ARGUMENT FOR SUGGESTING THE BIRTHPLACE OF HOPKIN THOMAS, AND THE HOMESTEAD WAS LOCATED IN THE PARISH OF DYFFRYN CLYDACH

Conjectures based on Research performed by Alan Hayward, Neath Antiquarian Society ,circa 1990

(Mr. Hayward stresses that that these findings are based upon the records of several families living within the parishes of Bryn Coch and Cadoxton-juxta-Neath, in the County of Glamorgan, at about that time.)

The proximity of his home being near to Neath Abbey Ironworks and within reasonable horseback riding distance of it was essential, otherwise he would probably have sought employment elsewhere.

Consider the alternatives in a six-mile radius of Neath Abbey.

(1) If he had been living at a Skewen farm, (1 or 2 miles distant) he would probably have been engaged in one of the adjacent copper works,

(2) If he had been living at a Neath farm, more than likely he would have entered one of the Mackworth enterprises at Melincryddan.

(3) If living at an Upper Neath Valley farms (say 3‑4 miles away) he could have found work in the rolling mill and tinplate works of the Llewellyns at Ynisgerwn, 1 mile N.E. of Aberdulais, or at the Aberdulais Forge of the Miers family. A further possibility in the Neath area was the building of the Tennant Canal, completed 1824.

(4) If he had been raised in the Birchgrove‑Glais area, (4‑6 miles distant) he would probably have been engaged at the Ynyspenllwch Works at Clydach, or alternatively at Richard Parson’s Forge Fach and Forge Fawr Works on the Lower Clydach river. Again there were numerous collieries in all these areas.

(5) If the initial home had been located at Pontardawes then more than likely he would have worked at Richard Parsons Ynecedwyn, Ironworks.

(6) If he had lived at Briton Ferry about 6 miles from Neath Abbey the, attraction would have been the Cwmavon enterprises.

For all these negative reasons, the positive probability points to the immediate district north of the Abbey Ironworks, in the Dyffryn Trough, (or Valley) lying between Neath Abbey and Pontardawe. At that time the Lords of the Abbey, Baron Dynevor, and the Stanley family together with the Williams of Duffryn Estate owned most of this tract of land.

Further supportive evidence is gained from examination of Dynevor property leases as can be viewed in the West Glamorgan County Hall Archeological Dept. However it is quite extraordinary the numbers of people that bore and still do bear the name of “Thomas” within this small valley. One other problem of course, was the time period in question, it being pre-census time, that is before 1841.

The fact that Hopkin Thomas married Catharine Richards at Merthyr Tydfil is not surprising. As a master mechanic he probably would have traveled widely on business for the Neath Abbey ironworks. The Company had dealings with most of the Dowlais Ironmasters, so that it would be quite easy for him to have met Catharine on one of these visits, in fact he might have lived at Merthyr Tydfil before marriage.

Dowlais works bought eight locomotives from Neath Abbey between 1831 and 1840, and he may, amongst other things have been connected with their placing in running order of some of them before emigrating in 1834. This association with the building of early locomotives may have led to his employment with the emerging railroad and locomotive manufacturers in Pennsylvania, America.

William R. Thomas, the first born of the marriage (May 30th 1829), suggests that the marriage took place around 1827/8 - when Hopkin Thomas was 35 years old. This seems late when one considers many men married early in life, (contrast David Thomas Sr. marrying at age 17). The fact that William R. Thomas was born in Merthyr Tydfil supports the theory that Hopkin Thomas has been living there for some time.

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