David Jones was born the 15th of February, 1853 in LLandissilo, Cardigan, Wales. His parents names are believed to be Thomas and Catherine Jones.
In 1870 when David was about 16 years old, he moved to Mountain Ash, Llanwonno, Glamorgan, Wales, to work in the coal mines there. Most of his working time was spent in the Deep Dyffryn Colliery (description below):
Deep Dyffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash.
"The colliery then employed 1400 men and was at the peak of its operation in peacetime. It was one of the deepest mines in South Wales. Its first working shaft was sunk by David Williams of Ynyscynon (also known by his Bardic name of Alaw Goch) to the Four Feet Seam at a depth of 850 feet. In 1947 - at nationalisation - the workforce had shrunk to around 700. Deep Dyffryn was closed in 1979.
DEEP DUFFRYN COLLIERY - Sunk by David Williams in 1850, this was the first colliery of any significance to be established in the lower end of the Cynon Valley. The sinking proved to be a hazardous and costly operation due to the soft sandy nature of the soil, with it taking five years to reach the four foot seam at a depth of 849 ft. The colliery was sold in 1856 to John Nixon who installed a new ventilator and winding engines, improving the working conditions at the colliery and raising the level of coal production. The colliery was owned and worked by Nixons Navigation Company until 1930 when it was merged with the Welsh Associated Collieries Limited. In 1935 the colliery was purchased by Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries, who retained ownership of the colliery until the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947. Deep Duffryn Colliery eventually became uneconomical and was closed by the National Coal Board in 1979."
On November 8, 1880, Davy Jones married the widow Sarah Bengough Bowen. Sarah's husband John Bowen had passed in 1878. John and Sarah had resided at #2 Graig St., Mt. Ash, while Davy lived at a few doors down at #6 Graig St...apparently Davy and Sarah were acquainted as neighbors prior to their marriage.
Per marriage certificate: Registration District is Merthy Tydfil, in the County of Glamorgan and Brecon, David Jones, age 28 and Sarah Bowen (widow, Bowen is married name) age 37 were married on November 8, 1880 in the Registrar's Office. David's father, Thomas Jones (farm laborer) was deceased, and Sarah's father, Thomas Bengough, (alive) is listed as a carpenter. Married in the presence of Thomas R. Watkins, and Margaret Thomas ("x", for her mark).
Per 1881 Welsh Census:
293544 3 Graig St JONES, David Head M 29 M Coal Miner
293545 3 Graig St JONES, Sarah Wife M 37 F Wife
David Bowen 12 step-son
Daniel Bowen 10 step-son
William John 8 step-son
RG11/5325 Folio 101 Aberdare
On June 30, 1882, a daughter they named Mary Ann, was born to Sarah and David while the couple was living at #3 Graig St., Mt. Ash.
Located in 1891 Wales Census, St. Margaret's Parish, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan Co.
Residing at #26 Woodland St., Mt. Ash...family spoke Welsh at home
Name: David Jones
Age: 38
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1853
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah Jones
Where born: Cardiganshire, Wales
Civil parish: Aberdare
Ecclesiastical parish: St Margarets
Town: Mountain Ash
County/Island: Glamorgan
Country: Wales
Speak Welsh at home
Registration district: Merthyr Tydfil
Sub-registration district: Aberdare
Listed in household:
D. Jones 38 occupation: collier in coal mine
Sarah 48
Daniel Bowen 22 coal miner
William Bowen 17 coal miner
Mary Ann Jones 8
Davy's wife Sarah Bengough Bowen Jones died at age 53 of nephritis (for 6 months) on July 22, 1896 at BrynBedwen Villa, Aberdare Rd., Mt. Ash. The certificate was signed by her husband David Jones whose occupation was listed as 'miner'. Sarah's daughter Mary Ann had just turned 14 the previous month. Sarah is buried in Mt. Ash Cemetery. Also buried in the grave with Sarah is the baby, David Hesro Jones, son of David Jones and his 2nd wife Anne Elias. (When Kathy and I went to the cemetery in May 2019, it was closed and a warning sign posted 'no admittance due to falling headstones, etc. Did not make it to Sarah's grave for photos.)
Davy remarried in 1899 to his second wife, Ann Elias...registration district Pontypridd, Glamorgan...Vol. 11a, page 658, Names: Ann Elias, David Jones.......in the 1901 Wales Census, they are noted as having a one-year old daughter, Annie May.
