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From: bj <>
Subject: Re: Iron works in Ebbw Vale 1870s - any local historians??
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:33:12 +0000
References: <000701c52640$347d3370$6f838b90@Morris>
In-Reply-To: <000701c52640$347d3370$6f838b90@Morris>

Hello Roger and Jodie,

The railway from Hereford to the South Wales Valleys was open from early
1860's, so travel between Eardisland and Ebbw Vale was comparatively
simple.

The money was better in the mines and Ironworks than farming and it was
warmer underground and in the Ironworks;) Security and money.... what
more would families want. His job as furnace manager give him a fair
wage. In 1875 there was a lockout so maybe it made workers think about
their security!

The works was probably Victoria Iron Works or possibly Beaufort IW, a
mile or so away.

The only employment records available are from 1920's and are currently
held at Ebbw Vale Steelworks museum at Newtown, Ebbw Vale unfortunately!

All coal mining fed the Ironworks in those days.

It is unfortunate that John Morris came to the area during mid 1870's
and emigrated in 1878. Did he marry in Ebbw Vale? His children may have
been baptised in the local Churches, Christchurch in Ebbw Vale, St
John's in Newtown, Aberystruth.

Books available on Ebbw Vale:-

A History of Ebbw Vale by Arthur Gray-Jones ISBN 1 897015 00 4

Ebbw Vale, the works 1790-2002. Don't think this one is in print but if
you can get your hands on one it is an excellent source of information.
The book was 12 GB pounds sterling. It cost 9 pounds to post off to a
cousin in U.S.A. Still, great value!

best regards

Barrie Jones, Gwent

In message Roger & Jodie Morris <> writes:-

>My greatgrandfather JOHN MORRIS (b. 1852, Eardisland, Herefordshire) moved
>to Ebbw Vale in the Bedwellty district in the mid 1870s and worked as a
>labourer in the area, and later a furnace keeper, presumably in an iron
>smelting works.
>
>Can anyone with local historical knowledge tell me more about mining and
>iron smelting during the 1870s in this region? What attracted Englishmen
>like JOHN to move off his family's Leon Valley farm and into this kind of
>work?
>
>I don't know the name of iron works where he worked - near Ebbw Vale I
>expect - any ideas? Would there be any employment records available? I am
>interested to find out more about this part of his life (from about
>1874-1878). Can anyone suggest where I can go looking for this kind of
>information (if it even exists)? Does the Gwent RO hold old employment
>records? So many questions !!
>
>He met and married a young Welsh lass called MARTHA PAYNE (b.1856 in
>Beaufort, Breconshire) who was the daughter of a blast furnace keeper in
>Ebbw Vale. She was working as a labourer in the 1871 Census. What kind of
>work would a 15 yr old Welsh girl be labouring at in Ebbw Vale?
>
>The had a couple of kids and then emigrated to Queensland, Australia in
>1878.
>
>Any background info about this region during this period would be
>interesting and useful. Thanks.

This thread:

• Iron works in Ebbw Vale 1870s - any local historians?? by "Roger & Jodie Morris" <>

  • Re: Iron works in Ebbw Vale 1870s - any local historians?? by bj <>