Thomas Gee
 |
| Thomas Gee |
 |
| Thomas Gee |
Born January 1815, the same year as the Battle of Waterloo,
Thomas, at Denbigh. Aged 14, Thomas went to work in his father’s printing
office, Gwag Gee. A business that was
founded in 1808 and ceased in 2001.
Thomas was still allowed to attend grammar school in the afternoon.
Thomas during 1837 went to London to improve his knowledge
of printing and returned to Wales the following year. He threw himself into
literary, educational, and religious works. Publications were Y Traethdydd
(“The Essayist”), a quarterly magazine, and Y Gwyddoniadur Cymreig
(“Encyclopedia Cambrensis”) also a quarterly magazine—also, the
publication of 1868, Dr. Silvan Evans English-Welsh Dictionary. However, Thomas's greatest achievement was
the publication of Baner Cymru (“The Banner of Wales”) founded in
1857, amalgamed with Yr Amserau (“The Times”) two later became
known as Baner ac Amserau Cymru.
This newspaper played a great part in promoting nationalist
and home rule. In educational matters, Thomas waged a long and successful
struggle on behalf of the undenominational schools and the establishment of the
intermate school system. Thomas was also
an advocate of the church disestablishment.
1842, Thomas married Susanna Hughes at the Parish church,
Llanychan, Denbighshire.
 |
| Thomas Gee and Susanna Hughes Marriage Certificate Parish church, Llanychan, Denbighshire |
1847, Thomas was ordained to be a Calvinistic Methodist minister in Bala, giving his time and talents ungrudging to Sunday School and the temperance movement.
In the 1861 Census, the couple are living at Vale Street, Denbighshire, with seven children, including Robert F, born in 1856.
1861 Census
1886, Thomas founded the Welsh Land League to campaign for
the rights of tenants.
In August 1898, Thomas attended the founding meeting of the
Welsh National League Council. Died in
September of that year, and was buried at Ystrad Road Cemetery, Denbigh.
Robert Foulkes Gee was a pupil at Holt, Wrexham by the time of the 1871 Census.
 |
| 1871 Census |
A decade later, in 1881, Robert, 25, was employed as a solicitor and was a boarder at 271 Queens Road, Ashton Upon Mersey, home of Thomas B and Margaret Bevan.
 |
| 1881 Census |
1886 Robert married Kate Fletcher at the Parish church,
Ardwick, St. Matthew, Lancashire.
 |
| Robert Foulkes Gee married Kate Fletcher Marriage Certificate Parish church, Ardwick, St. Matthew, Lancashire |
1891 Census, the couple, Robert, 35, Solicitor, and Kate, 27, are visitors at Robert’s parent's home, 23 Vale Street, Denbigh. They have had two children, Olwen, 2, and 8-month Thomas. Thomas was born in Manchester.
 |
| 1891 Census |
Census 1901, the family moved to Swansea and resided at 4 Windsor Terrace.
 |
| 1901 Census |
Thomas was educated at Swansea Grammar School and was prominent in local football. Moving yet again by the time of the 1911 Census, to Hiraethog, Sketty, Thomas, 20, is employed as a Solicitor Article Clerk.
 |
| 1911 Census |
In the later part of 1914, Thomas enlisted and was a private
with the Glamorgan Yeomanry having been promoted on the field to acting
captain, serving with the Royal Field Artillery. Gee was second in command to
Major Bryn Lewis. Bryn was a Welsh
international rugby player. Killed in action, on 2nd April 1917.
 |
| Denbighshire Free Press |
 |
| The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality |
 |
| The Cambria Daily Leader |
 |
| South Wales Weekly Post |
On 13th November 1917, Thomas died at Cardiff Military Hospital from wounds received. Not only did The Cambria Daily Leader write an article regarding his death, but there were further articles published in the Denbighshire Free Press, South Wales Weekly Post, and The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality.
 |
| Thomas Gee Bethel Welsh Congregational Chapel |
Comments
Post a Comment