The Hamer Family - My paternal side
This research and journey was at times frustrating and very hard to start however, occasionally a project takes on a life of its own. I did not know very much about my Hamer family apart from my
My direct Line
1. Thomas Hamer c1780
2. David Hamer c1811 - 11/01/1848
3. David Hamer 31/03/1848 - 18/11/1920
4. William Hamer 15/02/1870 - 18/11/1960
5. Margaret Ann Hamer 06/11/1899 my grandmother
The name Hamer originally came from Lancashire but it appears that Hamer's have lived in
Thomas Hamer c1775/6 - my Gt, Gt, Gt, Gt grandfather is listed on the 1841 census. Occupation then a Farmer address given as Hall in the Parish or Township of Llandinam aged 60. He is living with his wife Ursula aged 50 born about 1791 and at that time they had six children living at home.
1841 census for Wales
John c1816 aged 25
Sarah c1819 aged 22
Susannah c1821 aged 20
Richard c1826 aged 15
Ursula c1827 aged 14
James c1830 aged 11
Living with them were three Agricultural Labourers and one Female Servant. The farm had 190 acres. Source: HO 107/1436/2
TIMELINE 1841
Robert Peel became Prime Minister
Thomas Cook organized the first railway tour from Leicester to Loughborough.
TIMELINE 1849
British American Engineer James Bicheno Francis invented the Francis Turbine a type of water turbine.
Walter Hunt invented the Safety Pin
9th December 1849 the first Sunday school opened Source LDS
1851 census for Wales
On the 1851 census Thomas then aged 74 and estimated date of birth then 1777 this information is very different to the 1841 census. His occupation on this census a Farmer of 190 acres at Llandinam Hall. Ursula is aged 65 and they have three of their children living at home and their granddaughter Sarah.
Sarah aged 31
Ursula aged 25
James aged 20
Sarah aged 9 a scholar and their granddaughter. Source: HO107/2496.
Thomas died on the 23rd May 1858 aged 82 and shares his grave with his wife Ursula who died 2nd September 1859 aged 74.
DAVID HAMER
I now know that David was the eldest son of Thomas and Ursula. He was born about 1811 possibly brought up in Trefeglwys. David worked as a Miller living at Talgarth Mill Trefeglwys. On the 17th November 1840, David married Hannah Evans of Bryndderwen, Trefeglwys by Licence. David aged 28, when he married and Hannah aged 25, witnesses were William Evans and Giles Mills. At this time I do not know if William Evans was Hannah's brother or father. The Evans's of Bryndderwen will be covered on their own page.
The first record I had of any children being born was in 1845 when their daughter Ann was born. It seemed to me inconceivable that they did not have any children between 1840 and 1845. I since discovered that David and Hannah had a daughter Sarah born c1842 and on the 1851 census, Sarah was living with Thomas and Ursula Hamer. Both David and Hannah appear on the 1841 census at Talgarth Mill with no family. Source: HO 107/1436/10.
In 1847, their third daughter Hannah was born and on the 31st March 1848, their son David was born, as far as I am aware all four children were born at Talgarth Mill. David's birth certificate shows that he was. Questions rose from the information I have. Why did Sarah live with Thomas and Ursula Hamer her paternal grandparents? Why did Ann, Hannah and David stay with their maternal grandparents after their mother died?
David and Hannah had a tragic life. On the 11th January 1848, David died of Typhus Fever at the age of 36, at Talgarth Mill. His death registered by John Ashton who was present at the death at Talgarth Mill. This was 11 weeks before his son David was born. There is a discrepancy between the date of death on David's death certificate and that of the Memorial Inscription. The death certificate shows he died on the 11th January, 1848 and the Memorial Inscription shows David's death as the 8th of January, 1848.
