Two Gower families -

 Two Gower families

Gower/Swansea 1850

This blog will follow the lives of Thomas Morgan and Mary Ann Grove, who were married.

Thomas Morgan was born in Penrice in 1847 and was the son of John and Ann Morgan

According to the 1851 Census, the Morgan family was residing at Horton, Gower. 

1851 Census

John Morgan, aged 43, was employed as a Labourer.  His place of birth was recorded as Port Eynon, while Ann was aged 41.  Their children were

David and Mary, both aged 9; George, aged 7; Thomas, aged 4; and Samuel, aged 1.

Thomas, aged 14, at the time of the 1861 Census, is employed as a Servant at James Bevan’s farm.

1861 Census

James Bevan, aged 44, is a farmer managing 48 acres of land, while Mary, aged 40, is his spouse. Their children are:

Mary, aged 15; James, aged 10; Rowland, aged 8; John, aged 5; Silvanus, aged 3; and Elizabeth, aged 1.

Two servants are employed: Thomas Morgan, 14, as a carter, and Ann Morgan, 13, as a dairy maid.

Twenty years later, at the time of the 1881 Census, Thomas Morgan is married.

1881 Census

The Morgan family is residing at 100 New Oxford Street.

Thomas, aged 34, is employed as an Insurance Agent, while Mary A., aged 31.  Their children

Mary A., aged 7; Robert W., aged 4; Ena G., aged 2, and Helene E. aged 10 months.

Before continuing with the narrative of Thomas and Mary, we will examine the details of Mary’s early life.

Mary Ann Grove was born in Oxwich in 1850. She was the daughter of William and Martha Grove. The Grove family originates from Oxwich.

According to the 1851 Census, the family was residing at Gander Street in Oxwich.

1851 Census

William, aged 32, is employed as a Labourer, while Martha, aged 33. Their children are.

Martha, aged 7; William, aged 5, and Mary Ann, aged 11 months.

A decade later, at the time of the 1861 Census, the family is still resident at Gander Street.

1861 Census

William, aged 42, is now employed as a Quarryman, while Martha is aged 43.  Their children are.

Martha, aged 17; William, aged 15; Mary Ann, aged 11; Matilda, aged 7, and Edwin, aged 2.

It wouldn’t be until the 1881 Census that Mary Ann, who is now married, is recorded.

According to the 1891 Census, the Morgan family is residing at 5 Albert Place.

Thomas, 44 years old, serves as a Local Preacher. Mary Ann is 41 years old. Their children are:

Mary Ann, aged 19, is a Dressmaker; Robert Westley, aged 14, is a Telegraph Clerk; Helena Elsie, aged 10; Gladys Martha, aged 8; Ehtel Jane, aged 4, and Phebe Sarah, aged 2.

Twenty years later, the family has moved to St. Thomas, and according to the 1911 Census, Thomas and Mary are residing at 17 Kinley Terrace.

1911 Census

Thomas, aged 64, is affiliated with the Sailors Missionary in Swansea. Mary Ann is 61 years old. Their only daughter present is

Ethel Jane, aged 23.

Morgan family grave
Danygraig Cemetery

Aged 70, Mary died in 1920 and is buried at Danygraig Cemetery. The following year, at the time of the 1921 Census, Thomas is aged 74 and is living at 33 Kinley Street.

1921 Census

Thomas serves as a Missionary at Sailors Rest in Swansea. Additionally, living at the property

Philip George Morgan, aged 34, who is the son-in-law, is employed as Divers’ Linesman; Ethel Jane, aged 34.  Their children are Morgan Philip Swingdale, aged 5, and Morley Llewellyn, aged 1.

A visitor is also present at the property, Henry Longhton Hurst, aged 53, who is a Seaman.  His place of birth is recorded as Adelaide, Australia.

Herald of Wales

Western Mail

Aged 80, Thomas Morgan died in December 1927, and he is also buried at Danygraig Cemetery.  The inscription on his headstone reads “43 Years Missionary to Swansea Sailors Society.”  His death was reported in the Western Mail, whilst his funeral was published in the Herald of Wales.