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Chapter 11
JAMES - The Welsh "Man of Norfolk"
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Six years after George IV came to the throne, James, son of James and
Biddy Metcalfe) was born, at Wells-next-the-Sea, and baptised at
St. Nicholas Church, on 27 February 1826.
James was the second son of his parents' marriage (following four years
after his brother - Robert's - birth), and in later years was to accompany
his father to South Wales.
On the 1841 Census, James appears with his parents and the rest of
the family, living at Lugger (or Logger) Yard, and was recorded as age
13 - although in reality he was aged 15. By 1848, his youth, and a
seven year apprenticeship behind him, James' "Rank or Profession
followed" was stated on his Certificate of Marriage, as being that of a
" Shipwright".
Rev. Val (?) Hill, who from the early 1800's had "married" at least eleven
Powditch's in the Wells-next-the-Sea Parish Church of St. Nicholas,
added a twelfth to his tally, when James Powditch, "of full age" (he was
22 years old), a Bachelor and Shipwright, resident at "Wells" (and son
of James Powditch, Sailor) - married - according to the Rites and
Ceremonies of the Established Church, after Banns - Elizabeth
Rumbles, also "of full age" (she was approximately 24 years old), and
a Spinster.
Elizabeth, who for ever after in the family was known as "Betsy" also
hailed from Wells-next-the-Sea, and her "Rank or Profession" was
given as "Servant". Her father's name was Thomas Rumbles, and he
was shown as "Labourer". Both James and Elizabeth signed the
register, in the presence of John and Lucy Edwards. The date of this
important event was 18 May 1848.
1848, besides being an important date for Powditchs, was also famous
for it being the Year of Revolutions. In this year, the Third French
Revolution broke out in Paris. King Louis Philippe was driven from his
throne and fled to England, and a Republic was established in France.
The shock of this revolution caused the throne of every monarch in
Europe to totter; insurrections took place in Italy, Spain, Germany and
Austria, and demands for "a popular government" were put forward
everywhere. Following hard on the heels of these Revolutions, England
saw the Great Chartist demonstration take place - only to fizzle out by
the end of the year.
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Registered, both at Walsingham (the Registration District includes
Wells-next-the-Sea), and between January and March 1849, the birth
of Sarah Ann Powditch heralded the start of James and Betsy's own
family.
At some time between the birth of Sarah Ann in 1848/49, and 1850
- when their second child was born - James, Betsy and baby Sarah,
together with whatever belongings they had, appear to have either
accompanied, or followed, James' father (also named James), to
Milford Steynton (modern day Steynton), near Milford Haven, South-
West Wales.
Both James's being "men of the sea", it is possible - though
exceedingly lengthy in both distance and time - that the journey from
Wells to Wales was by ship. The road journey would have been
shorter and quicker, although the route, - changing at London - may
have given opportunity for the family to meet up with son and brother
Robert, at Poplar.
The 1845 White's Gazeteer and Directory of Norfolk states that;-
(The 'Hero' was the name of the coach, and the 'Crown' was a
residential hotel in the south-east corner of the Buttlands, at Wells-
next-the-Sea).
- any possessions may have preceded - or followed - them on one
of "Green and Archer's" (Carrier) vans, which went from Church Street,
Wells, to London, "every Monday and Thursday' - at 3 o'clock in the
morning !
Whatever means, whichever route, whether there was a meeting with
Robert or other London-based Powditch's is unknown - but what is
known, is that by the time that James and Betsy's second child -
James Thomas, was born, the family had already arrived at, and were
living in, the area around Milford Haven.
Did those Powditch's newly arrived at Milford, experience the
description (in a pamphlet) by the Victorian Jelinger Symons, who
described the vision, thus;-
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The village of (Milford) Steynton, sits atop of the hill leading down to
the Haven, its few houses and a pub clinging to its cross-roads, whilst
the Church and churchyard lie close by.
Into this community at various times, from the late 1840s to at least the
mid 1850s, Powditch's were born, married, and died. At least one
came and stayed, whilst the others came, but moved on to fresh
pastures within a few years.
We have already looked at James - the Trinity Man, in Chapter 5, and
have mentioned the presence also of his daughter, Sarah Ann, who
must have accompanied the family to Steynton, to have married
Thomas James there in late 1853/early 1854 (registered between
January and March 1854). We have also seen that both James
Senior and his daughter, Sarah Ann (by now, married), were living at
Main Cross Street, Milford Steynton, up to 13 July 1855, when James
senior, died.
Before 1885 however, James (junior), and Betsy, together with their
daughter, Sarah Ann (who had been born at Wells-next-the-Sea), and
their son - James Thomas (who had been born at Milford Steynton),
had not only moved further east - to Cardiff - another major sea-port
of South Wales - but had had yet another child - Robert Henry -
born at Cardiff in 1853.
Between 1848/49 and 1852, James and Betsy were to have 10
children; one born in Norfolk, one born in Pembrokeshire (South-West
Wales) - and 8 born at Cardiff, in the Welsh County of Glamorgan.
James and Betsy's children were;-
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The first discovery of the address of the family at Cardiff, is in the 1871
Census (as I haven't yet checked the 1861 Census).
In 1871, at No.12, Dry Dock (1 house), on the night of the Census,
were;-
- and on the same Census night, living next door, at No.13, Dry Dock
(High buildings of Yard, Dry Docks and Offices), were;-
As had been already learnt from James' marriage certificate to Betsy
(and as is confirmed by the 1871 Census), his "Trade" was that of a
"Shipwright" - and the fast growing dockland area of Cardiff became
the family's base, not only for his work, but also for the births, marriages
and deaths of his descendants.
In October 1882, a booklet, under the title "Port of Cardiff" was
published, which sought to both congratulate those who had the
foresight to develop the area, and to promote the facilities in order to
encourage more trade.
The booklet ended one chapter, by concluding;-
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The "rich mineral treasures", were coal - the "black gold" treasure of
the South Wales pits, and the "capitalists of the hills", were the many
mine-owners (mostly English), who through the slave-labour of the
workers, and the demand of the world, shipped - via the port of Cardiff
- to "Foreign" countries, the following tonnage;-
- thus leading to Cardiff becoming the largest shipping port for coals,
foreign-wise, in the world. Coal, however, was not the only trade at the
docks, as reference to the Port of Cardiff" booklet reveals.
Kelly's Directory of Cardiff for 1875, records that;-
Into this hubbub of construction work - whether for the new docks, or
for the many new homes being built for the explosion in population;-
- James, Betsy, and their two young children had settled, around the
year 1852.
"Dry Dock" - where the family had been living from at least 1862 up to
the time of the 1871 Census - was a residential area, and by checking
both the Census, and the locality's Trade Directories, is shown to have
had a number of inhabitants. Although consisting mostly of
Shipwrights, the presence of a Shipbuilder living on his premises
indicates that besides being residential, it was also the workplace for
others.
"Tradition" in Mary Bennett (nee Powditch)'s family, is that James was
"a very big man" (in size), and that when her Grandfather (James
Thomas, son of the "very big man") was a child, he was "put into
James' huge boots". The same "tradition" holds that James once been
monied, having had servants and nannies - but had also been a
gambler - and "with friends" used to go to the Castle to play cards,
and whilst there had lost his money to the Marquis of Bute. The
comment by the
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descendants of James, had been, "if he had been sensible he could
have kept everything".
Because I have not yet positively traced James and family to a
particular address during the period 1852 - (when I believe that they
arrived in Cardiff, the year before Robert Henry's birth in 1853) - to
1862. anything could have happened during those years. Certainly
James' marriage to Betsy (a Servant) doesn't suggest that he was
wealthy, although he could have found his "fortune" at Milford Steynton,
or on arriving at Cardiff.
The references to James having "played cards at the Castle", and
also "the Marquis of Bute lived in the Castle" could be misleading, for
whilst it is acknowledged that the Marquis of Bute did indeed live at
Cardiff Castle (which was not that far away from the dockyard), there is
a greater possibility (unless the tradition is correct), that a local hostelry
may have been named either the "Marquis of Bute", or the "Castle" -
and that it was at those places that James hadn't "been sensible".
Was it true? Could the comment that "a fleet of ships" had been his (or
his father's) have been true also? Whether the gambling story will bear
fruit in later research we'll have to wait and see, but certainly James
and Betsy, who had been baptised and married in the Church of
England, and had baptised their first three children (at least) in the
same denomination, suddenly - from at least 1861 - became active
members of the Wesleyan (English) Methodist Chapel in Loudoun
Square, Cardiff. ("Loudoun" is pronounced as "Low" [as in Pow]" dun"
- and the Chapel had only been founded in the Square two years
earlier, in 1859).
On 20 August 1862, therefore, we find Sidney, son of James and Betsy
Powditch, in the Wesleyan Register of Baptisms, with the family living
at "Docks, Cardiff". Sidney was baptised at the age of seven weeks,
by the Minister - Walter Vercon.
Eight weeks later, a burial order (No. 1268) was made out for Sidney
Powditch, who had died on 4 March 1863. The "order" was for his
burial at Cardiff Cemetery, and his funeral, on 6 March1863, was at
4.30 pm. He was the second born Sidney to be buried in grave No.
Q479.
