anne Hicks of Ty yn y wain, John a labourer  

No sighting for him in 1841

1851, Penfilia Cottage/Llangyfelach

• David, 36 [1815], copper man, [Betws]---Married in 1835 to Jane Rees, widow, in Llangyfelach
• Jennet, 48[1803],[Llansamlet]
• John, 10[1841],[Llansamlet]---Married in Weig/Swansea in 1868, David H a witness
• Richard, 7[1844],[Llansamlet]
• David REES, 18[1833], step son, collier,[Llangyfelach]

1881 Penderry, at Pillar/Treboeth/Swansea

• David,65[ 1816], cooperman[?], [Bettws]
• Hannah, 59[1822][Swansea Higher].---He was apparently widowed and remarried.

1881, 3 Wig Road Higher/Swansea Higher

• John HICKS ,40[1841], coal miner, [Swansea Higher]---son of above David
• Mary, 36 [1845], [Swansea Higher]
• Margaret ,12 [1869], scholar, [Swansea Higher]
• Ann, 9[1872], scholar, [Swansea Higher]
• David, 7[1874], scholar, [ Swansea Higher]
• Jennet, 4 [1877],  scholar, [Swansea Higher]
• Mary, 2 [1879], [Swansea Higher]
• Richard, 2 m nths[1881],[Swansea Higher]
• Hannah,11[1870],[Swansea Higher]
• John CAWDOR, 20[1861] U, boarder, coal miner, [ Aberavon]

The book Growing Up in Wales has a reference to a Bessie Higgs, born 1911, whose father, John Higgs, was headmaster of Tirdeunaw Elementary School, north of Swansea. May be a connection.

Edward, no baptism seen for this second Edward on 1841 with  assumed parents at Cwmnantyfin age 20  

Bettws register shows  a burial in 1846 of Elizabeth age 2 wks at Pant Meredith.

1851, Pant Meredith/Betws

• Edward, 31[1820], ch lab,[Betws]---Married Jane Williams 1844 in Llandybie
• Jane, 29[1822],[Llandybie]
• Richard, 6[1846], [Betws]
• William, 2[1849,[Betws]---Died 1854
• Rees, 21[1830], brother, mason,[Betws]

1861, Carregaman Ucha

• Edward, 41[1820, mason,[Betws]
• Jane, 39[1822]
• Richard,16[1845], mason,[Betws], ---see below
• John, 9[1852],[Betws]
• Anne, 6[1855],[Betws]--see below under Richard in 1871
• Elizabeth, 6[1855],[Betws]
• William, 3[1858], [Llandybie]
• Sarah, 7 mnths[1860], [Llandybie]

1871, Tanrallt/Betws

• Edward, 50[1821], mason,[Betws]
• Jane, 49[1822], [Llandybie]---Died 1879 Q/3. Buried Capel Newydd, Betws
• John, 18 [1853], chem. lab,[Betws]---see below
• William, 14[1857], chem. lab.,[Llandybie]---see John below
• Sarah, 11[1860], [Llandybie]
• Mary, 4[1867], [Llandybie]

1881, Danyrallt/Betws

• Edward, 61[1820], widower, mason
• Anne, 26[1855], dau, mason/dressmaker---Died 1881 age 27, buried with parents
• Elizabeth, 26[1855], dau, mason/dressmaker
• Mary, 14[1867], dau, scholar---Died 1885 age18 , buried with parents

1891, Llwynfasen/Maesyquarry Row/Betws

• Edward, 74[1817], wid, boarder, stone mason---Died Q/4 1894. Buried Capel Newydd, Betws, headstone gives his age as 88 although he was probably only 74.
• with his widowed sister, Anne Evans

Richard, son of Edward

1871,Castell Aman

• Richard, 35 ?[1846?], lab,[Betws---age should be 25, see next census entry. Married Anne Evans of Nantmelyn [father David Evans] in Betws in1867
• Anne, 26[1845],[Llandybie]
• Anne, 16[1855], sister, servant,[Betws]

1881, Bryncelyn

• Richard, 35[1846], lab,[Betws]
• Anne, 36[1845],[Llangathen]
• David John JONES, 6[1875], nephew,[Llandybie]

1891, Tanyrallt

• Richard, 46[1845], lab. gen,[Betws]---Possibly died Q/4 1928
• Anne, 46[1845],[Llangathen]
• David John[Hicks], 16[1875],tin plate,[Ammanford]
• John EVANS, 40, lodger,[Llanegwad]

John, son of Edward

1881, 31 Mount Pleasant Terrace/Llanwonno/Gla

• John, 28[1853], miner,[all shown as Carmarthen]---Bettws register 6 Dec 1873, marriage entry John Hicks 21, [ father Edward Hicks, mason] to Anne Morgan of Bettws,20 [father Daniel Morgan, lab].
• Ann, 27[1854]
• Mary J., 6[1875], scholar
• Maria, 4[1877], scholar
• Edward,1[1880]
• William, 22[1859], lodger, coal miner,[Llandybie]--obviously John's brother.

Daniel, no baptism found, born 1820, assumed to be the Daniel at Blaenant with brother John Hicks 3 in 1841  

Sighting as witness in Nov 1845 at sister Anne Hicks's wedding in Bettws, called himself Daniel HIGGS. Evidence that name Higgs was still used by some family members as late as 1875[family bible]

1847, first marriage at Neath Register Office, bachelor of Drim, collier, father John HIGGS, mason.To Mary Lewis of Llansamlet, father William Lewis, labourer.Witnesses John Davies and Rees HIGGS [brother? the Cwmnantyffyn one].

1852, second marriage, at Neath Register Office, father John HIGGS , mason. Daniel living in Gutterfawr, Llanguicke.Age 30, a widower, married Elizabeth Jones age 28 of Drim, Cadoxton, her father David Jones decd, collier.

