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ELIZABETH 1839-1906
Elizabeth, or Lisa, was thirty-five when she married James Thomas on the 17th of August, 1874 at the Carmarthen town registry office. Until then she had lived at home with her parents at Ty’r Tranch. James was a fine boot maker and the son of David Thomas who was also a well-respected craftsman in the hamlet of Pont Antwn, on the road from Carmarthen to Llanelli. They first had a little cottage in the central Llan area of Llangyndeyrn, and the 1881 census shows the following: Llangyndeirne – Llan
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35.
By 1891 they had moved to Tyr Walks1, in Pont Antwn. By that census both Thomas and his brother John2 were away from home. They may even have started work as they were 14 and 13 years old respectively. By the census of 1901 it’s only James, Lisa and 21-year-old Hannah that are at home. James is noted as a shoe and boot maker and interestingly is recorded as coming from Llandyfeilog parish this time. In1906 Lisa Thomas died at Ty’r Walks, Pont Antwn (according to the parish records), she was 66 years old and was thankfully to miss the terrible tragedy that was to befall the little family. James Thomas died at his son John’s home at 8, Woodland’s Terrace, Blackpill, Oystermouth. He was 81 years old. I think that John, who was a stationmaster with the L&N.W. Railway Company, was unmarried and his sister Hannah looked after him and their father. The brutal murder of poor Thomas brought them all together in a most unwelcome way and I’m sure it’s effect stayed with them for the remainder of their days. Here's the unsettling story. Thomas Thomas (1877-1921)
"On Saturday night February 12th 1921, Thomas Thomas, manager of the Star Supply Stores, a well-known chain of shops, was bludgeoned and stabbed to death for the contents of the safe. There is no evidence that the murderer was ever caught. Two detectives from Scotland Yard investigated the crime according to the practice of the day. They were Inspector Nichols and Sargeant Cummins. An inquest was also held. The Star Supply Stores was said to be three doors from the Coronation Arcade in Garnant, and the rear of the premises was opposite the G.W.R. branch line. The assailant was thought to have gained entry through the rear door. Thomas had worked for the Star Company for about fifteen years in a similar position at their Llandeilo and Bridgend branches. He was single and lodged with Mr & Mrs Stephens at Park View, Horney Road. He was well thought of and was described as an industrious manager. He was known to be of “delicate health” and was described as being “quiet and inoffensive”. He was a native of Llangyndeyrn parish and his father was a well-known shoemaker in Pont Antwn. His only brother John gave evidence at the inquest. He was a stationmaster for the L&N.W. Railway Company and lived in Mumbles Road, Blackpill, Swansea. Several hundred people attended the funeral and all businesses closed for the day in Garnant and Glanamman. After a short service at Horney Road conducted by the Rev. John Thomas pastor of Bethesda, Glanamman, the cortege comprising of a motor hearse and up to twenty cars left for the burial service at Llangyndeyrn parish church. The vicar of Garnant, the Rev. William Williams also attended. The hymn sung was “Yn y dyfroedd mawr a’r tonnau”. The main mourners were his brother John Thomas and a sister named only as Mrs. Thomas. The bearers were all members of the Star Supply Company staff inspectors. Brother John speaking at the inquest said of his brother: “He was never very robust, he was stone deaf in one ear and had little service in the other. He suffered from headaches and varicose veins and he had been operated on for nasal problems in Swansea”. His simple epitaph at Llangyndeyrn reads: “Thomas Thomas died February 12 1921. 44 years old” All the above from The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News. Published on Thursday February 17th 1921. A copy is available at the Carmarthen Town Library. NOTES #1. Ty'r Walks is the third house down from E.Thomas' garage in Pont Antwn. #2. 1891 Census. Penddaulwyn Isaf.
1901 Census. Penddaulwyn Ganol.
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