A clue exists here, for the first Sydney - who was born in 1860, and
died 25 February 1861 (being buried on 27 February 1861, at
3.00 p.m.), was not only the first Powditch to be buried in grave
No. Q479, but reference "Q" in Cardiff Cemetery denotes that it was
one of the "non-conformist" burial areas - so James' "conversion"
must have occurred before 1861. Both burial orders show James and
Betsy residing at "Dry Docks" in the Parish of St. Mary (even non-
conformists were shown to be in a "parish" of a particular Church at
their death).
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Returning to the baptisms of James and Betsy's children, Jemima was
baptised on 15 June 1864 Interestingly, Jemima, who was born at
"Cardiff" on 8 April 1864, is the only person within the family network
that I have seen recorded as Bowditch - the spelling of which - by the
Minister, Peter Budd, was a clerical error.
The next baptism at Loudoun Square for a Powditch was on
19 September 1866, for Kezia (or Keziah), who had been born on
2 August 1866, at "Cardiff". The Minister who baptised Kezia was
William Anderson.
According to the Old Testament (Job, Chapter 42, verse 14), Kezia
was a girl. In fact, Kezia's entry in the baptism register records that she
was the "daughter of James and Betsy" - yet on 17 December 1867 a
Keziah Powditch died, and is recorded as being the son of James and
Betsy, and he was buried on 18 December 1867, at 3.30 p.m.
Was it the same child? Yes, certainly; all the records illustrate that there
was only one Kezia (irrespective of the spelling). The age (1 year old at
death), the parents (James and Betsy), and the grave into which Kezia
was buried (Q479), all confirm that it was the same child, yet was Kezia
female or male? Personally I believe that Kezia was a girl, for the
family, in their turning to the charismatic Methodist movement, must
have - through their Bible reading - discovered the name "Kezia",
daughter of Job, and used it for their own daughter - and after all,
didn't the couple name their previous child Jemima?
("Jemima" means "dove", and Kezia = "Cassia" meaning "a variety of
cinnamon, used in perfume)
Kezia's burial order, however, does inform us that by December 1867,
James (still a Shipwright), and Betsy, were now living at Hodge's Yard,
in the Parish of St. Mary.
As the next batch of baptisms, and later on - marriages - refer to
grandchildren (baptisms) and children (marriages), of James and
Betsy, I will leave these until the respective son or daughter's details
are unveiled. In the meantime however, I will turn to the Wesleyan
"List of
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Members" and reveal the family's involvement with the Chapel, for the
period from 1880 onwards.
From Registers of Loudoun Square Wesleyan Methodist Chapel,
deposited in Cardiff Archive Office, it has been possible to follow
Powditch's through their various "offices".
The List of Members for 1880, records Betsy, James, and Jemima,
and shows that by that year, they were living at 38, Margaret Street,
Cardiff. Their son, Sydney, had originally lived at Margaret Street, but
by 1892 - when he married - he and his wife Kathleen, had gone to live
at 167, Severn Road, Canton, Cardiff.
For the period 1890 to 1891, the family was represented in the Chapel
as follows;-
In the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896 we discover, serving on the
Choir Committee, Miss Powditch, Miss Light, Miss Lile, and Miss
Harvey - whilst in May 1895, still involved with the Choir, we find "Miss
Powditch, Class leader, Monday, 6,30 p.m''
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Two years previously, in 1893, Miss Powditch had also been a Class
Leader of the Junior Society Class which met in No.1 Vestry of People's
Hall, on Monday's, at 6.45 p.m.
0, how I would have loved to have been present at the Chapel on
4 March 1894, when Miss Powditch of Margaret Street, was the Soloist.
I wonder what it was that she sang? Whether her voice was strong - or
soft; the notes high - or low; and whether the congregation were
"moved" by her rendition?
The same year (1894) saw Laura Powditch being registered in the
List of Members as a "convert", whilst in 1895, Miss Powditch and
Mr. J. Powditch were recorded as "Band of Hope" Officers.
From 1875 to 1900, the Loudoun Square English Wesleyan
Methodist Church (or Chapel), formed part of the "circuit" with
Conway Road, Penarth, Grangetown, and Ely. From approximately
1900, the Church formed part of the Cardiff Mission.
As the 19th century began to fade away, we find that on 16 October
1896, on the Sunday School Committee, the four representatives
elected by the Sunday School teachers, were;- Messrs. J. Powditch,
W. Davies, Rhys Thomas, and Miss Powditch. Also in 1896, on the
Band of Hope Committee, were Misses Short, Powditch and Harvey,
sisters Thirza and Gladys, and Messrs. J. Powditch, etc, and we learn
that Miss Powditch was re-elected on 5 November 1897 and on
2 November 1898.
(N.B. The "Miss Powditch" who is mentioned as being on many of the
Committee's, etc, is (I believe) Jemima - who, in the 1880 List of
Members is the only daughter of James and Betsy, both living at home,
and a Methodist).
8 December 1897 saw Laura Powditch being "converted" yet again !
This time in the presence of her father, Mr. J. Powditch (= James
Thomas). Why was Laura "converted" a second time? Did she stray
from the straight and narrow into bad ways - or had she followed
another denomination between 1894 and 1897?
Interestingly, the address given by James, Betsy, and Jemima, in 1880,
of Margaret Street, Cardiff, may have been lodgings - for, on the 1881
Census, the inhabitants of that address, are one Johua Lewis, aged 69
(a retired grocer) who lived there with his wife Dianna. However, by the
time Kelly's Directory of South Wales (including Cardiff) was published
in 1891, James Powditch had been listed as once again residing at
38, Margaret Street !
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Before we enter the current century, let us return to midway through the
19th century, and look at the children of James and Betsy.
Sarah Ann, first of the ten chiIdren, was born either in late 1848, or
early 1849 - having been registered between January and March 1849.
By the time, she was aged 4 years old, she had lived in three houses
(at Wells-next-the-Sea; Milford Steynton; and Cardiff), and had covered
many miles in the family's moves. Of her marital status (spinster?
married?), I believe that she remained single; and of her death, I have
not traced it to 1912. In 1871 however, Sarah Ann was aged 22,
unmarried, and recorded as being "Servant" at Thomas Hodge,
Shipbuilders - next door to James, Betsy, and the rest of the family.
Sarah Ann, unlike her younger sister Jemima, doesn't appear to have
been involved with the Methodists. As Thomas Hodge is not mentioned
within the Methodist Registers, he may have followed another
denomination - and consequently, his workers from the shipyard, and
his domestic servants, would be expected to accompany their
employer, Thomas Hodge and his family, to their place of worship.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
James Thomas, second child of James and Betsy, had his birth
registered between July and September 1850, and in the District of
Haverfordwest (which included Milford Steynton). James Thomas was
aged about 2½ years old when the family moved to Cardiff.
As may have already been noted on the entry for the 1871 Census,
young James Thomas was not "at home" with his parents. The
reason for this, was his marriage (one year earlier, in 1870), and his
having taken up residence in another part of the Parish of St. Mary -
at Crichton Street - as the following will gradually reveal.
James Thomas, in the 15th year of his life, by consent of his father,
James Powditch - was apprenticed to;-
"Thomas Hodge, Shipbuilder" - on
- to be
"rendered in the Art of a Shipwright"
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His apprenticeship was mostly spent aboard ship - and a "Certificate
of Discharge" dated 5 November 1869, shows his having been
"engaged'' at Cardiff - having gone to New York (in the capacity of
"Carpenter"); - his being "discharged", later, at Bristol. Despite the
anomalies of his age, and place of birth, the certificate details the ship,
etc, and highlights that the period from the "engagement" to the
"discharge", was just over 13 weeks (31 July 1869, to 3 November
1869). One wonders at the youngster's journey, and whether the ship
stayed long enough at New York for him to "discover" the area.
Following James Thomas' discharge at Bristol, in November 1869, he
made his way back home, to Cardiff. Two months later, on 1 January
1870, he was re-engaged as "Carpenter" on board the 563 ton ship,
"Blomidon", this time heading for Pensacola - on the western coastline
of Florida, U.S.A; - the sea-port facing south, over the "Gulf of Mexico".
On 12 July, six months after his "engagement" - James Thomas was
discharged at Queenstown (now Cobh), in the Republic of Ireland [Eire]
- not far from the town of Cork.
On 5 October 1870, and still at Queenstown, the 19 year old was
engaged yet again on the "Blomidon", in the capacity of Carpenter -
but there was already a "wind of change" blowing for James Thomas.
Although the "Blomidon" sailed this time for Charleston, South Carolina
- on the east. coast of North America - James Thomas as, by then, a
married man. The terms of his seven-year apprenticeship (and indeed
for all who became apprentices), included the requirement, that he;-
...... although James Thomas had broken this "condition" by
marrying Elizabeth ....... (surname not known), in 1870.
To date - due to information coming to hand just as this Volume was
being printed - details of the marriage have not been examined, and it
is not known whether Elizabeth (James Thomas' wife), was Welsh, Irish,
or American. Indeed, until this part of the history was amended, the only
Queenstown (as referred to in current Atlases), was believed to have
been in Tasmania, and it was only by chance referral to Hugh Falcus'
book "Master of Cape Horn", that the real Queenstown's location was
discovered !
