Joseph WILLIAMS

                   BIRTH & CHRISTENING: F.H.L. Film #944,004, Hawarden Parish Records,
       "October 15th Joseph son of Robert & Mary Williams, Buckley, Labourer."
   MARRIAGE: GRO Certificate from London, England. Copy in possession of Helen Sharp Madsen.
   DEATH: GRO Certificate from London, England. Copy in possession of
       Helen Sharp Madsen.  "Cause of death - Cancer of the stomach."
   BURIAL: Maesyfryd Cemetery, Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales. Grave #527, Section B, No longer a headstone on this grave.

BAPTISM: F.H.L. FILM #183,434 SL AKE, p.249, #8948.
ENDOWMENT: F.H. L. FILM #184,101 SLAKE p.411, #14,762.
SEALED TO PARENTS: Computer IGI.
SEALED TO SPOUSE: F.H.L. FILM #184,609 SLAKE p.1089, #22,124.

Joseph Williams was the second son of Robert and Mary Edwards Williams, born the 15 September, 1817. His father was listed as labourer, both on the father's and sons's marriage records in the Hawarden Parish records. Robert was listed as from the parish of Northop, Buckley. His mother was listed from Ewloe of Hawarden Parish and they were married the 1 May, 1815, in the Hawarden Parish Church.  The certificate reads as follows:  Certificate No. 65:

Robert Williams of the township of Golftyn [a township and house in Northop Parish] of Northop Bachelor & Labourer  and Mary Edwards of the township of Ewloe of this parish of Hawarden    Spinster were married in this Church by Banns with Consent of Parents  this first day of May   in the Year One thousand eight hundred and fifteen
		By me  Henry  ___ _ _ __ _ _ _ _

This marriage was            X  } the mark     of Robert Williams
solemnized between us     X  } the mark     of Mary Edwards
In the Presence of           X   the mark     of Edward Faulkes
		           X    the mark     of Robt Williams Senr
When Joseph was 14 years old (1831) he worked at the brickworks.  When he was 19 years old he was bound to learn the trade of wheelwright (apprentice)

Mary and Joseph next moved to a home called Bodlondeb in Holyhead.  It was in this home that Mary died of what was called sloughing sore throat.  Her eldest son, John Bennion Williams, was with her at the time of her death.  The two oldest children had married before she died.

16 Aug 1878  Mary Bennion Williams died of a "Sloughing Sore Throat," at the family residence,  Bedlondeb, Holyhead.  A son, J. B. Williams was present at the time of death.

Shortly after Mary's death, sometime in 1879, Joseph again moved, this time to 8 Upper Park Street, and lived there until his death in 1892.

When the family moved to Upper Park Street, Samuel and Mary Eva were with him.  Samuel had come home from working on the railroad to go into business with his father.  The 1881 census lists an M. E. Hughes as a domestic servant for the family.

Samuel was an asset to his father, and the business expanded.  It was located at Station Yard, where it remained through the years.  They added building materials to their inventory, which was a successful venture as there was much building in Holyhead and surrounding areas at that time.

During his lifetime in Holyhead, Joseph was a very civic-minded man.  He served on the local board, on the burial board and also on the school board for many years, always striving to upgrade civic life for the many residents of Holyhead.

Samuel was an asset to his father, and the business expanded.  It was located at Station Yard, where it remained through the years.  Theyd added building materials to their inventoryf, which was a successful venture as there was much building in Holyhead at that time.

Sign taken from the old Park School and placed in the contemporary elementary school in Holyead
listing Joseph Williams as a board member.

1881 Census	Joseph Williams Upper Park Street  Coal Merchant

Arcticle written by Joseph appeared in Christian Commonwealth & published all over the the Nation.   "Methodist Stasticits"
	[check newpapers]

HOLYHEAD ANGLESEY MAIL 1882
Located Joseph Williams at School Board
Meetings several times
Under date of Saturday, Mdarch 25, 1882

	Holyhead Local Board Election:  (3rd ParagraphJ)  Mr. Joseph Williams, though defeatd at the last contest, has buckled on his armour again, and is rather confident of the result.  Being by this time what may be called a veteran - having foung and won, as well as fought and lost many, many a battle, he has many advantages in his favour, and may, once more, be hailed by his friends as a conquerer on the polling day.

Saturday, April 2, 1882.

	Results of the Election:

	W. P. Elliot			748	1
	W. Roberts			692 	2
	Joseph Williams		            672	3
	Dr. Roland Williams		551	4
	R. Williams			540
	Capt. John Jones		            508
	W. Williams			377
	W. R. Williams			308

	The first four represnt the Holyhead ratepayers on the local board, and it is to be hoped that they will "acquit themselves like men,. . . "

	There are a considerable number also who congratulated Mr. Joseph Williams upon his return after a 12 month absence from the board, and who believe that he will prove to be a better member than ever.


