Preece Family Tree

Death of Mrs. Griffiths, Maesgwyn, Porth.

The death occurred at Barry on Tuesday morning of Mrs. Griffiths, wife of Councillor Thomas Griffiths M.E., J.P., Porth, and a director of Messrs. Insoles, Limited. The deceased lady had been in failing health for some months, and was staying at her Barry residence for the past month on the recommendation of her medical advisers. For the first few weeks her health improved, but her illness took a serious turn on Thursday last.

Mrs. Griffiths was born at Dinas about 60 years ago, and was a daughter of the late Mr. John Williams, who, it will be remembered, was one of the first employees of the late Mr. Walter Coffin at Dinas when the levels on the crop were commenced by him, and before there were any collieries sunk in the Rhondda Valleys. Subsequently her father was appointed manager under Messrs. Geo. Insoles & Sons, and he successfully managed the house coal seams for a considerable number of years. By her death, Congregationalism in the district has lost a most esteemed and devout member, and a strong connecting link with this denomination represented by her grandfather, father, and herself, and extending over a period of 100 years, has been severed. Local philanthropic institutions will also suffer, as she was ever ready to lend a willing hand in all charitable movements.

The interment, which will be of a public character, will take place on Saturday next at 2.30 p.m. at the churchyard adjoining the Old Congregational Chapel, Cymmer. The mortal remains were brought to Porth on Tuesday evening by the 6.15 train, and were conveyed by hearse to Maesgwyn. There were present on the platform a number of Cymmer Colliery officials, together with a large contingent of leading tradesmen, and these accompanied the mournful cortege to Maesgwyn.

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Funeral of Mrs. Griffiths, Maesgwyn, Porth.

The funeral took place on Saturday last, amid every manifestation of sorrow, of Mrs. Griffiths, Maesgwyn, wife of Mr. Thomas Griffiths, J.P., resident director of the Cymmer Collieries, the place of interment being the family vault, in the burial ground adjoining the Old Congregational Chapel, Cymmer.

Not since the burial of Mr. Daniel Thomas, who so tragically met his death at the Penygraig Explosion, and whose remains are interred in close proximity, has the district been the scene of such a vast concourse of people. "Yr Hen Gapel," Cymmer, together with the burial ground, are rich in their associations with the past, and it was here that a goodly portion of those poor unfortunate men who lost their lives in the Cymmer Colliery Explosion in 1857 are buried. Mrs. Griffiths had been a prominent figure in the religious life of the district from childhood, and the large and representative gathering which attended the funeral obsequies was clearly indicative of the high esteem and respect in which she was held.

The workmen at the Cymmer Collieries suspended operations at 12.30 p.m., in order to attend the funeral. There were present representatives of various mining interests, corporate bodies, and ministers of religion drawn from the Rhonddas, Aberdare, Merthyr, Llantrisant, Cowbridge, and Cardiff. It is estimated that there were close upon 5,000 people present, and as the mournful cortege wended its way along Glynfach Road, the huge crowds which lined the thoroughfares reverently bowed their heads, whilst there were unmistakable signs of general sorrow.

Under the conductorship of Mr. Taliesin Hopkins, the Congregational choirs of the district very pathetically rendered en route "Daeth yr awr im' ddianc adre" and "Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonau." As the body was being conveyed into the churchyard, the utmost reverence was displayed. The grave is within about ten yards from the entrance, and there was only sufficient room for the family, bearers and a few of the most intimate friends.

Amongst the immediate relatives present were:- Mr. Thomas Griffiths, J.P. (husband) Mr. John Griffiths, London, and Miss Sarah Griffiths (son and daughter); Mr. W. T. Griffiths, A.R.S.M., Calcutta, and Miss Lizzie Griffiths, (son and daughter); Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Griffiths, Mountain Ash (son and daughter-in-law); and Mrs. Thomas, Tonypandy (aunt). The bearers were Messrs. Daniel Davies (Waenlas, Cymmer) and William Lewis (Penpound), two of the oldest inhabitants of the district, and the respective heads of the various departments connected with the Cymmer Collieries in the persons of Messrs. E. S. Williams, M.E., W. H. Bowen, T. Tawenog Yorath, Ebenezer Morgan, John Lewis, H. E. Thomas, E. Samuel, G. F. Martyn, David Davies, Samuel Breeze, David Jones (manager, Windsor Collieries, Abertridwr), and Thos. Jenkins (surface foreman).

