By Alva “Bobbie” Davies

Little is known about John, son of William Davies, a miner and furnace man, and his wife Sarah Davies.

John was was baptised on 26th August 1827 at St Thomas’ Church, Dudley. [48] At the time the family was living in Netherton.

In the 1851census John and Mary Davies are listed aged 24 and 23 respectively. John islisted as being born in Worcester and the surname has been spelt as Davis. Their address is indecipherable but looks like 95 Copper (or Coppice) Street. [49]

Marriage and Family

John married Mary Pots on 23rd December 1850 at St John’s Church, Kates Hill, Dudley, UK. He died 1862 at the young age of 35 when the family was living in Church Lane, Tipton. As a miner, it is very plausible that John was killed at work. The “Black Country” around Birmingham, Tipton and Dudley was the home of the industrial revolution in the UK; a revolution which spread around the world. It was a notorious time for dangerous work practices. [50] He was buried at the Tipton Cemetery. [51]

Mary married again Sept 1866 to Job Mills.

Employment

It is rumoured that John owned a coal mine in Wales and that his father had a long white beard and was from Scandinavia. It is possible that the Davies linage descends from Nordic roots.

The family lived for some time at 84 Dudley Port, Tipton.
H
In the census of 1881 [52]

The 1881 England and Wales Census [1] reveals that father John had died, aged 35, and his mother, Martha, was Head of the family.

Name, Age, Gender, BirthYear, Birthplace, Relationship, Marital Status, Occupation, Address

Wm Henry Davies,19, Male, 1862, Tipton, Son, Single, Letter Carrier,84 Dudley Port
Mary Mills, 53, F, 1828, Tipton, Head
Ann Maria Davies, 21, F, 1860, Tipton, Daughter, Single, Draper’s assistant