The couples' marriage was registered in Cardiff between July (James
was discharged at Queenstown on 12 July) and September (he was
re-engaged at Queenstown in October) 1870 - and by 5 October,
James Thomas was on board the "Blomidon", and crossing the Atlantic
Ocean.
The journey to Charleston, South Carolina, and back again - including
stopping at the American port - took 4 months to complete, and it
wasn't until 14 February (St. Valentine's Day) 1871, that James Thomas
found himself back on dry land, after being discharged at Liverpool,
England.
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His marriage (at age 19 years old) to Elizabeth, occurred just 4 years
after his apprenticeship began - which may mean that he was
discharged by Thomas Hodge for breaking his contract. Certainly, on
15 July 1871, we find James Thomas - at the age of 21 years -
signing another indenture, stating that he;-
The same condition of "not contracting Matrimony" was left in, however,
and not deleted - even though James Thomas had, by now, been
married for one year. Maybe James Tamplin - (who, according to the
1881 Census, was living at 2, Penarth Terrace, Cardiff, a Widower,
aged 74, and a retired [in 1881] Shipbuilder - originally from Chepstow,
Monmouthshire [now part of Gwent) - was more tolerant than Thomas
Hodge. That James Thomas was aged 21, and therefore over the age
of majority, way also have had a lot to do with the tolerance of Mr.
Tamplin to the marriage.
James Thomas and Elizabeth had eight children, of which four died in
infancy. They were;-
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In 1885, on 21 (?) March, James Thomas' wife - Elizabeth - also died.
Aged just. 21 when she married, and having mothered eight children
(of which four died in infancy), Elizabeth died at the young age of 34.
She was buried with those of her children who had pre-deceased her, in
plot P.126. Her burial was at 12 noon, on Tuesday, 24 March 1885.
After her untimely death, James Thomas was left to bring up their
children, Sidney John, Bertha Anita, Laura, and Amy, on his own.
Plot P.126, is in the Anglican part of the cemetery, and James Thomas
had - as far as is known - followed in that denomination. His father,
mother and sister being staunch members of the Methodist Chapel, it
would appear that - whether for comforting, or help, or religious
assistance - he turned to the Methodists in his time of need.
One year later, on 10 April 1886, James Thomas Powditch (widower),
of 19, Patrick Street, married Mary Jane Frazer (single), of 61, Loudoun
Square - at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Loudoun Square. He
was
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aged 35, and she, aged 23. Mary Jane's father is shown as James
Arthur Frazer, a. Master Mariner. James Frazer(brother?) and
Jemima Powditch, were witnesses.
Registered between January and March 1887, James Thomas and
Mary Jane's first child - Ada Isabella - was actually born on
28 December 1886. Ada Isabella was baptised in the Wesleyan
Methodist Chapel at Loudoun Square, on 2 February 1887 (entry
No.401 in the Register) by the Minister, James H Marguant (?). At the
time of the baptism, James Thomas and Mary Jane were still living at
18, Patrick Street, Cardiff. No further details of Ada Isabella are
known, other than that in 1912, she married Joseph Lile (or Lyle).
By 1891, fortune (in business) had begun to shine on James Thomas,
and he, his wife, and their children, had moved to 2, Woodland Place
- a short road, off Wordsworth Street), in Roath, Cardiff.
Kelly's Directory of 1891, shows - at the Woodland Place address;-
(I don't know why the "R" is included. There certainly hadn't been any
earlier, or later, mention of another Christian name for James Thomas,
so the inclusion of the "R" in the Directory may have been a typesetting
error).
Whilst living at Woodlands Place, Mary Ann gave birth to a baby - who
appears to have been "still-born", or who certainly died within days of
its birth. The child - a son - was named Willie, and both its birth and
death were registered at the end of 1892. Surprisingly, Willie's name
doesn't appear on a grave-stone, nor in the Cardiff burial records; the
supposition being that he could have been buried in someone else's
grave; which appears to have occurred in instances where there were
tiny babies, or still-born's, for burial.
After the tragic loss of baby Willie, James Thomas and Mary Jane do
not appear to have had any further children. Certainly by 1892, Mary
Ann was aged only 29, and James Thomas, only 41, so maybe there
had been "complications" at Willie's birth, which led to the lack of further
children in their marriage.
If James Thomas didn't have any more children, he certainly put all his
effort into his work, moving his family around as he improved his - and
their - station in life.
Stuart Street, which was once an important area for the Cardiff Docks,
containing Ship Chandlers, Marine Store Dealers, Ironmongers, the
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Cardiff Pilotage Board, as well as a hairdresser, greengrocer,
newsagent, and a painter (Source; Kelly's Cardiff Directory, 1901),
also saw, in the same year of 1901, the address for;-
Five years later - in 1906 - despite a few residents of the 1901
"Street" having been replaced by new names and professions, James
T. Powditch & Co, Ship Brokers, were still firmly rooted at Number 46,
Stuart Street.
In June 1987, I took a trip to Cardiff to "go down memory lane" -
particularly in Stuart Street. Much of the area has been laid flat by
demolition, and where Victorian buildings once stood, children now
play football on tarmacadam-ed playing grounds. Where children don't
play, is on the weed-choked piles of rubble lying opposite the still-
standing "Cardiff Pilotage Board" offices, with its unusual compass
embedded in the upper storey of the building.
The Windsor Hotel (of 1901) - being number 48, Stuart Street - has
since been re-named "The Big Windsor", and is a very large imposing
building. As a Hotel in the Docks area, there must have always been a
queue of Ship passengers - after disembarking, or whilst waiting to join
a ship - seeking a bed for the night.
Next door to the Windsor Hotel (the Big Windsor), was Number 46 - the
home(?), and offices, of James Thomas. In 1987 I could only look at the
modern-ish warehousing, with a "portacabin"-type building occupying
the site of No.46. Today, a Company of Electrical Engineers "Marine
and Land Installations" - (P + D Electrical Services Ltd) - occupies the
same site. The site-clearers of earlier years had (for me, fortunately),
left a little bit of history behind, for the side and front boundary "poll-
stone" wall, together with a section of the original railings, had been left
in place - and allowed my imagination (as I stood there) to rebuild the
area around me.
James Thomas' transition from Shipwright to Ship Broker, appears to
have been a wise change - for by 1914, his financial position had
enabled him to purchase one of the houses, which had not long been
built, in King's Road, Canton, Cardiff.
King's Road, was (and still is), an imposing row of mostly 3-storey
large Edwardian buildings, which in 1914 was sporting 98 houses,
one Church, and one "Pillar letter box" on its East side alone - with a
similar number on its West side. James Thomas and family lived at
Number 128, just under two-thirds of the way along the road.
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Many of the houses are shown in Kelly's Directory as having been
"apartments", and in this popular district of Cardiff, linked with the high
population, one can imagine that there were many wishing to become
tenants. The area has changed much since 1914, although most of the
houses in King's Road are still standing, and have recently been the
recipients of "preservation orders", in order to retain the original
character and shape of the buildings.
The family were still living at 128, King's Road, when pneumonia
snatched Amy away at the age of 48. She died on 16 February 1929,
and her burial was on 20 February. James Thomas followed her not
long afterwards, for he died on 3 April 1929, aged 78; and his burial
was on 18 April. Both Amy and her father, James Thomas, "rest" in
Plot EA.1990, in the "new" part of Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff.
Mary Ann appears to have moved from King's Road at some time
after James Thomas' and Amy's deaths - for at her own death (and
burial) on 16 (and 20) September 1935 (at the age of 71), her address
was recorded on the burial order, as Upper Cyncraig Street. Mary Ann,
at her death, "joined" her husband James Thomas, and his daughter
Amy, at Cathays Cemetery, in plot EA.1990.
James Thomas is remembered for his involvement in ships and
shipping; for his children; for his being "well-built" and being "like King
George V"; - and for calling to see his sisters-in-law, and "asking" for
a drink.
He appears to have used the same "ploy" at each house - and each
appears to have treated him exactly the same way.
- he would say to ths brother's wife, Mary - and then, dependant
upon whether a glass of water was brought, or whether a bottle of
whisky appeared, he would either leave - soon after drinking the
water - or stay, until the bottle of whisky was finished ! The same
remembrance of James Thomas has been re-counted by his Grand-
daughter - Mary Bennett, and by his Great-nieces - Phyllis Smith, and
Dorothy Vaughan - and one wonders how many more relatives'
households he visited with the same "ploy" !
Of James Thomas' children, his first born - by his first wife, Elizabeth -
was Sidney John, who was (as we have seen earlier), born on 8 May
1872, and baptised on 19 June the same year, at the Loudoun Square
Methodist Chapel - by Minister Samuel Green.
Sidney John was a bit of a rebel in his youth - though whether against
his father, or his (by now) step-mother, or whether against something
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else, we don't know. He was sent however, to Whiteladies College, in
Bristol, from where he wrote several letters to his father, James Thomas.
Life at boarding school was nevertheless not to Sidney John's liking,
and twice he ran away, and made his way back to Cardiff - through the
Severn Tunnel.
His father, James Thomas, possibly hoping to "tame" the young
Sidney, decided to send him to sea on a sailing ship, and "looked for
the worst Captain he could find". By the sound of things, James
Thomas succeeded in his quest, for years later, Sidney's own
comments were that the Captain really was "terrible" !