TIMELINE - Public Health Act 1948 introduced whereby the election of local Public Health Boards would oversee the supply of water, sewerage, drainage, cleansing and paving. This extended to all landowners and ratepayers at that time. Board members had to live within a seven-mile radius. The Public Health Act ruled that every new house had to have a 'water closet, privy or ash pit'. This Act was brought in due to a Cholera epidemic how many other deaths did it prevent?
Hannah died on the 9th February, 1849 at Bryndderwen, aged 33. The reason for her death was 'declined' and not certified. Her death registered by William Evans and at the time of her death she had gone back home to her parents with her children. Again, there is a discrepancy between the death certificate and the Memorial Inscription; on the death certificate, her age shown as 33 while the MI shows her age as 35. The romantic in me would like to think that she died of a broken heart. None of us can imagine what it was like to lose her husband, when she had two little girls and a baby due. The last twelve months of her life must have been filled with despair and heartache.
On the 12th February, 1850 tragedy struck again for the Hamer/Evans family when 3 year old Hannah died. All three of them are buried in a family grave at St Michaels Parish Church, Trefeglwys. Also buried with them is Margaret Evans who died 27th August 1792, aged four. Margaret was the daughter of David and Sarah Evans of Redhouse Trefeglwys and Ursula's sister. Memorial Inscriptions (MR/MI/60) published by Montgomeryshire Genealogical Society.
Note - The Ashton's, Meddins and Mills where well known families in the Trefeglwys area.
Ann and David were brought up by their grandparents, William and Hannah Evans at Bryndderwen. Both appear on the 1851, 1861 census as living with their grandparents at Bryndderwen . So my Gt Gt Grandfather David never met his father because he died before he was born, his mother died when he was 11 months old and sister Hannah died when he was 2. For someone who had such a tragic start in life David Hamer as we will see went onto become a very successful man.
David married Sarah Evans of Oerle on the 18th March, 1871 they married at The
This notice appeared in the Montgomery Express 21st March 1871, page 5, column 5 BMD section.
Marriages
18th inst., at Trefeglwys Church, by the Rev. R. Jones, vicar, Mr. David Hamer, of Brynderwin, to Sarah Evans, daughter of the late Mr. Evans, Oerle, Trefeglwys.
Note how Bryndderwen is spelt with one 'd' and an 'i'. Thank you to Margaret of Powys.gov.uk for researching and sending me a copy of the above notice.
The 1871 Census for
What the 1871 census does not show is that David and Sarah had another daughter her name was Hannah Urcilla born mid to later September and died aged 7 weeks on 11th November 1871. Hannah is buried at the
The 1881 Census for Wales lists David as the 'Head' of Oerle (M) (33) his wife Sarah (32) and the following children; William H Evans - Son (11), Margaret Hamer - Daughter (8), David R (Roger) Hamer - Son (7), Hannah Hamer - Daughter (3), Thomas Hamer -Son (2), Sarah Hamer (11 months) and two farm servants John Evans (59) and Griffith Davies (14). William had also had his name at that time transcribed as William H. Evans Hamer. At this time David and Sarah's family was growing quickly with seven children. David's occupation then, Farmer of 70 acres. Source: RGH/5482.
The 1891 Census for
In 1889, Sarah had another baby Henry Maldwyn born early September 1889. Henry died aged 6 weeks on 18th October 1889. There was more heartache for David and Sarah when their son John died at the age of 10 on the 17th March 1892. Both Henry and John are buried together at the
DAVID AND SARAH HAMER (nee EVANS)
The above photograph of David and Sarah was probably taken early 1900's, my thanks to Megan for sending me this photograph.
The 1901 census lists David, aged 53, occupation then Farmer, and his wife Sarah, aged 51 and five of their children Sarah, Maggie, Evan, Annie, Richard and Mary living at Rhosyrhaidd, Carno. Source: RG 13/5194. Oerle had been given to David, Thomas, Sarah and Elizabeth to run. My understanding from another member of the Hamer family is that this was a management role.
