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William Gwatkin


William Gwatkin was born at Walterstone, in Herefordshire c. 1820.

He was the son of James Gwatkin (who had been born at Goytre, Monmouthshire c. 1787) and Elizabeth Richards (born c 1785, birthplace unknown). James was a farmer, according to his son William’s marriage entry. James and Elizabeth had married at Goytre, although at this point, James was noted as residing at Llanvihangel Crucorney. After a relatively brief stay in Herefordshire, James and Elizabeth had returned to Goytre, by 1823.

William had at least three siblings. All three were christened at Goytre; Matthew on 2nd Oct 1823, Richard on 31st May 1826 and Anne on 23rd Dec 1833.

William married Eliza Williams at Monkswood on 8th May 1845. Eliza had been born c 1819 at Mamhilad. According to census records, neither spoke Welsh.

William and Eliza had at least nine children:

1. Edwin William Gwatkin (Christened 15th Mar 1847 at Goytre). Edwin married Louisa Prodger (born 1844 Llanover, Monmouthshire - Abergavenny JUN Qtr 26 / 5) in 1870 at Newport, Mon (SEP Qtr 11A / 264) (NB GRO Has two ref for marriage Louisa Prosser and Louisa Proger - see name on one of their children

Their children were:

William Prodger Gwatkin 1871 Mamhilad, Monmouthshire (Pontypool SEP Qtr 11A / 140)

Edwin John Gwatkin 1873 Goytre, Monmouthshire (Pontypool SEP Qtr 11A / 173)

Annie Louisa Gwatkin 1876 Goytre, Monmouthshire (Pontypool SEP Qtr 11A / 165). Annie died at the age of 21 in Kensington, London. She was buried on 28th March 1898 at Goytre parish church. A note was made in the burial register: “Goytre Wharf”. Does this mean that she was living there but died visiting London? I’d be interested to find out more about the circumstances.

Laura Eliza Gwatkin 1878 Goytre, Monmouthshire (Pontypool MAR 14888 Qtr 11A / 158)

Mabel Gwatkin 1882 Goytre, Monmouthshire (Pontypool SEP Qtr 11A / 165)

Kate or Katie Gwatkin 1883 Goytre, Monmouthshire.

Edwin died in March 1916 at Mamhilad, and was buried at Goytre Parish Churchyard on 8th March 1916

His wife, Louisa, died in 1921 at Brook House, Alsager, Staffordshire and was buried at Goytre on 26th Mar 1921.

2. Anne Gwatkin (Christened 28th Apr 1850 at Goytre). Anne married a Glascoed boy, Philip Williams of Beech Farm. See Philip’s entry for more detail.