In what capacity Sidney sailed the "high seas" is currently unknown. He
may have been (like his father) apprenticed, for after his spell at sea,
his first job back: on dry land was with the Board of Governors /
Guardians, inspecting orphanages, schools, etc. Completion of seven-
year apprenticeship enabled a qualified "craftsman" to become a
"freeman" of his home town - and thereafter sometimes gained a
position within Civic circles.
In 1911, by now back on dry land, and on the Board of Governors,
Sidney John Powditch married Jessy Beer. Their marriage was
registered between October and December 1911 - at which point
Sidney would have been aged 39. Jessy - who was born at Aberdare,
near Cardiff, on 31 October 1872, was also aged 39.
The couples' marriage was blessed with two children - Mary, and John.
Mary was born on 24 September 1913, at Australia Road, Cardiff; and
John (otherwise known as Jack), was born on 9 April 1915 - also at
Australia Road.
Mary, who still lives in Cardiff, remembers a girl coming to her school,
whose surname was "Metcalfe Powditch". The girl apparently told Mary
that all Powditch's were entitled to use the "Metcalfe" in their name -
something which thrilled the young Mary.
When she was aged 15, Mary's Grandfather - James Thomas, died at
his home in King's Road. Mary remembers "riding on the back of her
cousin's bike to let relatives know" ; the year was 1929, date, Monday,
3 April. In the months and years that followed, Mary used to accompany
her parents on their visits to the graveyard - and remembers the grave
being "large".
On 4 June 1934, Mary married Lionel Francis Bennett, at the
Congregational Church, in Richmond Road, Cardiff.
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Mary and Lionel had four children;-
Mary's husband, Lionel (otherwise known as "Leo") died on
8 August 1981.
--------------------------------------------------
John - Sidney and Jessy's other child - married Wynne Statam
Raven at Cardiff. During the Second World War, John was in the R.A.F.
and flew for "Coastal Command". Known as "periscope Powditch", he
was for a while, stationed at Uist, one of the Outer Hebrides islands, off
the western coast of northern Scotland. Later, he was to be stationed
in Ireland; to fly over Berlin on the night of the 1000 Bombers; and to be
a Warrant Officer in Africa.
John and Wynne didn't have any children. His work after the War took
him to the position of Managing Director, and for a while he and Wynne
lived in Chargate Road, Cardiff. John however, died at the early age of
61 years, on 22 January 1977, of heart failure - and he was cremated
at Thornhill, Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Wynne currently lives at Rhoose near Cardiff. Both she and Mary have,
most kindly, through Original Indentures, Discharge Certificates, copies
of Signatures, and reminiscences - been able to provide much
information regarding their branch of the Cardiff Powditch family, from
the 1870s onwards.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Third child of James and Betsy, was Robert Henry; the first of many
Powditch's to be born at Cardiff. Whereas the name "Robert" appears
from time to time, his second name, "Henry", is rare within the family
records, and therefore may either be a "fashionable" name for that
period, or have been a "handed-down" Christian name from Betsy's
family.
Robert Henry, on the 1871 Census, is shown living at home with his
parents, brothers and sisters, at number 12, Dry Dock, Cardiff.
Recorded as "Unmarried; aged 17; and 'Gas Fitter' ", the next six
years saw a change - to his becoming married, at the age of 23 years
old, and being recorded as a "Cutler's Assistant".
On receiving a copy of Robert Henry's marriage certificate in 1987, it
was then for the first time, that current descendants of Robert Henry
discovered the attachment to the Loudoun Square Wesleyan Chapel
at Cardiff - for it was at this Chapel, on 6 February 1877, that the
23 year old Robert Henry Powditch married Mary Rouch, aged 22.
Robert, a Bachelor and by now a "Cutler's Assistant", was resident at
1 Dry Dock, Cardiff, at the time of his marriage - whilst Mary, a
spinster of no stated occupation, had been resident at 2, South Loudoun
Place, Cardiff. Their witnesses were Alfred Neville (no known
relationship), and Eliza Rouch (Mary's sister) - whilst the service was
conducted by Jas. R. Sawtell (Minister), and recorded by Lewis Hopkins
(Registrar).
Mary's father is recorded as being John Rouch, a Shipsmith - who was
mentioned in Cardiff Directories for the years 1865 and 1875.
In Webster's 1865 Directory, John Rouch was entered as "Shipsmith,
West Side, West Bute Dock", whilst his private residence was listed as
"Loudoun Square". Ten years later, in Worrall 's Directory of South
Wales and Newport, Monmouthshire for 1875 he was to be found
under the heading "Shipwrights, Boat Builders and Shipsmiths" -
although by this time he had gone into partnership, for the entry
appeared as "Hopkins and Rouch, West side of West Bute Dock".
Although I don't have any more details of the Rouch family, I do know
that Mary had one sister - Eliza (who had been a witness at her
marriage) - and one brother - John (or Johnny). Both Eliza, and
Johnny, married, and current descendants of Johnny, are known to be
living in both the Cardiff and Swansea areas of South Wales.
The occupation of "Cutler 's Assistant" on Robert's marriage
certificate, has been the subject of puzzlement. At first it was wondered
whether his work might have something to do with "knives, cutlery, etc."
- but Iater, was thought to have involvement with the coal-
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mining industry - where "Cutlers" were employed. To date, the "puzzle''
has not been answered, although his address (at the time of marriage),
may afford a clue.
Six years earlier, in 1871, at the same Address of 1 Dry Dock, was
residing a Mr. John Burt (or Bart) - a Shipwright, from Penzance, in
Cornwall. Whilst John Burt (or Bart) might not have been living at Dry
Dock in 1877 (the year that Robert Henry married), the shipping-trade
within Cardiff Docks had not only dramatically increased during those
six years, but by 1877 they had given a great commitment to "King
Coal".
In view of this commitment, the link of the job of "Cutler's Assistant" with
his Dry Dock address, might suggest that Robert Henry was closely
linked with the shipping of coal - though whether he had had an
apprenticeship in a trade, is currently unknown.
During his life, Robert Henry - a tall, slim man - followed severaI
trades, for he appears variously as "Gas Fitter" (1871); "Cutler's
Assistant" (1877); "Plumber" (1890); and Ship's Fitter" (1914) -
although all occupations were undertaken in his birth place of Cardiff.
Robert Henry and Mary had seven children - all sons. They were;-
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First born son of Robert Henry and Mary, was Cecil Robert John - who
In his youth, was a choir-boy at St. Saviour's Church, Splott Road,
Cardiff. Unlike his father, Cecil had a more direct involvement with the
sea, for he became a Ship's Store Merchant - first of all with McSymons
& Co" (a Greenock, Scotland, Ships' Chandlers Company - with a
branch at Cardiff Docks) - and then later, with "Sorbom, Tegman &
Larsen" (In this case a Norwegian Company - again, with a Ships'
Stores branch at Cardiff docks).
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Cecil's job, besides the clerical side (typing, etc), involved wining and
dining Ships' Captains in the search for orders, and he often used to
row out to the Ships In the harbour. He mostly dealt with Swedish
ships, and used to drink "schnapps" with the Captains. The family often
delighted In sharing the contents of a hamper, presented to the young
merchant by his "clients".
AIso known as "Charlie" in the family, young Cecil, at the age of 26
years, married Edith Elizabeth White, at St. Saviour's Church, Splott
Road, Cardiff - on 27 December 1908.
Edith's mother had died whilst Edith was very young (about 2 years old),
and her father. by the time that she left school, had remarried. Edith's
father - Thomas Abraham White - had been a "pattern-maker" (by day)
with the Cardiff Gas Board. In the evenings, he was a musician, playing
on the Bass - (he used to employ a man to carry his Bass - and he
played for Lord Bute, Nellie Wallace, George Robey, Gracie Field (and
her first husband) - both at the Cardiff Empire Music Hall, and whilst
playing "freelance".
Like her father, Edith was musical, and in her youth played the organ in
her local church. It was whilst there, that the Vicar advised upon her
taking a job - which she did, becoming a Children's Nanny at Burnham-
on-Sea, Somerset, to a family which had not long come back from India.
Later, Edith returned to Cardiff, after the lady she worked for was
divorced.
Back in Cardiff, her step-mother said that she (i.e. Edith) had to go out
and get more money, so first, she went to work for a Toy Store (Stevens)
in the High Street Arcade - one window being just full of dolls, and on
other occasions, she used her musical talents, by being a "Dance
Pianist", playing the music for dances.
When Cecil was first taken home by Edith to meet her parents, Thomas
Abraham White (Edith's father) discovered that Cecil was the son of
Robert Henry Powditch. Both Thomas and Robert had grown up as
lads In the Bute Street area of Cardiff, and used to go swimming
together in the Cardiff Canal. Thomas had Indeed been brought up in
Loudoun Square itself, where his father, - William - and family, not only
lived, but had a bespoke tailors business operating from the same
premises. (House number 1, on the 1871 Census).
Following Cecil and Edith's marriage, they went to live in "rooms", at
120, Splott Road, Cardiff - and it was here, in 1909, that their first child was born.