David and Sarah moved to Ty Mawr about 1915 then they moved to Moat Farm Llandinam. I believe that David was a J.P. and that he was very much involved with his local church. On the 18th November 1920, David died, aged 72 and is buried in
The slate Headstone reads: In loving Memory of David Hamer, the Moat Llandinam, who died November Nov 18th 1920, Aged 72 Years. "A voice we loved is still." Also, Sarah, his wife, who died May 14th, 1927, aged 77 years. "I know that my redeemer liveth." Source: MR/MI/40 Montgomeryshire Genealogical Society.
See right hand column for David Hamer obituary. The Board of Guardians relate to the Workhouses in Caersws,
Probate for David's will granted to his wife Sarah and his son Thomas on 4th January 1921 both living at The Moat. The only person not mentioned in David's Will was his son Evan and I understand Evan had been provided for during David’s lifetime when he helped him financially to buy a farm.
WILLIAM AND SARAH HAMER
William Hamer was born on the 15th February 1870 at Oerley (Oerle), Trefeglwys. There was no father registered on his birth certificate although we do know that David Hamer was his father. His mother Sarah Evans registered his birth on the 19th March 1870. William's mother and father married on the 18th March, 1871.
The 1891 census list William as a "Farm boy" and as single. That particular page is all in Welsh and Welsh is given as the language spoken.
William Hamer married Sarah Jones on the 13th November 1896, at the Peniel C.M. Chapel, Carno by the
By the 1901 census, William and Sarah had moved to Oswestry in
William and Sarah had eight children together four daughters and four sons. I have already mentioned Sarah and Margaret and believe the family knew these two as Edith and Maggie. Agnes Mary was born Qtr 2 1902, Gladys Hannah, September 1903, William Franklyn, Qtr 2 1906, David Meredith December 1908, Richard Maldwyn born 28th January 1912 and John Charles 1914.
William and Sarah celebrated their Golden Wedding on the 13th November, 1946 a short announcement appeared on the 13th November in the Border Counties Advertizer. On the 20th November 1946, an article and photograph appeared in the Advertizer giving details of their parents, date and place of their marriage. The article gave brief details of William's occupation and hobbies, listed all their children, and stated that they had twelve grandchildren. My dad being one of those grandchildren. The photograph that appeared in the paper is shown below.
William was well known as a cattle and sheep dealer at Oswestry and Welshpool markets. During WW1 from 1914 - 1918 he became a special constable at Oswestry. He was an active member of
Sarah was involved with activities at Seion Welsh Presbyterian Church of which she was a member up until the time of her death. She was also a member of Oswestry Welsh Society and identified herself with the Temperance movement and missionary work for the church.
William and Sarah's children
Sarah Edith Hamer born 1897 at Trefeglwys and married John Ogwen Reese known as Ogwen in 1924. From the article dated 20th November 1946 in the Advertizer Sarah and John where living at Ty Harmon, Carno. My family called her Edith but on her gravestone, she was listed as Sarah. John died on the 14th February 1987 at 1 Trem-y-noddfa Carno aged 92. Sarah died on the 27th November 1991 aged 94 on her gravestone she was described as late of 1 Trem-y-noddfa but did not die there. Both Sarah and John are buried in the same grave at
At this time I am aware that they had three daughters, one son and their is at least one living grandson.
I have just been sent the most delightful email by Sarah's grandson, Richard it is so informative that I am enclosing the details here;
"As promised, here are some details about my Grandmother - Sarah Edith. I was brought up by my grandparents and we lived at Ty Hamon in Cwm Cledan (the
It was a very hard life for her as it was subsistence farming and from Monday to Friday, she had to look after everything during the day whilst my grandfather worked as a shop salesman at D R Davies (ironmongers and farm implements) in
Before moving to Ty Hamon (the house of Hamon) they had lived higher up the valley at Blaen y Cwm (Head of the Valley), a grimmer old farmhouse up on the Carno Moors, where they had brought up their four daughters and a son.
