Preece Family Tree

Events

Parents

Families

Pedigree

1. Edward Rees Griffiths
   1. Alice Artemisia Earley
      1. Edward Trefor Griffiths
         1. Tegwen Morgan

Ancestors

Edward Trefor Griffiths
*12 May 1905
+...

Edward Rees Griffiths
*between October 1877 and December 1877
+8 July 1910

Thomas Griffiths *1849 +14 February 1927

William Griffiths
*about 1826
+22 February 1893

Sarah
*about 1829
+14 February 1913

Sarah Anne Williams
*about 1847
+24 September 1906

John Williams
*
+before 1906

Alice Artemisia Earley
*29 September 1870
+14 December 1962

Catherine
*about 1841
+...

Source References

1. Wills on file
   1. • Page: Thomas Griffiths (1849-1927)
2. South Wales Daily News
   1. • Date: 19 February 1927
      • Page: Page 10
      • Citation:

        BURIAL OF MR T. GRIFFITHS, J.P.

        The burial took place privately yesterday in Oystermouth Cemetery, Mumbles, of Mr Thomas Griffiths, J.P., of Longfield West-cross, and formely of Maesgwyn Park, who was for 50 years associated with Messrs Insoles (Limited) and the Windsor Steam Coal Company. He was succeeded as general manager of Messrs Insoles Collieries of Porth by Mr W. Brynmor Davies, M.E., A.M.I.C.E., the youngest son of another pioneer of the Rhondda - the late Alderman E. H. Davies, J.P., who devoted his life to public work in Glamorgan.

        The family mourners were Mr W. T. Griffiths (son), and Messrs Trefor Griffiths (grandson), H. E. Thomas, and Rhys Morgan (sons-in-law), William Griffiths and J. S. Griffiths (cousins), and Ifor Griffiths (nephew).

        There were also present Messrs William G. Thomas, Evan Lewis; Eric R. Insoles and A. Norton Lewis (directors of Insoles, Ltd.), Edwin D. Davies (solicitor), J. Rice Jones, W. B. Davies (general manager of Insoles, Ltd.), George F. Martin, Arthur Preece (Porth), William Thomas, and J. Moy Evans. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. W. Smith (Congregational Church, Mumbles).

   2. • Date: 15 February 1927
      • Page: Page 1
      • Citation:

        GRIFFITHS. - On February 14th, at Longfield, West Cross, Swansea, Thomas Griffiths, J.P., late Director and General Manager, Insoles Ltd., Porth. Funeral 12 noon, Friday, for Mumbles Cemetery (strictly private). No flowers.

3. Rhondda Leader
   1. • Date: 16 July 1910
      • Page: Supplement - Page 3
      • Citation:

         

         

        Tragic Death of Mr. Edward Rees Griffiths, Porth.

        Large Funeral.

        With very deep regret we have to record the death of Mr. Edward Rees Griffiths, the third son of Councillor Thomas Griffiths, J.P., Porth (director and agent of the Cymmer Collieries), Which took place under tragic circumstances at the Bertie Pit (Lewis Merthyr Collieries) last Friday evening.

        Deceased, who was a traffic inspector at the Bertie Pit, in some unknown manner fell beneath the last journey of trams as it was making its way to the pit-bottom. He was taken out, and it was at once seen that serious injuries had been sustained. Medical aid was requisitioned, and Dr. Carrol, Trehafod, immediately descended the shaft and rendered every assistance possible. The injured man was then conveyed to the Porth Cottage Hospital, and was attended by Dr. L. H. Lewis. From the first it was seen, however, that all human aid was unavailing, and within five minutes after entering the hospital the unfortunate man had quietly breathed his last. Mr. Griffiths was well known and equally well esteemed in the neighbourhood. He was a devoted member of the Church of God at Mountain Ash; a man of deep religious conviction and of high moral principle. He leaves a wife and one child.

        The Funeral.