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In all, Cecil and Edith had three children;-
In the Splott area of Cardiff, Splott Road and Tenby Street are not very
far from each other, and the young Phyllis Mary Powditch, when in her
"teens" had already heard about a young man by the name of Sydney
Smith, who lived in Tenby Street. Phyllis's Uncle Tom (who was only
just older than her !), had engaged in many a fight with Sydney - and
besides fighting, Sydney had other reputations as well !
Phyllis didn't know (on her date with him) that the young man she was
with, was the Sydney Smith ! Later, on 8 October 1932, Sydney was to
marry Phyllis Mary Powditch, at St. Saviour's Church, Splott Road,
Cardiff.
At first, after their marriage, they lived In Marion Street, Cardiff,
before later moving to "Channel View", Wentloog Road, Rumney
(then in Monmouthshire), in 1933.
On 20 May 1933, the first of their four daughters - Pamela Ivy Smith -
was born, at the Glossop Terrace (Cardiff) Nursing Home. Pamela,
who is currently Headmistress of Gosforth (mixed) School, Cumbria,
married David Benjamin Clatworthy (born 15 March 1931 at Trebanos,
South Wales), on 21 August 1954, in St. John's Church, Gowerton, near
Swansea. They have two children (Gillian Ruth, and Simon David) both
of whom are now married.
Second of Sydney and Phyllis's children - Shirley Ann Smith was born
on 28 August 1935, at the family home - which (by then) was "Holmesview", 132 Wentloog Road, Rumney. Shirley, who is the
Superintendent Radiographer at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, is
unmarried, and still lives at home with her mother (Phyllis), and her
younger sister. Carole.
On 27 December 1943, just as the year was drawing to a close,
Sydney and Phyllis's third daughter, Carole Mary Smith was born, at
132 Wentloog Road - which by then was in the Borough of Cardiff).
Born with "hydrocephalus", Carole (despite various Doctors' statements
that her
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life span wouldn't reach past the age of 10), is (in 1989) an active 45
year old, employed within the stores department of a national
newsagents - and enjoys helping others, and writing. Indeed, her
poems and articles, have been included in several anthologies, and
won her prizes.
Fourth daughter - Angela Felicity Smith - was born on 28 October
1949. Unlike her sisters, Angela was born in the front room of the
family bungalow (!) at Gowerton (near Swansea) - where her parents
had moved just two years earlier. Angela (otherwise known as Ang, or
Angie), gained an Honours Degree in English Literature, at Swansea
University, just one year after having married John Christopher Algar
(born 22 February 1947, at Wembley, Middlesex), at St. Teilo's Church,
Bishopston, near Swansea, on 25 October 1969. Ang, who is currently
working in a Chemist Shop, and John, who is Purchasing Manager in
an Electrical Wholesaler, have two children; James Alexander, and
Kristian Mary.
With the exception of Pam and her family - who live at Holmrook in
Cumbria, Phyllis Mary, together with her daughters, Shirley, and
Carole, live In a large house situated on the Gower Peninsula, South
Wales. In the same house, in a ground-floor flat, live Angela, John, and
their two children.
Sydney Arthur Smith died, suddenly, on 26 March 1982, whilst on
holiday at Torquay, Devon. Cremated at Torquay, his ashes were
brought back to South Wales - and were buried at St. Mary's Church,
Pennard, Gower.
****************************
Second child of Cecil and Edith, was Reginald Herbert. Born on
27 February 1914, Reginald's aspirations to join the Royal Air Force,
during the Second World War, were dashed when the medical check
disclosed chest problems, Including pleurisy. Following this
disappointment, Reg gained employment with the old Cardiff Council
as a Road Sweeper - in which position he worked for many years.
On 7 September 1957, Reginald Herbert Powditch married Hazel
Geraldine Pritchard, at St. Augustine's Church, Rumney, Cardiff - and
the couple had two children - both sons. Alan Paul - the eldest, was
born on 20 October 1958, at Wentloog Road, Rumney, Cardiff. He is
still single, and lives with his parents in West Wales. Robert John - the
younger son, was born on 30 June 1962, at Tyfry Road, Rumney,
Cardiff. Robert married Debbie (although they have recently divorced),
and they have two children - both daughters; Lee Ann (born November
1983), and Suzanne (born November 1985).
Having lived for many years at Rumney, Cardiff, Reg and Hazel
decided to retire (in 1978) to the village of Kilgetty, near Tenby, in the
county
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of Dyfed, South Wales - thus moving fairly close to the area in which
James Powditch (Reg's Great Grandfather) had first lived on his move
from Wells-next--the-Sea, at the end of the 1840s.
*****************************
Last child of Cecil and Edith's marriage, was Douglas James - who
was born on 8 May 1919 - just one year after the end of the First
World War. Born at 27 Smith Street, Splott, Cardiff, Doug pursued a
variety of occupations during his working years; - packing bread in a
bakehouse; driving a lorry; Storeman at Aberthaw Power Station; and
Storekeeper at Rover/Leyland (vehicle) works, in Cardiff.
During the Second World War, Doug was a Leading Aircraftsman
during the period 1942 - 1946, in the R. A. F. Bomber Squadron,
No. 233 (?). After training in Blackpool, he was posted to Lincoln, and
saw action in Norway, France, Belgium, and Germany, before being
demobbed (No. 1406145), at Cardington, Shropshire (England).
On 29 July 1944, he married Iris Eileen Jarman (born 28 February
1923), at Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
Their first child - Maureen - was born on 21 February 1946, at
5 St. David Street, Tonpentre. Maureen is married to Andrew Vicary,
and the couple have three children; - Natalie, Vernon, and Thomas.
Doug and Iris's second child, and their first son - Michael Robert -
was also born at 5 St.David Street, Tonpentre, his date of birth being
19 October 1948. Michael married Linda May Harris at the Registry
Office, Park Place, Cardiff, on 5 July 1975, and the couple have five
children; two daughters, and three sons;-
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Michael (also known as Mike). Linda, and their family live at Ely,
Cardiff, South Wales. Michael who has previously been employed as
[respectively] a Motor Mechanic, a Storekeeper; and a City transport
bus driver - is currently working as a Press Operator in the manufacture
of steel fence supports, at "Metpost Wales", Cardiff.
Second son, and third child of Doug and Iris's marriage, is Mark - born
on 19 March 1962, at Glossop Terrace, Cardiff. Mark is currently living
in the London area, and is still single.
Doug, and Iris, now retired, have recently moved into "sheltered
housing" in the St. Mellons area of Cardiff. Doug is the only one of the
children of Cecil and Edith to still live In the Cardiff area, although, as
we will see later, descendants of Cecil's brothers, still live in and
around the City of Cardiff.
*****************************
Around the year 1933, Phyllis and Sydney, accompanied by Phyllis's
parents - Cecil and Edith, and Phyllis's brothers, Reg and Doug -
moved to "Channel View", Wentloog Road, Rumney - opposite the
Memorial Hall in the village. Fortunately, the house was fairly large,
having four bedrooms - for, within a couple of weeks of having moved
in, Cecil's Mother (Mary) died, and his Father (Robert Henry) moved in
with the rest of his family.
Within a year, the family were on the move again - with Phyllis and
Sydney, plus baby Pamela, moving, in late 1934, to number 132,
Wentloog Road, Rumney.
Robert Henry - now in his 81st year, alternated homes between Cecil
at Rumney, and son Albert, at Ely, Cardiff. The distance of 5 miles, or
more, was always made on foot, and always accompanied by his
faithful walking stick. The stick was often shaken (with annoyance) at
the Guinness adverts ("ridiculous"), or the Co-operative Stores ("Reds") !
Whilst Mary was alive, both she and Robert used to have arguments
about their origins. Robert Henry always said that his family had come
from Norfolk, and were descended from Boadicea (Boudicca), whilst
Mary (a Rouch), said that her family had come from Pembrokeshire
(now Dyfed), and were descended from the Roch's of Roch Castle.
One day in 1987, the sight of Robert Henry's parents' marriage
certificate (James Powditch to Elizabeth Rumbles), confirmed the
Powditch link with Norfolk - which surely would have pleased old
Robert. For Mary however, I have yet to pursue the Pembrokeshire
link - but Barbara Rouch (currently living in Penarth, near Cardiff) -
who is the grand-daughter of Mary's brother, Johnny, has spoken of the
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family tradition that the Rouch's were of French nobility, and had to get
out of France quickly at the time of the Revolution. Roch Castle (albeit
in the 1100s), was built by "Black Rupert", who had come over from
Normandy.
Roch? Pembrokeshire? Boudicca? Norfolk? - I always record
family "traditions", for I've learnt that there is "always a grain of truth" in
what is said - and Robert was right about Norfolk, wasn't he?
Robert Henry, who died on 20 February 1939, aged 85, was a grand
old man, who, in his "Will", showed both a sense of humour - and
concern for his sons to remain as one big happy family.
- then follows a list of 5 requests relating to his burial. The "Will" was
signed by him on 21 Nov 1933, and countersigned by two witnesses.
In the bottom right hand corner of the "Will", were the printed letters
- ''P.T.O." - and on the reverse of the piece of paper was the
following message - the words being as touching today, in 1989, as
they were 56 Years ago, in 1933, when they were written.
