Trade

Mr Joseph Simons. Mr Joseph Simons was born in 1864 at Galicia, Vienna, Austria. The family first came to Brynmawr in about 1881. In 1885 Mr Joseph Simons moved to Abertillery and married Miss Prescilla Lyons of Newport, Monmouthshire and opened a furniture business at Abertillery. On the various census records it stated that Mrs Prescilla Simons nee Lyons was …

Mr Tom Evans – Jeweller. Mr Frederick Thomas Evans known as Tom Evans, was born in 1887 at Abertillery, the son of Francis and Elizabeth Evans proprietors of the Royal Oak Inn, Abertillery. The Jewel Box. In 1907 Mr Tom Evans opened a jewellery shop at 37 Church Street, Abertillery (as seen to the left in the main featured image …

Mr G. H. Handy – Tobacconist and Newsagent. In 1900 Mr G. H. Handy opened a tobacconist, newsagents and fancy dealer shop at 25 & 26 Church Street Abertillery, opposite where Pritchard’s Chemist is today. The early advertisements showed they were also stationers. Mr George H. Handy was a coal miner and Mrs Mary Ann Handy was the shop proprietor. …

Harmston Music Store. The Harmston Music Warehouse Company was established at No1 Nicholas Street, Pontypool in 1887 by Mr Albert Edward Harmston of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. The company specialised in pianos and organs. In about 1890 the music store was taken over by Mr J. J. Harmston of Penygarn, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, the younger brother of Mr A. E. Harmston and …

Oak Street Cottages – Abertillery. The main image (featured above) taken sometime between 1905 and 1920 shows the Station Hotel, rebuilt in 1902 by Mr Noel Bagley, contractor of Oak Street, Abertillery and the 3 attached cottages which at the time this image was taken belonged to Mr D. W. Morgan, the South Wales Argus Offices of Newport and Messrs …

Mr William Adams – Grocer. Mr William Adams (as seen in the main featured image above) was a native of Abertillery, born in 1870, son of Mr George Adams a coal miner from Blaina and Mrs Cecelia Adams of Llanhilleth. The family lived at the Co-operative Stores Building, Church Street, Abertillery. In 1880 Mr George Adams died at the age …

Mr Harry Evans – Fruiterer, Poulterer & Grocer Abertillery. The business began in the mid 1880’s when Mr James Mundy and his wife Martha and family were living at Abertillery. They set up a fishmonger & grocery business at 10 Commercial Street, Abertillery, opposite what would become the Arcade. James and Martha married in 1886 at the Congregational Chapel at …

Mr Titus Phillips. Mr Titus Phillips was born in 1836 at Rudbaxton, Pembrokeshire, the son of Mr Thomas Phillips, the family lived on the estate of the father of Judge Owen at Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire. At a young age moved to Cwmtillery and worked at the colliery company’s shop under Mr Treharne Rees. Mr Titus Phillips First Marriage and Family. Mr …

The Western Valleys Brewery Company, Crumlin. The Western Valleys Brewery Company, Crumlin was established in November 1891. The company was formed to acquire a portion of the buildings of the old Crumlin Viaduct Works and to carry on a business of a brewery and also those of a maltster, innkeepers, licensed victuallers, wine and spirit merchants. The premises intended to …

Mr H. Connop & Son Stores – Brynmawr. During the 1870’s Mr Henry Connop Snr was at Brynmawr with his wife Ann Connop nee Pickard. The store, Messrs H. Connop & Son was situated at 54 Beaufort Street, Brynmawr (can be seen far left in the featured image above) Mr Henry Connop Snr. Mr Henry Connop Snr was born in 1818 …