        Amid manifestations of widespread sorrow and regret the remains were interred at the Llethrddu Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Elder Edward Foster, of Roath Meeting House, presided over a short service at the residence, after which the cortege proceeded to the cemetery in the following order:- First coach - Mrs. E. Griffiths (widow), Master Trevor Griffiths (son), Mr. Thos. Earley (brother-in-law), Mr. J. Morgan (brother-in-law), Mr. Alfred Morgan (brother-in-law), and Miss Katie John (niece); second coach - Councillor Thomas Griffiths, J.P., and Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. John Griffiths, Mortlake, London, Misses Sarah and Lizzie Griffiths; third coach - Mrs. M. A. Thomas, Cymmer, Miss Sarah Griffiths, Pencoed, Mr. Willie Thomas, and Mr. Thomas Thomas; fourth coach - Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Thomas, Miss Mary Griffiths, and Miss Ann Griffiths; fifth coach - Mr. and Mrs. J. W. John, Ynyshir, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Glannant, Tonypandy; sixth coach - Rev. Oscar Owen, Porth, Rev. C. Tawelfryn Thomas, Groeswen; seventh coach - Mr. E. S. Williams (general manager, Cymmer Collieries), Mr. G. F. Martyn (cashier), Mr. W. H. Bowen (under-manager), Mr. E. Morgan (under-manager), and Mr. Ivor Morgan; eighth coach - Mr. Jno. Samuel (head mechanic, Cymmer Collieries), Mr. Thomas Yorath (manager, Upper Cymmer and No. 1 Level), Mr. David Davies (yard overman), Mr. Ed. Trueman, and Mr. H. E. Thomas; ninth coach - Mr. Vm. Evans, Mrs. J. Phillips, and Mrs. J. Stone, Cymmer. The bearers were:- Messrs. John Harris, John Davies (overman), John Davies (Cae'rysgol), John Bunn, Richard Toms, Alfred Williams, Samuel Breeze, and Griffith Lewis. Other officials of the Cymmer Collieries present were:- Messrs. D. W. Jones, Percy Martyn, T. Yorath, Wm. Evans, D. Cook, T. Richards, Tom Morgan, John Williams, E. Hodges, J. Griffiths, Thomas Harris, Griffith Lewis, John Crawnon Jones, and John Davies. There were present also the following officials of the Lewis Merthyr Collieries:- Mr. Charles Oatridge (manager, Bertie Pit), Messrs. Thomas Williams, David Rees, Owen Jones, Thomas Hopkins, David Jones, John Polsome, and Llewellyn Oatridge. Among the general public we noticed:- The Vicar of Porth (Rev. W. Thomas), Dr. L H. Lewis, Messrs. Octavius Thomas, R. Farr, J. Preece, H. Cooper, John J. R. James, J. T. Jenkins, T. Maddox, M. Hicks, Wm. Morgan (Llantwit), A. A. Evans (Trehafod), Lewis Lewis, Robert Morgan, T. Davies (chemist), T. Davies (Imperial Hotel), J. Towy Thomas, Obadiah Llewellyn, J. T. Richards (Cloth Hall), Llewellyn Williams, and Thomas Richards. There weie also present almost the whole of the Church of God at Mountain Ash, numbering about 150. At the graveside, a touching service was conducted by Mr. G. Prasher, Bridgend, who expressed pleasure that deceased had long since accepted the offer of the Lord Jesus Christ, and now rested confident of resurrection with the saints. There were a large number of floral offerings, including wreaths from "The Family at Maesgwyn," and one from Sir William Thomas Lewis, with the following inscription.- "With the sincere regret and sympathy of Sir William Thomas Lewis, Bart., and the Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries Company". A beautiful cross from "Johnny, Bertha and Family," also wreaths from Mr. Dd. Jenkins and family, Glannant; "Aunt Mary and family," Porth; and officials, Bertie Pit.

4. 1911 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG14/32310/176
5. 1939 Register
   1. • Page: XGBE/38
6. Western Mail
   1. • Date: 16 January 1925
      • Page: Page 7
      • Citation:

        FUNERAL OF MRS. THOMAS GRIFFITHS AT MUMBLES.

        The funeral of the late Mrs. Mary Griffiths, J.P., a well known Rhondda lady magistrate, which took place at the Mumbles Cemetery, Swansea, on Thursday afternoon, was a very impressive one, although it took place at a place remote from the scene of the lady's chief life activities.

        Mrs. Griffiths was the wife of Mr. Thomas Griffiths, M.E., J.P., formely director and general manger of the Insoles Cymmer Collieries, and sister of the late Mr. Tom John, Llwynypia, and she was (as already stated) a lady who had occupied many important public positions in the Porth district.