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- It was to be another 6 years before Robert Henry Powditch was to
leave his sons and their families, and join his beloved Mary. Despite
Robert having come to the conclusion that a "headstone" was
unnecessary, both he and Mary have their names and dates preserved
on a "kerb-style" gravestone, where they lie in the quiet churchyard of
St. Augustine's, Rumney, Cardiff.
By 1947, Phyllis and Sydney, with children Pamela, Shirley, and Carole,
had moved to Gowerton, near Swansea, South Wales, where Angela
was born, and where Sydney was eventually to become Works Manager
of Wagon Repairs Ltd.
Seven years later, Cecil Robert John Powditch, died - on 7 October
1954, from cancer. He was aged 69 years. Following his funeral
service, Cecil was cremated at Cardiff.
Edith, a sprightly 76 year old, was killed In a road accident, on 12 April
1960, at Rumney. She is buried in the same grave as Robert and Mary
(her "in-laws"), at St. Augustine's churchyard, Rumney, Cardiff.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Returning to Cecil's father and mother (Robert and Mary), we look next
at their second child - Alfred Edward James - who was born on
3 September 1884, at Cardiff.
Alfred - by 1906 - is recorded in Kelly's Directory of South Wales, as;-
Further on, in the Directory, Swansea Street Is shown as lying between
Aberdovey Street and Menelaus Street, and we are advised that only
seven people or institutions paid for inclusion in Kelly's 1906 Directory.
They were;-
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By 1914, eight years later, the Bible Christian Mission Hall had become
the United Methodist Mission Hall; Mrs Margaret Mahony was a
shopkeeper at number 80; and Alfred Edward James Powditch had
vacated number 22, having exchanged the perils of Insurance, for the
security of the Civil Service.
On 27 September 1909, Alfred (by then aged 25), married twenty-three
year old Eleanor Hewitt (born 20 April 1886, at Cardiff), in St. Saviour's
Church, Cardiff.
Their first child - Dorothy May - was born on 21 July 1910. Ivy Kathleen
- their second child, was born on 31 March 1915, whilst their third child,
and only son - Ronald - was born on 22 July 1920 (all births being at
Cardiff).
Dorothy May Powditch married James Boswell Vaughan (born
18 February 1911) at St. Margaret's Church, Roath, Cardiff - and they
had one child, a daughter - Margaret. Born 25 November 1934,
Margaret married John Watt Purves (born 24 October 1934), on 20 May
1961, and they have three children; Alison Fiona, Rebecca Susan, and
James Vaughan.
Dorothy, whose husband James (known as Jimmy) died a few years
ago, now lives at TrowbrIdge, Wilts - not far from her daughter and
son-in-law.
Ivy Kathleen (second child of Alfred and Eleanor), married Hervey
Jones at Cardiff in 1940 (?). The couple didn't have any children. Ivy
died In May 1963, and is buried in Cardiff Cemetery.
Ronald, the only son of Alfred and Eleanor - and the third child of
their marriage, was born on 22 July 1920, in East Cardiff. Like his
father before him, Ronald (also known as Ron) married around his mid-
20's, when, on 5 January 1946, at St. Margaret's Parish Church, Roath,
Cardiff, he married 21 year old Marjorie Elvira Rees (born 12 January
1924, at East Cardiff) - just 7 days before her 22nd birthday !
Ron - who was a Commercial Traveller - and Marjorie, had one child -
a daughter, Jacqueline Lesley - who was born on 12 December 1946.
Known as Jacky. she married Gordon Charles Shepperd (born 15 April
1944), on 1 April 1967. The couple have two children; Alexander Rhys
and Jody Gordon.
Ron died on 13 July 1972, at Llandough Hospital, near Cardiff, from a
heart attack - and he was cremated at Thornhill, Cardiff. His widow,
Marjorie, still lives In Cardiff.
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Eleanor - Mother of Dorothy, Ivy, and Ronald - died on 7 March 1986,
a few weeks before her 100th birthday. In good health until she fell,
and lost consciousness, dying soon afterwards - she too was cremated
at Thornhill, Cardiff.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Third son of Robert and Mary, was Reginald Hewitt (or Edward, or
Ewart), who, as we have seen before, was born in 1886 - and four
years later, in 1890, was killed whilst playing on metal railings. Phyllis
Mary Smith (nee Powditch) remembers a story in the family, that
Reginald's mother (Mary), was expecting another child at the time of his
death - although as Thomas Herbert (the only recorded child born after
Reginald's death) wasn't born until 12 months after the death, perhaps
the person "expecting another child" was not Mary.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Arthur Henry - fourth son of Robert and Mary - was born In 1888
(Registered between October and December), and married Hettie Rees
at Cardiff, in 1911, when he was aged 22 years old. (The marriage was
registered between July and September).
During the First World War, Arthur Henry was invalided out of the
actions, after having been "gassed" - and was for a while, in a
Middlesex Hospital, whilst recuperating.
Arthur Henry and Hettie, had five children;-
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From my enquiries with both lan (son of Albert Edward), and Haydn
(son of Thomas Rees), it would appear that there was not much contact
between Arthur Henry and Hettie's children after they left home - and
therefore the families grew up with little or no knowledge of the Powditch
past.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Returning to Robert Henry and Mary's children, and to their fifth child,
Thomas Herbert - as we have seen earlier - was born at Cardiff, in
1891 (Registered between October and December). In later years,
Thomas Herbert was a Dining Car Steward on the Great Western
Railway (G.W.R.) on the route between South Wales and Paddington
Station, London - where it is possible that he either knew, or knew of,
another Powditch - Claude - who was a Chef on the G.W.R. "Cornish
Riviera" route (Refer to Chapter 9).
Thomas Herbert was killed in action, in the Battle of the Somme, in the
First World War, and his death, and obituary, were recorded in the
G.W.R. magazine.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Sixth son of Robert Henry and Mary, was James Reginald ( the "James"
being the Christian name of both Robert's father, and grandfather) who
was born in 1894 (Registered between January and March). James
Reginald married, and had two children; Derek (married, with two [?]
daughters), who currently lives near Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan - and
Pamela V. (known as "Pam"), who is single, and lives at Cardiff, South
Glamorgan.
James Reginald - who worked for the Post Office - died In 1978(?).
Pam has advised me that her brother, Derek, is in possession of a
"Family Bible", containing "names" etc, which I hope may help to piece
together a few "modern day" details.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Robert Henry and Mary's seventh son, was Albert Edward - who was
born on 25 June 1896. Bearing the same Christian names as the
young Prince of Wales, Albert Edward Powditch married Ethel Gertrude
Tyler at St. Saviour's Church, Splott, Cardiff, on 27 December 1920.
The couple had just one child; a daughter, Nancy - who was born on
5 October 1931, at Swansea Street, Splott, in her Grandmother's home.
Nancy married William Brian Miller (known as Brian), on 2 June 1956,
at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff - and the couple have three sons; Philip
William, Paul Edward, and Robert John.
The homes of Albert Edward (the youngest son), and Cecil Robert John
(the eldest son), were Robert Henry Powditch's two "outposts" in his
later life, as he walked the five miles between them - staying for a while
with each son's family.
Tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed, Robert Henry Powditch - father of seven
sons - died on 20 February 1939, aged 85 years old - having outlived
his wife, Mary (who died on 21 November 1932, aged 78 years old), by
just over six years. Both Robert and Mary were buried in the churchyard
of St. Augustine's, Rumney, Cardiff.
*******************************
In the reminiscences of both Phyllis Mary Smith, and Dorothy Vaughan
(both nee nee Powditch), something to really be remembered, were
Christmas's, when the families "got together" at Robert and Mary's
home.
Each of Robert and Mary's Cardiff-based sons, together with their wives
and children, went to Robert and Mary's for Christmas. Every year, old
Robert - wearing a velvet coat, and a velvet smoking cap - would
position himself by the fireplace, and with a large goose slowly cooking
on the "spit" over the fire, would "baste" the bird.
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After the meal, Robert and his sons "disappeared" into the back room,
where they were "out-of -bounds" to everyone. Woe betide the
youngster who opened the door to see his or her Papa. The women,
meanwhile, retired to another room, and the children then had to amuse
themselves. On these occasions the house was full, with parents and
children numbering about twenty. For Phyllis Mary and Dorothy they
were happy times.
Years before the "Christmas gatherings", memories of a different type
of family meeting, linger in the minds of both Phyllis Mary, and Dorothy,
although who exactly was the "person" they met, is not totally certain.
Both Phyllis Mary and Dorothy confirm that at approximately the age of
6 or 7 years old, they were taken by Edith (Phyllis' mother), for a long
walk, from Splott, Cardiff (where they lived), through the dockyard, to
Loudoun Square. Both "girls" remember going to a house where they
saw a woman dressed In "a tight long dress, or a black dress" - and
that "the woman looked stern". Whilst Phyllis has always believed the
"person" to have been Jemima Powditch, Dorothy has always believed
that it was Betsy (James' widow).
James Powditch died on 4 February 1907 - as the "Deaths" notice on
the front page of the Western Mail Newspaper, bears witness;-
Nine years later, the Western Mail's Death column was yet again to be
used - this time to record the passing of Betsy. Thus, on Tuesday,
17 October 1916, the front page of the Cardiff-printed newspaper
stated;-
Between 1901 and 1917, No.35, Loudoun Square, Cardiff, was a
"Mission Hall" belonging to the Loudoun Square Wesleyan Methodist
Chapel - and that James and Betsy were resident there at the end of
their days, may be significant.