Amongst the general public we noticed - Mr. W. North Lewis, secretary, Messrs. Insoles, Ltd., arid the Windsor Steam Coal Co., Cardiff; Mr. W. James Thomas, J.P., Standard Collieries, Ynyshir; Mr. W. W, Hood, Glamorgan Coal Co.; Mr. Leonard W. Llewelyn, M.E., Cambrian Collieries; Mr, A. Creed, M.E., Naval Collieries ;-Mr. Tom Evans, M.E., Llwyny- pia; Mr. Jacob Ray, J.P., M.E., Tre- harris: Mr. J, W. Hutchinson, Lewis- MerthyL' Collieries; Mr. W. B. Jones, Blaenclydach; 11 Messrs. W. T. Griffiths Ile and Evan Williams, National Collieries, Wattstown; Councillors J. D. Williams, J-P., Clydach Court; R. S. Griffiths, F Tonypandy; Morris Morris Ferndale; W. T. Davies, Perth; D. B. Jones, Tre- herbert; David Smith, Tylorstown; and Thomas Davies, Pentro; Drs. Cochrane and Lewis, Cymmer; Dr. Ivor H. Davies, Porth; Dr. Howard Davies, Pontypridd; and Dr. Burke, Abertridwr Mr. W. P. Nicholas; Rev. W. Thomas, vicar of Cymmer and Porth; Rev. Gwilym Francis, curate; Dr. Waldo James, Bethania; Revs. J. Edwards, Salem E. C. Davies, Saron, Ynyshir; Jones, Calf aria; J, Lewis, Pisgah; John Wil- liams, Hafod; Owen, Cadoxton; Gronow, Pontypridd.; Messrs. J. P. Thomas, cashier, Insoles, Ltd., Cardiff; J. W. Jones, surveyor, R.U.D.C. Alder- Wan Morgan Williams; Messrs. F. C. Dunn, J.P., Cowbridge; T. Mill ward, solicitor, Pentre; A. J. Williams, soli- I CitQr, Pontypridd; J. W. John, Ynyshir Schools; T. W. Berry, Director of Educa- tion: Joshua E. Williams, Bronyglyn; S. B. Clode, M.R.C.V.S., Pontypridd; A. Probert, Ystradymynach Lewis Williams, Aberdare; W. T. Leyshon, Pontypridd; T. W. Young, Porth; T. H. Davies, -seere- tary, Porth Cottage Hospital; D. W. Jones, surveyor; David Davies, Garth Hall; Octavius Thomas, Llwyn Onn; T. Maddock; T. Morgan, Rhondda Hotel; Jacpb Rees, architect; Carnellion, and Mfyfyr Cynfig; and Mr. Dan Evans, M.E., Llwynypia.

There was quite a profusion of floral tributes in the form of harps, crosses and wreaths from the following:- Family; Baby, Nancy and Bertha; members of church (Caeysaiem Newydd); Pyiflmpr Colliery Steam Coal officials; Cymmer' Colljory House Coal officials,; Gynuuer Colliery Office staff; Windsor Colliery officials; Messrs. Geo. Insole and Sons, Cardiff; Mr, and Mrs, W. North Lewis, Llanishen; members of Tynycymmer family; Mr, and Mrs.. W, H, Mathiay, Tynycymmer Hall; Mr. David ^itkins and family, Glanfrwydd; Mr. and ~L's. Dunn, Cowbridge; Mrs. Packer and ^lily, Aldergrove; Mrs. E. S. Williams the Misses Williams, Office House Gwen Thomas, Maindy, Rhondda; Mother-in-law and two sisters; Mr., Mrs. Miss Davies, Garth Hall; Rev. W. TVrltlas and Mrs. Thomas, The Vicarage; iwrs- M. A. Jenkins, Pontypridd Road; ^r- and Mrs. W. T. Davies, Brynbedw; r and Mrs. Cochrane; Dr. and Mrs. ..l°ttel It. Lewis; Dr. and Mrs. R. Conway oj'ce: Dr. and Mrs. Burke, Abertridwr; ,� and Mrs. Octavius Thomas, Llwyn -*?11; Mr. W. Jenkins, Ystradfechan; and Mrs. B. W. Jones, Graigddu, JJnas; Dr. and Mrs. R. W. Jones, Pen- Wwceiber; Head Teachers of the Cymmer Council Schools; Mr. T. Maddocks, Porth Mr. T. Morgan, Rhondda Hotel; Mrs. M. A. S. Vessey and Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Vessey, Clifton; Mr. H. North Lewis, London; Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Thomas and family, Ashgrove, Pyle Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, America Place; Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Park Place, Cardiff; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dawson, Cardiff; and Mr. W. T. Leyshon, Pontypridd.

The coffin, which was of Welsh oak, with silver mounted fittings, bore the following inscription

Sarah Ann Griffiths
Died 24th September, 1906.
Aged 59.

The service at Maesgwyn was conducted by the Rev. C. Tawelfryn Thomas, Groeswen, and at the graveside by the Rev. Bryn Thomas, Ferndale. The family have been the recipients of close upon 600 messages of sympathy from all parts of South Wales. The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Mr. John Williams, undertaker, Cymmer.