        There was a large attendance of relatives and friends from many parts of Glamorgan at the house, at which Mrs. Griffiths died in her retirement, namely, Longfield, West Cross, Mumbles, and many others attended at the graveside at the cemetery.

        At the services the Revs. A. Smith (Mumbles), E. C. Davies (Ynyshir), and D. Mark, M.A. (Porth), officiated.

        The chief mourners were Messrs. John Griffiths and W. Griffiths (sons), Evan Lewis, John Preece (brother-in-law), D. Moy John, solicitor (nephew), H. E. Thomas (son-in-law), Rhys Morgan (son-in-law), David Preece, Trefor Preece, and Arthur Preece (nephews), H. Cook, H. Wakefield, David Evans (Llandilo), the Rev. J. D. Jones (Cellan), Thomas Thomas (nephew), David Evans, Trefor Griffiths (grandson), Willie Thomas (nephew), John Griffiths and W. Griffiths, Los Angeles (nephews), Moy Evans, David Davies (Porth), F. G. Martin, W. Jackson, W. Rowlands, R. Llewellyn, W. Williams, John Thomas, John Samuel, Timothy Evans, M.E., John Morgan (Abertridwr), T. Day (Abertridwr), E. S. Williams, M.E. (Porth), W. B. Davies, M.E. (Porth), Dr. Marks, Rev. W. James (Swansea), Mr. J. Morgan (Porth), Messrs. H. J. Williams (Porth), J. D. Rees (Barclays Bank, Porth), John Hughes, J.P. (Porth), Octavius Thomas (Porth), John Davies (Porth), Wm. Chenery (Porth), Councillors Mark Harcombe, Abel Jacob, James James, and John Hughes, Messrs. J. H. Thorne, Gwilym Morgan, Griffith Morgan, H. E. Morris, and J. E. Lloyd (clerk to the governors of the county school), while at the graveside were also Mr. and Mrs. Arnott (Midland Bank, Porth), Lady Nicholas, Miss Harris (County School), Mrs. John Kane, Mrs. Dr. Davies, the Rev. and Mrs. Mark (vicar of Cymmer), Mrs. J. T. Lewis, Mrs. Davies (Brynbedw), Mrs. Lewis (Tylorstown), Mrs. Dr. Davies (Poplars, Porth), and Miss E. M. Harris (Porth County Schools).

        The services were very impressive, and the large congregation joined in singing with great earnestness the hymns "Lead, Kindly Light" (tune "Sandon"), "Jesu, Lover of my Soul" (tune "Aberystwyth"), and "Daeth yr Awr" (tune "Lausanne"). Over 70 wreaths and other floral tributes were sent by sympathisers.

        References to the loss sustained by the death of Mrs. Griffiths were made at Porth Police-court on Thursday by the Rhondda stipendiary (Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, M.A.) and Leiut-col. D. Watts Morgan, C.B.E., D.S.O, M.P.

   2. • Date: 15 January 1925
      • Page: Page 1
      • Citation:

        [DEATHS.]

        GRIFFITHS. - On the 12th inst., at Longfield, West Cross Swansea, Mary Griffiths, J.P., late of Maesgwyn, Porth. Funeral (Gentlemen only) Thursday, leaving the above residence at One p.m. for Mumbles Cemetery. Friends wishing to attend will meet at Mumbles Cemetery at 1.30 p.m.

   3. • Date: 17 January 1925
      • Page: Page 5
      • Citation:

        LATE MRS. MARY GRIFFITHS, J.P.

        More than sixty wreaths were received for the funeral of Mrs. Mary Griffiths, J.P., of Longfields, West Cross, which, as reported in Friday's Western Mail, took place at the Mumbles Cemetery on Thursday.