In 1909, Phyllis Mary Powditch was born. Six years later, Betsy was
still alive - and an old woman. Could the "woman In a black dress"
have been Betsy Powditch that Phyllis Mary and Dorothy saw ???
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Fifty-one years before James died In 1907, and sixty years before
Betsy's death in 1916, the year 1856 saw the signing of the Third
Treaty of Paris; the Second War with China; - and the birth, on
7 September, of James and Betsy's fourth child, Thomas.
Thomas' early years are unknown, although at a very early age he must
either have had an apprenticeship, or received some form of training, in
the Leather trade - for on the 1871 Census (when shown to be at home
with his parents, brothers and sister - at number 12 Dry Dock, Cardiff),
his occupation was stated as "Shoemaker", even though he was only
aged 14 !
The second of James and Betsy's children to be born at Cardiff,
Thomas had, nevertheless, by his 24th birthday, moved first to London,
and later, was to move to Coventry; in both places to continue working
in the Leather trade.
On 16 May 1856, just 3½ months before Thomas was born, his Aunt,
Sarah Ann James (nee Powditch) who was still living at Milford
Steynton, Pembrokeshire, (now Dyfed), South Wales, gave birth to a
daughter, Mary Ada James - who was later to be baptised at St.
Thomas' Church, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
Twenty-four years after both Thomas Powditch and Mary Ada James
were born, the first cousins stood side by side In the Parish Church of
St. Botulph, Aldersgate, in the City of London, one Sunday morning.
The date was 1 August 1880, and the day was special to them both -
for it was their day of marriage.
Although their marriage certificate doesn't state their ages, other than
"full", we can see that having been born in 1856, that each must have
been aged 24 in 1880. Thomas was shown to be a Bachelor, and to
follow the "Rank or Profession" of "Salesman" - whereas Mary Ada is
just recorded as a "Spinster".
Despite their "Residence at the time of Marriage" being identical to
both of them (160 Aldersgate Street), it was often the case for couples'
to provide addresses of "lodgings of convenience", in order to fulfil the
four weeks' residence requirements for marriage in the local Church.
The "four weeks" become more apparent when it is seen that the
Certificate states that they were "married In the Parish Church
according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church,
after Banns" - Banns normally being "called" on three consecutive
Sundays prior to the marriage.
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When advising the information to be recorded on the marriage
certificate, Thomas and Mary Ada gave details regarding their fathers'
names and occupations, which have been handed down to us, over 100
years later. Thomas' father and occupation, was recorded as - ''James
Powditch; Ship Builder", whilst Mary Ada's father and occupation was
recorded as "Thomas James; Mariner".
Both Thomas and Mary Ada signed the Register, with Thomas
"shortening" his Christian name to "Thos". Their two witnesses -
George and Kate Harrington - are unknown in Powditch associations",
and may have been the owners of "160 Aldersgate Street", or witnesses
appointed by the Vicar (whose own name on the Certificate, appears to
be "Sir Flood Jones, M.D.").
Since "discovering" details regarding Thomas, including his marriage In
1880, I have often wondered whether, in fact, he and Mary Ada had
"eloped" to London to get married. Certainly (unless there had been
parental opposition), their wedding could have taken place at either
Cardiff or Haverfordwest - but instead, it was "solemnized" over 250
miles away, in London.
That the wedding took place in a "non-Powditch" area of London, was
also unusual - for one would normally expect to see at least one brother,
or sister, or cousin (if not parent), present, and to witness the event -
and yet, none appear there.
Lastly, all mentions of Thomas, as a brother, a son, a cousin, or an
Uncle, appear to have been wiped clean from those of his family still
remaining in Cardiff, both at the time - and through their descendants.
This "erasure from memory" was made to such an extent that none of
the current Cardiff-born Powditch's were aware that James Thomas, or
Robert, or Sidney, had had a brother, let alone. one that had moved to
London (and thence to Coventry), and raised a family !
Due to the "estrangement" with the family, much detail has regrettably
been lost over the years, both by lack of memory, and disposal of
documents - so, for the moment, occupations, residences, "fate" of
children, etc, has had to be written with very little "back-up"
documentation.
Thomas - who on the 1871 Census had been recorded as
"Shoemaker", now in 1880 - 9 years later, advised the Vicar at his
marriage, that he was a "Salesman". That he had previously worked
with leather, and by 1886 was to be living In Coventry - a large leather
goods producing area - may indicate that he was a "Salesman" of
leather, or of shoes.
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Apart from the "accommodation address" on their marriage
certificate, no other residence is known for the couple in London -
although I believe that they lived for approximately five years in the area
of St. Saviour, London - and whilst there, were both parents and
mourners of two little girls.
Receiving Mary's "middle" Christian name, and Thomas'
Grandmother's maiden surname, baby Ada Metcalfe Powditch's birth
was Registered at St. Saviour's, between January and March, 1882.
Unfortunately, her death, in the same Registration District, followed not
long afterwards; her death being registered in the same "quarter"
(January to March) as her birth.
Within a twelve month period from baby Ada Metcalfe Powditch's
death, a second Powditch baby was born In the same "St. Saviour"
district. Named Elizabeth Cooper Powditch, both her birth and her
death were registered in the same quarter (January to March), of 1883.
I wonder what the incentive was for Thomas and Mary to move to
Coventry, in the Industrial Midlands. Whether it was the loss of their
two children; or their London living and working conditions; or the
prospect of an improvement in wages and "position", the couple had
- between Elizabeth Cooper Powditch's death in 1883, and the
birth of their next child in 1886 - moved to Coventry - with its ancient
associations of Lady Godiva, and its 19th century associations with the
Leather Trade.
Thomas and Mary Ada were to live, work and raise their family in the
Coventry area for at least the next twelve years - during which time, the
couple were to have five children.
The children were;-
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The loss of their first child to be born at Coventry, after the loss of their
London-born children, must have given much concern - not least
because of the mental and physical strain that the three losses would
have caused. The impending birth of their fourth must therefore have
been a worrying time.
Ethel Maud R. Powditch (the "R" - I believe being the initial letter for
"Rumbles") not only "saw the light of day" in 1887, but after her birth
(and Registration between July and September), she was to live for
many more years, and certainly past 1912 - although it is not currently
known whether she married, or where and when she died.
Just over one year later - being Registered between October and
December 1888 - Mary Ada gave birth to their first son. Recorded on
the St.Catherine's Birth Registers as Thomas Christopher C.T.M.
Powditch, I am at present unaware as to what the initials "C.T.M." stand
for. To date, Thomas Christopher C.T.M. has eluded me in further
research - not having married or died up to 1912 (when he would have
been aged 24 years old).
A gap of four years followed between Thomas Christopher's own birth,
and that of his younger brother, whose birth was in 1892.
Born on Thursday, 25 August 1892, Thomas and Mary Ada named
their second son Robert Henry James Rumbles Powditch - but failed to
register his birth until the last quarter of the year (between October and
December 1892).
Back home in Cardiff, Thomas' elder brother's names were Robert
Henry; their father's Christian name was James - as was Mary Ada's
maiden surname, and Thomas' mother's maiden name was Rumbles.
To preserve these memories of families left behind in Cardiff and
Milford Steynton, Robert Henry James Rumbles Powditch, through his
Christian names, became the inheritor of his mother and fathers' past.
Last child to be born at Coventry, was Edith May, whose birth was
Registered between January and March 1895. Believed to have
married (although details are unknown), she used to visit her niece,
Patricia, and was known as "Aunt Edie".
By 1895, Thomas and Mary Ada were each aged 39 years old, and
had had seven children, even though three had died in infancy.
Whether the couple, with their children, continued living at Coventry
for long,
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after 1895 I do not know - although by (or before) 1922, Thomas and
Mary Ada had moved into the London area.
Which "Thomas Powditch" it was that researched Powditch history in
the early part of the 20th century (up to 1927, at least), I do not know
for certain, although "he" must have known certain branches on a "fairly
personal" basis. Thanks to his own research (part of which has been
given to me by Raymond Vernon Powditch, currently living in France), I
can write that Mary Ada - (erroneously recorded on Thomas' "tree" as
Ada Jemima James; the surname is correct, and Ada - as a middle
name - is correct, but Jemima was the Christian name of Thomas'
younger sister), was buried on 4 February 1922, at the age of 65 years
and 8 months, at Finchley Cemetery, Middlesex, North London - not far
from the Hendon and Edmonton based "other" branches of the
Powditch family.
Again, according to the Compiler, the year 1926 saw Thomas (Mary
Ada's husband) - still alive, and a widower, living in the area of St.
Pancras, London. No mention is made of Thomas and Mary Ada's
children - and likewise, no further mention is made regarding Thomas,
who by 1926, was already aged 70 years old.
Until further details are uncovered regarding Thomas, Mary Ada. Ethel
Maude R, Thomas Christopher C.T.M, and Edith May - then their
individual histories must remain shadowy, or in darkness. Thanks
however to Patricia Saye (nee Powditch), some of the history of her
father Robert Henry James Rumbles Powditch, gives us a "peep" into
part of the darkness.