1901 Wales Census
Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship
David Jones abt 1855 Llandissilio, Cardiganshire, Wales Head
Anne Jones abt 1874 Carmarthenshire, Wales Wife
Ann May Jones 1900 Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales Daughter
Name: David Jones
Age in 1901: 46
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Relation: Head
Occupation: coal worker
Spouses's Name: Anne
Where born: Llandissilio, Cardiganshire, Wales
Civil parish: Llanwonno
Ecclesiastical parish: St Margaret
Town: Mountain Ash
County/Island: Glamorgan
Country: Wales
Registration district: Pontypridd
Household Members:
Names & Ages
David Jones 46
Anne Jones 27
Ann May Jones 1
Living @ # 78 Aberdare Rd., Mountain Ash
Per Sunday, 4/2/1911 Welsh Census:
Registration district: Pontypridd
Registration District Number: 589
Sub-registration district: Llanwonno
Years Married: 12
Estimated Marriage Year: 1899
David Jones 55 Colliery Fireman, underground (speaks English and Welsh)
Ann 37 (wife) married 12 years, six children w/ 4 living
Annie May 11
Heulwen 6
Cecil H. 2
Tegwedd 4 months (female)
John Elias (nephew) 28
Lewis D. Evans boarder 17
Address: Brynfedwen, Aberdare Rd., Mt. Ash, Pontypridd, Llanwonno Parish, Glamorgan
1939 England and Wales Register, Mountain Ash:
#28 Woodland St:. David Jones Feb.14,1853 Colliery Hewer (retired)
Annie Jones Sept.16,1873 unpaid dom.duties
# 28A Woodland St. Edward Loosemore Nov. 13,1886 Colliery Hewer
Annie M. Loosemore June 14, 1898 (David and Anne's daughter and spouse)
During WWII, Davy's granddaughter Connie (daughter of Mary Ann) and her husband George Benning sent 'care' packages overseas to David and family. These packages also included money. They did this monthly throughout the war.
NOTE: Welsh was spoken at home, though David's daughter, Mary Ann Jones Tasker, never spoke Welsh to her children or grandchildren.
Per his death certificate, David died 27 October 27, 1947, of a subdural hemorrhage (was in a coma when he died) and suffered from 'senility'. He was 94 years old, and residing at #28 Woodland St., Mountain Ash at the time of his death. The death cert is signed by his son, C.H. Jones, living at 17 Acorn St., Canton, Cardiff.
Obit provided by cousin David Margrie
From the Aberdare Leader, Mountain Ash Edition November 8th, 1947 Page 8:
"Mr. D, Jones, Mountain Ash
Monday week marked the passing of one of the oldest and most respected inhabitants of Mountain Ash, Mr. David Jone 28 Woodland Street.
Aged 94, Mr. Jones came to the valley in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war, when he was 16 years old. He worked for 50 years at the Deep Duffryn Colliery, and afterwards at Cwmbach as a fireman.
He had vivid memories of Caradog, and was an active worker in the trade union movement in its earlier days. He also claimed the distinction of being one of the earliest members of the old Cwmbach Co-op Society, and was the oldest co-operator in the valley.
Mr. Jones, who was a deacon for over 40 years at Bethel Chapel, Miskin, married Miss Ann Elias, of Carmarthan, in 1898, who together with a son and two daughters, survive him.
Hale and hearty until comparatively recently, Mr. Jones was a keen bowls enthusiast and even at the age of 90 was often to be seen playing.
Many friends regret his passing and extend deepest sympathy to the bereaved widow and family.
Internment took place at Maesycarian Cemetery on Thursday, the Rev. John Phillips, Bethania, one of deceased closest friends, officiating.
Mourners were: Cecil, son; George and Albert, sons-in-law; Gordon and David, grandsons; G and J. Watts, W.H. Evans, G. Bowen, W.R. Jones, J.R. Jones, T. Jones, ___ ; James, Evans, and D. Owens, nephews.
At the house: widow; Huelwen, Tegwedd and Ann, daughters; Beryl, Ann, Mary and Stella, grand-daughters; Miss H. Watts, Mesdames W. Jones, J. Jones, T. Jones, James, N. Elias, M. Bowen, nieces; also friends.
Bearers were: Messrs. H. James, R. Abrahams, W. Thomas, S. Thomas, D.F, Thomas, R. Jones (deacons of Bethel Chapel) T. Payne, and T. Edwards.
Funeral arrangements by Mr. Thomas Davies, 5 Thomas Street., Miskin."
Bethel Church, Miskin, Glyngwyn Street, Mt Ash
Bethel, Miskin was an Independent chapel in Glyngwyn Street, Miskin, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Bethel were conducted in the Welsh language.
The church began in the form of a Sunday School held under the supervision of one Henry Eynon in the Long Room of the Bailey Arms. Members of Bethania, Mountain Ash, were instrumental in establishing the chapel, and weekly meetings were initially held in 33 Victoria Street. The chapel was opened in 1903 with seating for 600. It was built at a cost of £2,947 and the architect was T.W. Miller of Mountain Ash. After three years without a minister, J.H. Evans of Newport, Pembrokeshire, was inducted as minister in 1918. There were numerous nonconformist chapels at Mountain Ash. Of the Welsh language chapels only Bethania (Independent) remains open today. Bethlehem (Calvinistic Methodist) has closed. There was another Independent chapel at Bethel, Miskin.
Pam Marks 
AncientFaces 