        They included the following:-

        Mr. T. Griffiths (husband); Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths, John, Bertha, Nansi, and Betty (Brighton), son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Griffiths (son and daughter-in-law); Messrs. Wynne and Douglas Griffiths (grandchildren); Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Thomas (daughter and son-in-law); Mr. and Mrs. R Morgan (daughter and son-in-law); Mr. J. Preece and family, Maesyrhaf, Porth; Mrs. Tom John (sister-in-law); Mrs. J. W. John and Mr. D. Moy John; Miss Griffiths and Mrs. Thomas (sisters-in-law); Mr. Evan Lewis; Dr Trevor Preece, Hull (nephew); the Misses Margaret and Madeline John (nieces); Mr. Moy Evans, solicitor, Swansea; Rachel, Mona, Maggie, Wakefield, and Cookie; chairmen and directors of Insoles (Limited); Cymmer Collieries; Mr. and Mrs. W. North Lewis; Cymmer Colliery Officials; Office Stall of Cymmer Collieries; Mrs. Insole, Ely Court; Commissioners, Guiders, Guides and Browies of the Rhondda Division; Clerk and Governors of the Porth Intermediate Schools; boys and girls of Caer salem Newydd, Cymmer.

        [etc, etc]

7. General Register Office: England & Wales Birth Index
8. Notice of Interment - Trealaw Cemetery
   1. • Date: 9 June 1910
      • Page: Edward Rees Griffiths
9. Thomas Preece: Gravestone photographs
   1. • Date: 22 June 2018
      • Page: Edward & Alice Griffiths, Trealaw Cemetery
   2. • Date: 19 June 2018
      • Page: Thomas & Mary Griffiths, Oystermouth Cemetery
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      • 
      • 
      • 
10. Burial Register - Trealaw Cemetery
    1. • Page: Plot D13
11. Richard C Watson: Rhondda Coal, Cardiff Gold: Insoles of Llandaff, Coal Owners and Shippers
    1. • Page: Page 160-161
       • Citation:

         It may be indicative of North Lewis's standing in the coal industry that in 1919, when the Prince of Wales visited South Wales, he came to Cymmer colliery where he was welcomed by North Lewis and, having been taken underground, allowed a newly worked district to be named after him.

         Tom Griffiths was also present for the royal visit but he was by this time one of the veterans of the company and on 24 January 1924 he retired at the age of 74. As one who had started work as a door boy, he had come a long way. By the time of his retirement he was a director of Insoles Ltd and the Windsor Steam Coal Co. Ltd, a member of the Conciliation Board, a past president of the South Wales Coal Owner's Association and a life member of the South Wales Institute of Engineers. He was particularly well known, trusted and admired for his work in colliery rescues and disaster explorations; he was at the Pentre disaster in 1871 and, after becoming manager at Cymmer, led the following rescues (the number of men who had been killed is shown in brackets):

         1879 Dinas (3)
         1880 Naval, Penygraig (96)
         1883 Gelli (4)
         1885 Naval (14)
         1885 Mardy (81)
         1887 Wattstown/Ynyshir (37)
         1892 Park Ship (110)
         1892 Great Western (58)
         1894 Albion, Cilfynydd (276)
         1896 Tylerstown (57)
         1899 Llest, Garw (19)
         1901 Senghenydd (82)
         1905 Clydach Vale (31)
         1905 Wattstown (0)

         In 1906 he retired from rescue work and was presented with a full-length portrait and a silver plate for his role in rescues and his public service by 'all classes' in the Rhondda Valleys. He was a Liberal member of the Rhondda Local Board and its successor, the urban district counsil, of which he was the second chairman in 1891-2. He was also a JP, known for his 'kindness on the bench', and a governor of the University of Wales.

         Griffiths was Welsh speaking and his early experience underground had helped him to gain the confidence of the men, being known for his fairness, understanding and sound judgement. According to Col. Watts Morgan MP DSO he was once asked to become the miners' agent. He retired to West Cross on the Gower where he died three years later on 11 February 1927. His funeral, conducted by the Congregational minister at the cemetery, was attended by Eric Insole and Arthur North Lewis.[1] He was succeeded by William B. Davies, the son of a county alderman from Pentre, who had been his deputy. Before coming to Cymmer Davies had a varied industrial career and had qualified as a civil, electrical and mining engineer. Davies's three brothers were a Cardiff doctor, a Harley Street specialist and a major in the Territorial Army, a very different background from both of his predecessors, Jabez Thomas and Tom Griffiths.

         [1] South Wales Daily News, 25 Jan. 1924, 13 Feb. 1927; Colliery Guardian, 18 Feb. 1927.

12. (Death unknown but obviously not living)
13. General Register Office: England & Wales Marriage Index