Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Mr Lewis Reynold Rogers of Rogers Buildings, Abertillery 1857-1894.
Mr L. R. Rogers was a tradesman and proprietor of the Abertillery Tea Exchange. Mr Rogers descended from the old, respected family of that name and was the son of Mr William Rogers, the engineer to the Cwmnant-y-Groes Colliery Company.
At an early age he was apprenticed to Mr George Hiley at Abertillery and upon completion of his term he went to Newport where for several years he was in the employ of Mr T. Cordey.
In 1881 Mr Rogers came back to Abertillery and purchased the grocery business from Mr James Protheroe and set up in the trade on his own account.
In 1885 Mr Rogers became a member of the Abertillery Market and Public Hall Co Ltd. The company was registered on the 19th January 1885. The other subscribers were – Mr W. Morgan, Abertillery Grocer; Mr W. P. Thomas, Abertillery (Accountant); Mr W. M. Price, Abertillery; Mr J. Samuel, Abertillery (Accountant); Mr F. Morgan, Pontypool Merchant; Mr H. P. Fikitel? Newport Builder:
He was the founder of the Abertillery Chamber of Trade in the 1880’s and became the chairman in 1889. Other Members included – Mr Jas Samuel; Mr Lewis Morgan; Mr George Gregory; Mr Jas Gregory; Mr W. P. Thomas; Mr J. E. Phillips; Mr William Jordan; Mr John W. Williams; Mr D. W. Emanuel; Mr Moses Thomas; Mr Henry Cole; Mr Jas Monday; Mr Richard Stanfield; Mr E. Price and Mr J. T. Baker:
In December 1891 a new Abertillery Market Hall, Land and Building Company Limited was initiated, the company was registered with their offices at 54 Cwm Street, Abertillery. Mr Rogers was one of the members of the company. Other members were – Mr J. R. Webb; Mr J. E. Webb; Mr Jas Yendoll and Mr Jas Samuel Directors: Mr J. A. Shepard (Solicitor); Mr J. T Baker (Secretary); Mr W. B. Harrison, Abertillery and Mr Theodore Vachell, Newport a large share-holder.
Rogers Buildings.
In 1892 Mr Rogers expanded his business and proceeded with the construction of new premises on Commercial Street and Cwm Street, Abertillery, opposite the Somerset Hotel. It was a large block containing smaller shops and living quarters (the whole building was from the Medical Hall up to the Commercial Hotel, the block was later part occupied by the Glasgow Club) . The block was called “Rogers Buildings” and through his determination and ability he made his business one of the largest in the retail trade in the Western Valley’s. I believe it was a sort of “In-Shops” of its day,
In the 1890’s Mr S. C. Holman the tobacconist had a shop in the Rogers Buildings as well has his own in Somerset Street and I have also seen a few other shops advertised as being in there.
The buildings (as seen right on the main featured image above) were a rival to the old Bon March and Pontlottyn stores.
In 1890’s Mr L. R. Rogers became the president of the local Liberal and Labour Association.
In July 1892 Mr Rogers was chairman of the Abertillery Local Board. Other members included – Mr Daniel Lewis; Mr Joseph Wallace; Mr William Jordan; Mr John Handy Jnr; Mr Alex Shepard and Mr James McBean the surveyor:
The Death of Mr L. R. Rogers.
On Friday 27th of April 1894, Mr Lewis Reynold Rogers sadly passed away at 37 years of age. He left a widow, two sons and two daughters. A few days previously he had been inspecting the site of the proposed Cwmtillery Reservoir for the council and was taken ill, he took to his bed and never recovered.
His funeral took place on Wednesday 2nd of May 1894, at the Ponthir Burial Ground. His remains were conveyed by a special train that left Blaina at 2.30pm calling at Abertillery, Aberbeeg, Abercarn and Newport.
Mr Edgar Smith.
In 1916 Mr Edgar Smith took over a business at Rogers Buildings (as seen on the advertisement left).
The Later Years.
The old Rogers buildings block has been occupied by many traders over the years. In the 1980’s a launderette was trading from there, amongst others were a doctors surgery, a betting office, the Glasgow club, a charity shop, hairdressers and a jewellers, to name just a few.