Joseph Nicholas (1821-1900)            <Back to Main Family Tree>       <Back to Ann Nicholas Family Tree>
 

Joseph was born at Pen y Cwarel farm near Ynysddu, Mynyddyslwyn, Monmouthshire, South Wales in March 1821.
The farm was of about 170 acres and at the time was recorded as 'Pen y quarry' farm.
His parents were John and Ann Nicholas and he was the fifth of twelve children.

1841
In the 1841 census Joseph was recorded as an agricultural labourer on his father's farm.
1849
Joseph married Elizabeth Rowlands (also of Mynyddyslwyn) on 12th October 1849 in the Baptist Temple, Newport, Monmouthshire.
He was 28 and she was 21. Joseph was described as a Haulier on the marriage certificate.
1851
Now living with Elizabeth at Cyncoed Farm, Mynyddyslwyn, 61 acres. Their first son John is three months old at the time of the census.
1861
No record of any of the family in the Welsh or English census. Possibly moving to Llanover?
1865
By 1865 Joseph and Elizabeth had moved to Maerdy Farm, Llanover, south of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire. They now had eight children and they baptised them all at Llanover Church. Their children were:
John Nicholas,        b.1851, d.1890 age 39;    Details on separate page
Margaret Nicholas, b.1853                            In 1878 (J/A/S) married David Watkins; 1881 living with David on Lodge farm, Abergavenny, 264 acres in valley north of Abergavenny, Llwyndu (now Parc Lodge Farm), brother John Nicholas staying with them as visitor; 1891 living with David at Lodge Farm+3 servants
Thomas Nicholas,   b.1855, d.1940 age 86;    In 1871 living with parents;  1881 Grocer's assistant in 'Daniel's Shop', Crane Street, Trevethin, Pontypool; burried at Cefn Hengoed Chapel, stone inscription: "In loving memory of Thomas Nicholas, Glenroy, Blackwood beloved son of Joeseph and Eliza Nicholas, Mardy farm Llanover)
Edward Nicholas,    b.1857                           Living on Maerdy farm through to the 1901 census
Adam Nicholas,       b.1858, d.1900 age 42;   1891 Living on Maerdy farm
Annie Nicholas,       b.1860, d.1897 age 37;   My ancestor, Details on separate page
Louisa Nicholas,       b.1862, d.1870 age 8;
Edmund Nicholas,   b.1865                           Married Mary Ann; 1891 witness at sister Annie's wedding; Inherited Maerdy Farm after 1891; Mentioned in Kelly's Directory 1901, owning Maerdy Farm; Lost 3 infant children 1900-1912 (Alice May, Thomas Edward, Frederick Oliver); 17/12/1918 lost son Joseph Leonard (Cadet, RAF, no.177637) (born 1899)

Two further children were born to Joseph and Elizabeth:
Rees Nicholas,        b.1866, d.1861 age 1
Louisa Nicholas,     b.1871, d.1892 age 21     Witness at sister Annie's wedding in May 1891

1871-1891
Living at Maerdy Farm, Llanover, 170 acres
1900
Joseph died in the early months of 1900 at the age of 79 (possibly after hearing that his eldest son had just died in America)
Joseph was survived by Elizabeth who died four years later on 6th Oct 1894.