1891-1892 Poll Records
1891  	Joseph Williams listed at Upper Park Street -freehold lease of house Minydon or Mingdon?

1892  Article written by Joseph Williams for Holyhead Mail on
"Life on the Rails"?  [check newpapers]

1892 - Parlimentary voter and county elector:  Mr Joseph Williams 8 Upper Park Street Dwelling House,

1892 23 July   Joseph Williams died at age 75 of Cancer of the Stomach.  8 Upper Park Street, Holyead, was his residence and he was a coal merchant.  His son, S. B. Williams was with him at the time of death.

July 28,1892         Thursday	The Holyhead Mail

OBITUARY OF JOSEPH WILLIAMS.
DEATH OF COUNCILLOR JOSEPH WILLIAMS, HOLYHEAD.
"This week, it is our painful duty to record the death of Councillor Joseph Williams, Holyhead.  The event took place on Saturday morning.  The deceased gentleman was one of the best known and most highly-respected gentlemen of Anglesey.  He was born at Buckley in 1818, of humble but respectable parentage.
    At the age of 14 he commenced work at a brickworks, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age.  When he left he bound himself to learn the trade of a wheelwright, in which calling he afterwards displayed considerable proficiency.
    "During his 25th year he married, and his marriage proved a happy union until the death of Mrs. Williams, some fourteen years ago.  A few years afterwards he went into the London and North-Western Railway Company's carriage department at Crewe.  When engaged in this department, he was selected out of a large number of employees by a patentee to superintend the making of carriage wheels to be used by the London and North-Western Railway Company. "After having distinguished himself at Crewe, in this department, which was then in its infancy, he was appointed a foreman over the carriage department at Bangor, whence (after a brief stay, consequent on some new arrangements) he was removed to Holyhead, where he resided since.  Mr. Williams at this time had a fair amount of leisure; but his active nature would not permit him to be idle, and he occupied his time in improving his education.  For three years after Mr. Williams arrived at Holyhead, all the  trains were run to Llanfair prior to the erection of the Tubular Bridge.  The passengers were there transferred to coaches, and were drawn across the Menai by horses.  Mr. Williams remained in the capacity of foreman in the carriage department for over 20 years when he became a general merchant.  In this calling, he remained up to the time of his demise.
      "The  deceased gentleman became connected wiwth the Wesleyan Methodist cause when very young, and having showed aptitude as a public speaker he was placed on trial as a local preacher during the years [1881-2].  Subsequently, he was `raised to full plan' which position he continuted to hold for many years, finally resigning the same five or six years ago.  Subsequently, he joined the English Calvinistic Methodist Church at Holyhead, doing much good servcie in this newly started cause.  On coming to Holyhead, the English Wesleyan Chapel, Cross-street, was closed every third Sunday, the minister preaching every third Sunday between Holyhead and Amlwch.  On Mr. Williams's arriving at Holyhead, he was attired in railway uniform, and so zealous were the lady members of the English Wesleyan cause that he should occupy the pulpit of the Sunday that they procured him the loan of suitable clothing to preach on the ensuing Sunday.  Mr. Williams used to relate the incident with great glee at social gatherings.  For 25 years almost without intermission he continued to occupy the pulpit every third Sunday at Holyhead.  Many imagined that he was minister of the chapel, and he was frequently styled `Rev.'  He also preached in conjunction with others for even a longer period, and filled all the offices that the church could confer upon him, being circuit steward and class leader for considerably over thirty years.  In addition to his pulpit ministrations at Holyhead he used to preach all along the Welsh  Coast - especially at Llandudno - frequently in the open air at the Happy Valley.
      "Mr. Williams took a great interest in Public affairs.  He was a member of the school board since its formation.  He was a member of the local board for about 10 years, and was repeatedly elected a member of the Holyhead Board of Guardians.  In some of these elections, he was at the head of the poll.  He was elected to the first County Council and stood well on the list.  At the last election, he was returned for the ward comprising London-road, Blackbridge, and Queens-road, without opposition.  On one occasion he was invited to become a candidate in the labour interests for Parlimentary honors, his expenses being guaranteed, but after due deliberation he declined the invitation.  He frequently contributed to the press and his letter in the Chrsitian Commonwealth on `Methodist statistics' excited considerable interest and was reproduced by the press all over the country.
He was a great friend to the poor and was immensley popular with all sections of the community.  His loss will be severely felt by many to whom he proved himself a friend in their extremity.  He  often contributed to the columns of this paper.  His last letter on `Life on the Rails' appeared but a few weeks ago.  The letter alluded to pleaded for the railway servants and the public good alike.

