the author

THOMAS MORGAN

The following is a brief biography of Thomas Morgan, I am currently researching Mr Morgans life and shall update this page as and when I get further information.

Thomas Morgan was born in Tonyrefail in 1815. he was the second son born to Llewelyn Morgan and Cesil Morgan. one of seven children, with three brothers Dafydd, William and Morgan and three sisters, Margaret, Ann and Mari.

Through his early years, Thomas Morgan was raised as a shoe maker and by the age of twenty had become a master with his own highly successful workshops in High Street, Tonyrefail employing a large number of shoemakers. It was in these workshops that Thomas Morgan learned many of the stories which form a large part of the book Hanes Tonyrefail.

Thomas morgan died on February 7th 1890 aged seventy four, some nine years before his works where published as Hanes Tonyrefail. due to inflammation of the lungs brought on by the effects of a having a common cold followed by influenza.

After his death he was buried at Capel Y Ton in High Street, Tonyrefail. He remained there until July 1969 when, as part of a road widening scheme for High Street he and fifty one others where moved to a communal grave at Trane cemetery on Gilfach Road.

during this move only four gravestones where moved to Trane, Thomas Morgans was one of them and can still be seen today.

as you enter Trane turn right and follow the path towards the remembrance gardens. just before the garden the comunal grave is on your left and Thomas Morgans gravestone (in red) is on your right with the three other stones

The inscription on the grave stone reads :

in loving memory of Thomas Morgan, J.P. Y' Vron, Pontypridd for 60 years a resident of Tonyrefail, who died Feb 7th 1890. Aged 74 years. Also Rabecca wife of the above aged 37 who died Feb 21st 1853 and three of their infant children.

Also in loving memory of HUGH BEGG of Dinas Isha Colliery and Y Van, Caerphilly the beloved husband of CATHERINE the daughter of THOMAS MORGAN, J.P. who died October 25th 1891 aged 68 years. Also CATHERINE GEGG the beloved wife of the above who died April 27th 1919, aged 77years

Thomas Morgan’s obituary was published in the Pontypridd chronicle on February 14th 1890 and reads :

It is with deep regret that we announce the death, which took place on Friday, of Mr. Thomas Morgan, J,P., Fron, Pontypridd. The deceased gentleman was a native of Tonyrefail, and an old inhabitant of the district. He for years carried on business in the village named, and some years ago removed to Pontypridd, where he represented an important firm in the provision trade. He was a deacon of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, and highly respected, not only among the members of his own denomination, but among all classes of the community. He for many years represented the parish of Llantrisant on the Board of Guardians, and was some time ago made a justice of the peace for the county. It is stated by those who came into contact with him upon the Magisterial Bench that he made a very useful, practical magistrate, and the friends whom he had represented as a guardian presented him a few weeks ago with a testimonial as a token of their good feeling towards him upon his retirement which necessarily followed upon his elevation to the bench. Mr. Morgan was 75 years of age but until within a few days of his death he looked remarkably hale and hearty, and certainly much younger than he really was. He caught a cold, which followed an attack of influenza, and death was caused by inflammation of the lungs. The funeral takes place on Thursday (to-day) at Tonyrefail.

On February 21st 1890, a week after Thomas Morgan’s funeral a report was published, also in the Pontypridd chronicle which reads :

On Thursday the funeral of Mr Thomas Morgan, j.p. The Vron Pontypridd, took place at the Calvinistic Methodist chapel, Tonyrefail. The deceased was a native of that village, and there most of his industrious life was spent. At one o’clock a large throng of the general public attended at The Vron and its precincts to show a last token of respect of the departed. Mr Deputy Chief constable Mathews, Inspecter Evan Jones, and a body of police officers attended and headed the procession.

Inside the house just before starting. a religious service was held, conducted by the Rev Edmund Davies (Calvinistic Methodist). Among those present where the following ministers :_ the Revs William Lewis, Pontypridd: W.I. Morris, sardis: D.W. Williams, J.P. Fairfield: William James, Aberdare; Lewis Jones, Pentre: Thomas Rees, Cefencoed-y-Cymmer; Thomas Davies, treorky: M.H. Ellis, trealaw; Lewis Lewis, Llwynpia; J.M. Davies, B.A. Dowlais; II.B. James, Caerphilly; Morris Morgan, Swansea; Walter Daniel, Penmare; T.P. Thomas, Gyfeillion: Ebenezer Rees, Bryntirion; Lewis Morgan, Tonyrefail; and Mr M.E. Thomas (Cynwyd) Cardiff. Fellow deacons of the deceased at peuel Pontypridd:- Mr Walter Games, Mr Griffiths Evans, Mr Daniel Griffiths, and Mr Richard Rogers. Elders belonging to the English Methodist at St. David’s, Pontypridd; Mr David Rosser, Mr James Roberts, C.C., Mr Hopkin Smith Davies, Mr Charles Morgan, Treforest; Mr James Richards, deacon at Sharon Chapel; Mr Richard Lewis, C.C., and Mr William Evans, Llwynpia. Mr Cobb, the Bank, Pontypridd. And Mr Tom Johm, the Misses Morgan, the Grove, Pontypridd; Mr Arthur Lewis and Mrs Lewis, Bristol and West of England Bank, Pontypridd. And Mr John Evans, junction Hotel. There was also present representatives of the board of guardiansand the Pontypridd society, of which deceased was one of the founders, and all of whom except Mr James Richards, Treforest, have now passed away. The principal mourners where MrHugh Begg and Mr Begg, the Von, Caerphilly; Mr John Cooke and Mr Cooke, Camden road, London (Mrs Begg and Mrs Cooke are also the departed’s only daughters); Miss Minnie Evans, Miss Bess Evans, and Miss Cooke (nieces of the deceased), Mr Thomas H Evans, cashier National Bank of Wales, (deceased’s only grandsoul), Mrs John (deceased’s sister), and Mrs WM. Morgan and Mr David Morgan (deceased’s brothers). A large number of the general public also attended. The coffin of polished oak and the heavy brass trimmings, had come from Mr WM. Morgans workshop, Tonyrefail. Soon after one o’clock the coffin was placed in the hearse supplied, as where all the mourning coaches, by Mr Walter Powis, Pontypridd, and the melancholy cortege which comprised a large number of carriages, started on the sad journey to Tonyrefail. At Tonyrefail the funeral was met by the villagers, most of whom had known the deceased since their childhood, and by the surrounding farmers. The proceedings at the chapel where introduced by the Rev William Lewis, penuel, Pontypridd. And the Rev Lewis Jones, pentre. The touching addresses on the career of the departed were delivered by the Rev William Jones, Aberdare, and the Rev Thomas Rees, Cefn. After an address had been delivered at the grave and a prayer offered by the Rev Thomas Davies, treorky. The vast multitude sang ‘Byrddmyrdd o ryfeddodau,’’ &c. the multitude then departed.




	Thomas Morgan JP. photograph from the book Hanes Tonyrefail



	The gravestone of Thomas Morgan at Trane cemetery photograph - august 2006



		The obituary of Thomas Morgan published in the Pontypridd chronicle February 14th1890



The funeral report of Thomas Morgan published in the Pontypridd chronicle February 21st 1890