Sarah E was a devout chapelgoer at the Peniel Methodist Chapel (Capel y Bont - Chapel on the Bridge) in the village, and sincerely believed she would go straight to heaven when she died. As self sufficient as possible, she preserved homegrown fruit and vegetables and wasted nothing, (sheep’s wool scraps rescued from thorn bushes would be pushed into the toes of our shoes to keep shape, and socks would be darned until the original heel no longer existed). Not an eccentricity - an essential procedure as money was scarce for us in those days.
In 1960, we moved down to the village to a two bedroom council bungalow where life improved for her. In a few years, she and John Ogwen were pensioners and I left home in 1965. They both remained quite active, taking part in the local Senior Citizens Club and going on countless bus excursions. She deservedly enjoyed the last years of her life until J.O. died. Sarah stayed at Trem-y-noddfa for about a year and then moved to live with one of her daughters in Shrewsbury.
Sarah was looking forward to the company of her sister Gladys who was living in
Margaret Ann Hamer known as Maggie and my grandmother was born 6th November 1899 at 17 Victoria Road, Oswestry. Details of Maggie you will find under the Harris Family. Source: BMD Vol 6a, page 681
Agnes Mary Hamer born 1902 at Oswestry and married Herbert Beddow known as Bert in Qtr 4 1924. Herbert was born about 1902. From the article in the Advertizer dated 20th November 1946 to celebrate her mum and dad's Golden Wedding Agnes and Bert where living at Oakfield Montgomery. Source: BMD Vol 6a
Gladys Hannah Hamer was born 1903 and never married. For many years she was Manageress at Woolworths. She was my sister's godmother. I remember Gladys as being full of fun and for several years when I was a child she held New Years parties for all her nieces and nephews at 51 Roft Street. As far as I can remember she had a large farmhouse cellar like kitchen. There would be lots of food and lots of party games like musical chairs and blind mans buff. Although most of us children have lost touch now and moved on and away at the time too me it gave a great sense of family and belonging. Gladys and her brother David lived at Roft Street probably until he died. They also looked after William and Sarah until their deaths. As far as I am aware Gladys moved into a smaller place at this time I do not have the details. Source: BMD Vol 6a, page 700
AUNTIE GLADYS'S NEW YEARS PARTIES
I have recently been given copies of three wonderful photographs that show me and my cousins at the New years Parties. Although a little grainy they clearly show us as children being brought together once a year as family. The first one shows on the right hand side sitting on the settle from left to right Susan, Elizabeth, me, Steven, Judith and on the chair in the front of the photograph my sister. Sadly I do not know who the four children at the back are.
This photograph shows unnamed little boy, Susan, Elizabeth, me opening the present, Christine and Julie.
This last photograph shows Auntie Gladys unfortunately we can not see her face with Barry sitting directly underneath her. The other lady looks very much like my Nan but it could be one of her sisters. It is very hard to tell. The little girl front left is Judith. Unfortunately I don't have the names of the others so any help would be greatly appreciated.
My thanks to Christine who I met again for the first time in about 40 plus years for sending me these lovely photographs.
As a matter of interest the 'Settle' that us girls are sitting on is still in the family and is owned by Christine.
William Franklyn Hamer born 1906 Qtr: Apr/May/Jun Source: BMD Vol 6a, page 688. No further details.
David Meredith Hamer born December 1908. Source: BMD Vol 6a, page 588. (Details to follow)
Richard Maldwyn Hamer born 28th January 1912 known as Dick. Died July 1997 aged 85. Source: BMD Vol 6a, page 1176 and register no: 32, entry no: 174. (No further details)
Have a look at www.trefeglwys.org.uk/people this is a community based site and they contacted me through Genes Reunited, at that time, I knew very little about my Hamer family. Thank you to Alison for contacting me. This opened up three new lines to families I didn't know existed. So if you have links to Trefeglwys, Llandinam, Llanidloes and surrounding areas take a look. The site is free, however, you will need to register.
Page updated 1st July 2008
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