Jonathan Williams - from Rhos to Kearsley
Jonathan Williams was born 28 April 1854 in Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, Denbighshire in Wales to Jonathan Williams born 1815 and Elizabeth Williams born 1815. Jonathan's siblings were Thomas and Esther.
Rhos or formerly known as Rhosllanerchrugog village developed around the mines going back to around the 16th century. As the nearby Bersham Ironworks required coke to smelt the iron, the need for coal increased, encouraging many miners and their families to live and work around as many as 50 pits. The wages were low and were often paid in goods from shops owned by the mining employers - these shops were often called Tommy Shops.
This system was insufferable and many miners rioted during the 1830's which was ceased by the militia. In the 1870's there were closures of collieries and brickyards, some thousand or more people were unemployed, which led to people starving in the streets.
Jonathan along with his brother and father were all coal miners. However, Jonathan decided to move because he needed work and came to live in Settle Street, Kearsley. He met Mary Hobson born 1860 the daughter of Ellis Hobson born 1833 and Alice Booth 1829. They lived on Tasker Lane which is now known as Springfield Road.
Ellis was also a coal miner and had 5 daughters all born in Kearsley; Jane 1856, Phoebe 1857, Mary 1860, Margaret 1862 and Hannah 1870. Ellis and Jonathon possibly worked together in the same pit; there were many mines in the Farnworth and Kearsley areas.
Jonathan and Mary married on 31 January 1880 at Bolton Registry Office. The witnesses at their wedding were Phoebe Hobson, Mary's sister and a family friend Thomas Tong.
They had eight children Elizabeth 1882, Jonathan 1883, Margaret 1886, Mary Alice 1889, Ellis Hobson 1892, Phoebe 1897, Esther Jane 1899 and Albert Edward 1900.
The Children
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| Albert Edward Williams born 1900 and wife Nellie nee Grundy |
Phoebe Williams born 1897 |
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| Margaret Williams born 1886 |
Mary Alice Williams born 1889
married Edwin Kelly born 1892 |
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