Robert's birth - on 25 August 1892, was Registered "late" by his
parents - his name not appearing on the St,Catherine's Register until
the last quarter (October to December) of the year. Due to space
being at a premium in the printed Register, however, the entry was
shortened (to fit on the line), and he therefore appears as - Robert
Henry J. R. Powditch.
Apparently, Robert was not very happy at home, although "why", we do
not know. Anyway, by the end of November 1907, when he was aged
just 15 years old - he had not only "run away" from home and parents,
but had also managed to "find a place" on board the Training Ships
"Arethusa" and "Chichester". Based at Greenhithe - in the bend of the
River Thames, between the south bank districts of Dartford and
Northfleet - Robert was to serve on board the ships until the "2nd day of
March, 1909" and to be trained in the "art of seamanship".
Robert must have looked older than he actually was, for he had told the
Ship's Superintendent, in 1907, that he was aged 19 (or 20). Despite
the rear of his "discharge certificate" chronicling that his "Date of Birth"
was indeed 25 August 1892, the front of the certificate
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continued this incorrect age, by inserting the figure "21" after his name.
The Certificate - the wording of which was contained within a border
of chain links - was worded on its front, as follows;-
the reverse side of the Certificate, states;
also, under the heading of "DESCRIPTION", we find that Robert Henry
James Rumbles Powditch was described as;-
Having left the Training Ships In 1909 - when he was aged 17 years old
(despite the age of "21" stated on the Certificate) - Robert's later
movements (apart from marrying, and the birth of his children),
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were not, regrettably, communicated to his descendents, and
therefore there are many "gaps" in this branch of the family.
Known to have married (date unknown) Stefeni Iris Espin - whose
father was a Spanish Merchant - the couple were to, between 1932
and 1943, have five children, two daughters, and three sons. They
were;-
Within a year of each other, Robert Henry James Rumbles Powditch
and his wife Stefeni Iris - died. Stefeni, dying in 1960, and Robert,
dying in 1961 - both deaths being at Chadwell Heath.
To the best of my knowledge, there are few relics of Robert and
Stefeni's early life, or of their marriage, and later details. There is, of
course, the "Training Ship Certificate" mentioned earlier - and thanks
to his daughter - Patricia, I have been advised that Robert's
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first job was as a Fireman - and that later he had "worked for a
Newspaper".
Patricia and I first "met" in a most unusual way. In July 1987, I
participated in the John Donne Radio Show (BBC Radio 2), when I
tried to guess a "Mystery Voice".
Entrants (or "guessers" as they should, perhaps, be called), are
invited to send in a postcard with details about themselves, their
hobbies, etc. Needless to say, my postcard mentioned my research
into the Powditch name and family.
Despite my wife's comments that I would never be chosen to be on
the programme, I received a telephone call two days after posting the
card, and I "appeared" on the radio the following day !
After preliminary questions regarding me, John Donne "foolishly"
asked regarding the Powditch research - and there I "courted" the
air-waves for several minutes, talking about my favourite subject. When
John Donne finally managed to get a word in edgeways, he asked
whether there had been any "sheep-stealers" in the family - and upon
being advised that I had not found any Powditch's committing criminal
acts, he referred to the family as being "Peerless Powditch's", which
thrilled my Mother-in-law (Phyllis Mary Smith; nee Powditch).
Unfortunately I didn't get the "Mystery Voice" correct - but I did get my
"Powditch" message across.
The following day, I received a telephone call from the programme's
secretary. At first I thought that I had, after all, guessed the correct
identity of the "voice" - but no. The news that came down the 'phone
line was even better however, for a Mrs Patricia Saye, from Ongar, in
Essex, had rung in - having heard me on the radio - and besides being
a Powditch by birth, she was also trying to find out details about her own
Powditch forbears.
Needless to say, I contacted her that evening. Over the next few months,
by using both my own research notes, and Patricia's family details, we
discovered that her Grandfather Thomas, had in fact, been the son of
the James and Betsy who had moved from Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk;
to Milford Steynton, in West Wales; and who finally had settled at Cardiff,
South Wales - where Thomas was born in 1856.
In August 1988, Patricia travelled down to Swansea, to meet up with
my Mother--in-law, Phyllis Mary Smith (nee Powditch), and her family.
No longer "lost" were the descendents of Thomas Powditch.
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Finally, besides the "Arethusa Certificate", Patricia has also given a
copy to me of a letter written by a Thomas Powditch to - "Mr. Powditch"
(her father [?]; her grandfather [?]). Dated "30th October 1913", and
written from "10, Burkitt Street, North End, Kings Lynn", the letter
referred to its author's brother - "Alfred, at Wells", and sufficient details
to suggest that a certain amount of research had taken place. The
letter was signed "Thomas Powditch".
Thus it would appear, that in the early part of the 20th Century, two
Powditch's were, through correspondence, researching the history of
the family - whilst in other parts of the country, other Powditch's were
doing likewise. Could all their own researches be based on the
questions in Thomas' (of Kings Lynn) 1913 letter, when he wrote;-
I wonder what answers they all found ? I know the answers - (as
Volume 2 will eventually reveal) - but that's another story !
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Finally, after having looked at 9 of the 10 children of James and Betsy,
we now turn to their last child - Sidney.
This Christian name must have been important to James and Betsy,
for their two previous Sidney's (one spelt Sydney), had died several
years earlier, and yet they still re-used the name in 1867/1868, when
the last child of their marriage was born.
Sidney, along with Jemima, appear to have been the family stalwarts
in the Loudoun Square Methodist Chapel, as a look at the Chapel
records will reveal - and it was at this Chapel that young Sidney
married.
Recorded in the Chapel Register as Sydney (with a "y") Powditch, he is
shown (at the age of 24 years old), to have married 26 year old
Kathleen Amelia Davies, on 13 May 1892. Sidney - a Clerk - had
been living at 38 Margaret Street, Cardiff, with his parents, James and
Betsy - whilst Kathleen's address prior to her marriage, had been 11
Clare. Gardens, Riverside, Cardiff. The couples' fathers were listed as
James Powditch - Shipwright, and Edward Henry Davies - Builder,
and "Witnesses" to the marriage appear as Edward Davies (brother?)
and Rhys Thomas (no known relationship to the couple).
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Sidney and Kathleen, are known to have had one child, certainly, for the
records at Cardiff Cemeteries Department, include a "Burial Order.
(No.41271) for this poor little mite.
Dorothy Allpress Powditch was born in 1893, her birth (Registered
between April and June) being In the District of Cardiff. By the time of
her death, on 3 May 1894, her parents - Sidney and Kathleen - were
living in the Canton part of Cardiff, at Severn Road - and Sidney was
still shown as a "Clerk". Dorothy was aged just 14 months old.
Her funeral was held on Monday, 7 May 1894, at 5 p.m. - rather late
in the afternoon for a funeral (by modern standards), but possibly
Sidney may have been restrained by Victorian working hours, or there
may have been some other reason, "dictated" by the Cemetery
Authority. Whatever the reason, the burial went ahead on the late-
spring afternoon, and the young child was buried in grave plot number
S.211.
Sidney must have notified Cardiff Cemetery on 3 May 1894 - for this
is the date which appears on the Cemetery's "receipt", number 4220.
The receipt" states that Messrs Stone Bros. can have Purchase
Grave 'S' No. (Telephone) - the inference being that the grave
number was not known at that time, and that the answer would be
gained by "telephone". The year was 1894, and the telephone was still
in its infancy.
Did Sidney and Kathleen have any more children after the death of
their first child? Certainly there were two female births in the Cardiff
Registration District between 1895 and 1896 - namely Monica
Doreen Powditch (birth Registered between January and March 1895),
and Dilys Maud Powditch (birth Registered between October and
December 1896). Hopefully. someone can answer the questions as to
whose daughters they were; what place in (Powditch) history they
occupied; and what happened to Sidney and Kathleen in later years.
‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹
As we have already seen, James Powditch - born and married in
Wells-next--the-Sea, Norfolk; Shipwright; and father to 10 children, was
(as was his wife, and some of his children), a staunch member of the
Loudoun Square Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, in Cardiff. As the
Chapel records reveal, James and his family, were on many
Committees, involved with "Band of Hope" meetings, Sunday School
gatherings, singing, and many other aspects of the "life" within the
Methodist community, and yet - following James Powditch's death, in
1907, no-one in the family ever went to the Methodist Chapel again ! it
was almost as though old James held "feudal power" over his family.
Sadly, Betsy Powditch - James' widow - died almost unknown;
forgotten by the family, as she spent the last years of her life in the
Methodist Mission Hall, on the corner of Loudoun Square, in dockland
Cardiff.
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| "Peerless Powditchs"Vol.3 Norfolk Vacated |
Betsy died, a "relict", far away from her home town of Wells-next-the-
Sea, Norfolk, and she lies buried with her husband, James, in the
non-conformist part of Cardiff Cemetery; a large plain stone bearing
their names.
In the memories of Phyllis Mary Smith (nee Powditch), and Dorothy May
Vaughan (nee Powditch), Betsy remains a "shadow", yet I wonder
whether it really was Betsy Powditch that Phyllis and Dorothy saw, all
those years ago - when they visited Loudoun Square, and saw the
"lady in a long (black) dress".
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