Richard and Gwenllian Williams Family

by

Gladys Williams Bradfield

In writing this history of the Richard and Gwenllian Williams family, I go back to the country of Wales. A beautiful country I hear. My grandfather came to the United States with his family for the sake of the Gospel. Leaving his parents and brothers and sisters there. Later on one of his brothers came as far as Pittsburgh, Penn., but he never came to Utah, so my grandfather never saw him. He did see a niece, Emma Williams Mason, a daughter of his brother, Edmund. And he saw John Williams, a son of Jenkin and Elizabeth Williams, his brother who came to Pittsburgh. Jenkin Williams' one son, Richard E. Williams, was a Baptist Minister, also an author. He wrote the book, "Glimpse of Wales and the Welch." Two of this man's daughters live in Pittsburgh now. (1956)

Edmund or Edment Williams was born in Dowlais, Glamorganshire, Wales, in the year 1785. He died 6 November 1868. I have not found the name of his wife, but hope to soon. His son Richard, probably called Richard Edment, was born in Gelligare, Glam. Wales. He was an iron founder. He died 11 July 1882 at Tir Phil, Gelligare, Glam. Wales. He must have been a wonderful man from what I can gather. A very determined soul which gave cause to the phrase which has come down through the years, "The old Dick Edment Spirit."

Richard and Gwenllian had a family of eleven children. Eight boys and three girls. Edmund was born in 1829 in Mertyr Tydfil, Glams. Wales. He married Mary Watkins and had eleven children. Jenkin, their next born 1830 died as a baby. A daughter, Mary was born May 1832 and died 24 December 1864. Another son was born in 1864 at Bedwellty, Mon. Wales.

They named him Jenkin and he married Elizabeth Jones on the 21 April 1857 and had a family of five. A girl, Gwenllian was born in 1837 and died in 1842. A son, who became my grandfather, Thomas Reese, was born 17 February 1839, at Dowlais, Glams, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. He married a young lady named Priscilla. They had no children. She died and he married Sarah Price the 19 March 1864, and they had eight children. Richard's and Gwenllian's seventh child Richard, was born 1 December 1841, at Rumney, Tredegar, Befwellty, Mon. Wales. He married June Williams on the 30 December 1867 and had six children. William was next, born 12 December 1844. He married Elizabeth Jones. They had seven children. The next was another girl and the named her Gwenllian, she was born 21 October 1847, at Merthyr Tydfil, Glams., Wales, she died in 1853. Howell was their tenth son born 28 January 1851 at Pontlottyn, Gelligare, Glams. Wales. He married Mary Ann Ashton. He was hurt in a mine accident and died from the injuries on the 16 April 1877, leaving one daughter.

Thomas Reese, the sixth child was the only one of this large family to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was baptized a member in 1860 in Wales. After he joined the Church his own family would have nothing to do with him. In the fall of 1878, Thomas and Sarah, his wife, and their four children (they had lost two babies, one Maria Jane, just the January before they left sailed to America to be with the Saints. Sarah's father and mother and family had already come to Utah, and her brother William had sent money to help them come. The train had been in use several years when they came. When they arrived in Elko, Summit, Utah, Sarah's mother and father., Thomas and Mary Price, were there to meet them with an ox team. They went to Coalville and stayed there long enough to have dinner, then they continued on to Rockport, where they were to make their home.

Thomas worked for one dollar a day grubbing sage brush, and about anything else he could get to do.

While they lived in Rockport, Utah, they had a baby boy, William John they named him. He was born 3 August 1880. Soon after this they moved to Wanship, Utah. While living in this town another son was born to them. Edmund Lorenzo they named him. Sarah never got well after the birth of this baby. When he was six weeks old she died the 22 February 1882. Sarah never did get to see the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. She was a very retiring little lady and couldn't get used to the American way of life.

After Sarah's death, Thomas had quite a time trying to care for his family of six. Mary was the oldest girt and she was only eighteen. The children were scattered in several different homes It was really hard on him and his family. Mary married the next year on the 24 December 1883 to William Werrett.

In the years after Sarah's death, Thomas moved from place to place trying to make a living. He lived in Sandy, Midvale, Winter Quarters, Scofield and Salt Lake City, Utah. His life was a hard one. His little children grew up and went their way. He was always faithful to his Church. His tithing receipts show he was an honest and full tithe payer until the day he died.

On the 10 August 1893 Thomas married a lady for this life only, her name was Ann Hamlin. They both lived in Scofield, Emery, County, at that time, but they were married in Salt Lake City, Utah. She died and he married again. On the 10 November 1897 he married Ann E. Evans. Also for this life only. She was from Spanish Fork, Utah. She died soon after.

Thomas moved to West Jordan, Utah. While he lived there he again married. This time to Sarah Norman Stubbs, on the 16 December 1905. They were very happy together. They moved to Salt Lake City, and they lived in a little house on 562 Bothwell St. on 8th West. Near the Jordan River. On the 17 September 1951 we sealed Thomas and Sarah to each other in the Logan Temple.

Thomas lived a good life. Everyone who knew him said he was such a kind loving person. I guess I was the only grandchild who never saw him. For which I am sorry. He died 17 February 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thomas's children married and had families of their own. Mary, who married William Werrett, had eight children; Thomas married Mary Ann Jones and had eight children; Sarah Ann married Joseph Williams and had fourteen children; Gwendoline married Harry Williams and had eleven children; Edmund Lorenzo married Hannah Stevens and had six children. They divorced and he married Sarah Stella Wright and they had no children.

Many of Richard and Gwenllian Williams family live in Wales today. Some of them were Headmasters in schools. There is one great grandson who is on the London Police Force. All kinds of occupations can be found among the family; farmers, teachers, miners, and everyday hard workers. Their family is a good family, a big family.