1851, Onllwyn/Dylais Higher/Gla

• Daniel HIGGS, 30[1821], widower, miner,lodger with Wigley family, [Mon(MGY),Trefeglwys ??]---This is the  only Daniel Hicks/Higgs on the Gla 1851 census index, so looks like him with completely wrong interpretation of birth parish from original census by indexers. He is a widower as well. Bear in mind he is still in Dylais area where he was in 1841, and in the entry below he gives carms as birth place..

1881, Onllwyn/Gla

• Daniel, 50 ?[1831?], miner, [Carms]---still shown as HIGGS. Age wrong , should be 59/60. He appears to have been widowed for second time as wife now Jane.
• Jane, 48[1833],[Carms]
• John, 28[1853], miner,[Gla]
• Mary, 19[1862], [Gla]
• Daniel, 9[1872], [Gla]
• Rees POWELL, 21[1860], son in law, railway boxman
• Ann POWELL, 21[1860], Daniel's dau/wife of Rees, [Gla]
• Howell POWELL, 2[1879], Daniel's grandson[Gla]

Anne, no baptism found, born 1825, assumed to be the Anne at Blaenant with brother John Hicks 3 in 1841  

In 1854 Ann Evans of Full Moon, Betws present at death of [her father], John Hicks , at Blaennantyffin

Bettws baptism entry 1848 for John son of Morgan/Anne Evans, labourer,Glannantyffin, whican only be this Anne's if she was widowed and married David Evans below afterwards.

Also burial entries ; 1849 Mary Evans age 4 and 1849 John Evans age 2 both at Blaennantyffin.

1881, Llwynfasen/Maesyquarry Row/Betws]

• David EVANS, 69,mason[Llanegwad],
• Anne, 55[1826], [Bettws]
• David,14[1867] ,[Bettws]
• Margaret Evans, 6[1875], grand dau ,[Bettws]

1891 Llwynfasen/Maesyquarry Row/Betws

• Ann EVANS, 66[1825] ,wid, [Betws]
• David Evans,24[1867]single, engine driver[Betws]
• Margaret Evans,16[1875], niece[g/dau in 1881] , dressmaker, [Bettws]
• Edward HICKS , 74[1817],[Cwmnantyffin] ---Anne's brother.

Rees, born 1830, no baptism seen, but shown as aged 10 on 1841 census with assumed parents John/Anne  

He married Catherine Jones  [father Thomas Jones, Clynyreithynfach] at Betws on 25 Dec 1852

1851, Pant Meredith

• Rees, 21[1830], mason,[Betws]---with brother Edward

1861, Caclay Cott/Betws

• Catherine HIGHS, 28[1833], mason's wife,[all Betws]---no sign of husband Rees, perhaps missed if he was using Highs name too!
• Margaret, 7[1854]
• Jonathan, 4[1857]
• Ann, 2[1859]

1871, Garnant Uchaf/Cwmcerdinen/Llangyfelach

• Rees Hicks, 45[1826], [all Betws]
• Cathrin, 40[1831]
• Margaret, 18[1853]
• Jonathan, 15[1856]---see below
• Ann, 12[1859]
• John, 8[1863]

1881 Garnantganol/Mawr

• Rees Hicks,54[1827],mason, [Betws],
• Catherine, 48[1833], [Betws],
• Ann, 22[1859], [Betws]
• Catherine, 15[1866], [Llangyfelach].

1891 Garnantuchaf/Mawr

• Rees HIGGS, 64[1827], mason[stone]
• Catherine, 58[1833]
• John, 28[1863], draper---1881 census with Randall family at 1 & 2 Vaughan St/Llanelly, John HIGGS U 18 Garnant Ganol, Assistant (Merchant).
  • Marriage in 1898 at Gellymaenwydd Ind Chapel , John Higgs age 33 [1865], draper,of Ammanford, father Rees Higgs, mason /farmer.Married Elizabeth Watkins,19,of Ammanford, father Thomas Watkins, Relieving Officer.
  • On Kelly's 1910 Directory;-  Higgs John & Co. drapers, High st  
  • After John died in 1911 (Freebmd aged 48 in Llandilofawr RD) (buried in Ammanford) Elizabeth married Zephaniah Higgs(Freebmd 1914 in Swansea RD)  and emigrated to Fort Plain, New York with son Vivian Gwynn Higgs and other family members. Elizabeth buried in Fort Plain.  Vivian married Lucile Louise Lotee and was a Baptist minster in the Fort Plain area.   
• Catherine, 25 [1866],dressmaker

Jonathan, son of Rees

1881, Pantyffynon Row/Garn

• Jonathan Hicks, 24[1857], mason, [Betws]---Born 1856/Died 1922, buried Capel Newydd/Betws as HIGGS. Then living at Bryncam .Two children also  buried there are...Sgt William Higgs died 26.3.1917 age 22 [ 1895] , died Gaza-Palestine.....and Rachel Higgs,died 22.10.1943 age 50[1893]
• Elizabeth, 23[1858],[ St Peters]---Buried with husband, 1945
• John, 8 mnths[1880],[Llanishmel ?]---Marriage 1904 at Cwmifor, John Higgs, coalminer ,age 24,of Bryncam, son of Jonathan Higgs, mason.to Susannah Davies,age 26, of Penyrallt[?]/Manordilo, father John Davies, lab.Witnesses were Mary Higgs and John Davies. This John Davies probably the brother of my Margaret Davies g/grandmother of Llansadwrn. Headstone at Capel Newydd for Susannah Higgs ,wife of John Higgs, of Cadwgan, Bettws, died 1928, age 50.Also John Higgs, died 1955 age 75[1880].