                                                     THE FUNERAL
      "Councilor Williams was interred on Wednesday afternoon, the funeral being a public one, and attended by an immense concourse of people, including numbers of Church of England and Nonconformist ministers, and professional gentlemen of the locality.  The representatives of public bodies of the town and neighbourhood present included the guardians, the local board, the school board, and the County Council.  The officers of English Presbyterian church of which the deceased was member, followed the public bodies.  Mr. Hugh Williams, Admiralty House, vice-chairman of the Public Coffee House, of which deceased was director for thirteen years, was also present.  The funeral was the largest in Holyhead for many years past.  The Rev. J. Hughes Parry, assisted by the Rev. Ernest Thies, officiated, and at the dying wish of the deceased, the hymn commencing "Thy life was given for me" was announced; and another Welsh hymn being feelingly sung at the graveside.  The  deceased was father of Messrs. John B. Wiliams (Wolverhampton), and Samuel B. Williams, (Holyhead), also of Mrs. Bradshaw, Market-street.  He expressed a wish that the funeral arrangements should be the simplest, and his behests in connection with the interment were admirably carried out.  The shopkeepers and the general public manifested their respect in the usual way.  Vast crowds lined the route, and deep sorrow for the loss and sympathy with relatives was shown.
From the "Holyhead Mail" July 25, 1892.
Death Certificate states cause of death as "stomach cancer."

The following copy of Joseph's will was copied with spelling, punctuation or lack of it left intact.  When words were obviously omitted they have not been added.  It would appear that Joseph dropped his h's not only in speaking but also in his spelling.

BE IT KNOWN, that the date hereunder written, the last will and testament of JOSEPH WILLIAMS, late of No. 8 Upper Park Street, in the parish of Holyhead in the County of Anglesey, Coal Merchant, deceased, who died on the 23rd day of July 1892 at No. 8 Upper Park Street, foresaid was proved and registered in the Principal Probate Registry of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice and that the administration of the personal estate of the said deceased was granted by the foresaid Court to JOHN BENNION WILLIAMS of Stratford Road, Wolverton, in the County of Buckingham, Railway Superintendent Assistant, the son the sole Executor named in the said Will, he having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same.

Dated the 14th day of October 1892
Gross value of Personal Estate 989 pounds 13s. 0d.

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me, Joseph Williams Coal Merchant 8 Upper Park Street, Holyhead, County of Anglesey - all other wills are made void and disannulled.  I leave and bequeath to my eldest son John Bennion Williams now residing in Wolverton, Buckingshire the house situted in Newry Fawr Street called Byellina Don No. 1 there is a morgage on it from James Wells Esquire in Holyhead, further I leave the foresaid John B. Williams the freehold house No. 4 Brynmore Terrace now occupied by W. Parry joiner this also as a morgage on it by the foresaid James Wells Esquire Holyhead and further I leave the foresaid John B. Williams a house in Lower Park Street No 24 now occupied by Mr. Henderdeson Chief Irish De  ] this as no morgage on, further I give and bequeath to the foresaid John B. Williams five shares in the Wesleyan high Education School at Colwyn Bay and I appoint him John B. Williams my sole Executries.  To my daughter Mrs. Elizabeth Bradshaw Market Street Holyhead I leave and bequeath No five Brynmore Terrace now occupided by Mr. Tealing the morgage on this from Mr. James Wells Holyhead further I leave her the foresaid Mrs. Elizabeth Bradshaw the cottage next to the entry on Armenia Street now occupided by a Mr Hughes further I leave her the [  ] in Lower Park Street No 28 now occupied by Mr. Edwards Ship carpenter further I paid 30 pounds for a diving apparatus now in the possession of Robert Williams Pilot Waterside Holyhead   He paid half and we were to share in what was earned.  I leave and bequeath all this to her the foresaid Mrs. Bradshaw Market Street Holyhead  To my youngest son Samuel Bennion Williams who now lives with me at No 8 Upper Park Street Holyhead County of Anglesey I leave and bequeath the foresaid No. 8 Upper Park Street intirely too him and all everything within and without it on the premises with this request that he takes care of the Oldam chair and clock that belonged to his dear mother further I leave and bequeath No Three house Brynmore Terrace now occupied by a Mr Williams Ship Carpenter further I leave and beueath to him the house now occupied by Mr Roberts Tailor Lowert Park Street or Armenia Street the deeds of these houses as well as those of Lower Park Street are in the Nationall Provincial Bank, Holyhead   Further all monies from whatever source whether from Star Life Assurance or their Provident Association London must be brought into the business which I entirely leave to him with all that belongs to it only with exception I bequeath out of the money ten pounds to Berty Slater eldest son of my daughter Eva Slater this foresaid said ten pounds to be deposited in the Post Office Saving Bank in the joint names of John Bennion Williams and Berty Slater until he is twenty one yers old then he can do as he wills with it  Signed by the foresaid Joseph Williams Witness Reese James Johns  8 Swift Square Holyhead  George Lewis Mount Norris Holyhead Affidavit of due execution filed.

On 14th Oct 1892 Probate of this w