David Walters

                                                             David Walters

                                                                        David Walters

Welsh in Minnesota

http://kimkat.org/amryw/1_glasbridd/minnesota_14_bywgraffiadau_05_rees_woods_0869e.htm

Walters, David    Born in Jackson county, Ohio, in 1848. Son of John and Ursula Walters, late of Cambria, Minnesota removed with his parents to Cambria in 1856. Was a member of Butternut Valley guards during the Indian outbreak of 1862. In November, 1863, enlisted in Company E, Second Minnesota Cavelry (sic). He married Miss Mary, daughter of Hugh R. Williams, in October 1872. She died in May, 1873. On June 17, 1874, he married Miss Mary Evans, who died July 28, 1889. He married Mrs. Mary Williams, his present wife, in 1890. They own, and reside on the old Walters homestead.

Records for David Walters

Census
1850

1857 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Township 119
John Walters, age 51, born in Wales, farmer
Ursula Waters, age 52, female, born in Wales
John Waters, age 28, male, born in Wales, farmer
Thomas Waters, age 16, male, born in Ohio
Stephen Waters, age 18, male, born in Ohio
David Water, age ll, male, born in Ohio
Ann Water,age 7, female, born in Ohio

1860 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley P 83/185
John Walters,male, age 53, male, married, farmer, worth $100. born in Wales
Ursula Walters, age 55, born in Wales
Thomas Walters, age 19, born in Ohio
Steven Walters, age 15, born in Ohio
David Walters, age 13, born in Ohio
Ann Walters, age 9, born in Ohio

Military
1862 Indian Uprising  Butternut Valley Guards
1863 Co E 2nd Minnesota Cavalry

1870 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth, Cambria  P 3
John Walters, male, age 62, farmer, worth $6400, personal worth $2171,born in Wales
Lucilla [Ursula]Walters, female, age 65, white, keeping house, born in Wales
John J. Walters, age 37, male, white, at home, born in Wales
Stephen Walters, age 24, male, white, at home, born in Ohio
David Walters, age 22, male, white, at home, born in Ohio
John Walters, age 8, male, white, born in Ohio
Mary Walters, age 5, female, white, born in Ohio
Lucilla Walters, age 3, female, white, born in Minnesota
Anna Walters, age 18, female, white, at home, born in Ohio

1875 Minnesota State Census, 1849-1905 1875 Blue Earth, Cambria P 5
John Walters, age 67, male, white, born in Wales, parents in Wales
David Walters, age 27, male, white, born in Ohio, parents born in Wales
Mary Walters, age 19, female, white, born in York, parents born in Wales
David Walters, age 2, male, white, born in Minnesota, parents born in Wales

1880 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Cambria, P 16
David Walters, white, male, married, age 30, farmer, born in Ohio, parents born in Wales
Mary Walters, white, female, married, age 23, wife, born in NY, parents born in Wales
David Walter, white, male, age 7, son, born in Minnesota, father in Ohio, mother in NY
Evan T. Walters, white, male, age 8, son, born in Minnesota, father in Ohio, mother in NY
John C. Walters, white, male, age 2, son, born in Minnesota, father in Ohio, mother in NY
Edith M. Walters, white, female, age  1/2 years, born in Nov, daughter, born in Minnesota, father born in Ohio, mother in NY
Ursula Walters, white female, age 13, niece, servant, born in Minnesota, father in Ohio, mother in Ohio


1900

1910

Death :                            Obituary Mankato Free Press 1 Apr 1911 1, 2

  David Walters, a well-known resident of Lake Crystal, died in Lake Crystal during the forenoon.  He had been troubled a number of years with asthma.  He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1848.  He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Walters, late of Cambria.  He was a member of the Butternut Valley guards during the out-break in 1862.  In 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Second MN cavalry.  He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary, daughter of Hugh R. Williams.  She died in May, 1873 and on June 17,1874, he married Miss Mary Evans, who died July 28, 1889.  He married Mrs. Mary Williams, his present wife, in 1890.

Mary Williams Walters

 Mary Williams Walters

Mary Williams, daughter of Hugh Richard and Margaret Williams, was born in Delafield, Waukesha, Wisconsin sometime between 1853-1854.  In 1855, she moved with her parents to Blue Earth County, Minnesota.  As a young woman, she worked in the home of  David P. Davis family as a domestic servant. In the census records, the Williams' family lived next to the John and Ursula Walters family.  She later married their son, David Walters in Mankato, Blue Earth, Minnesota, on the first of October 1872. She died the following year in Cambria, Blue Earth, Minnesota,  on May 8, 1873 at the age of 19 years leaving only her husband to survive her.  Mary was buried in Cambria.

Records on Mary Williams Walters

Census
1855 Wisconsin State Census, Waukesha, Delafield  FHL 1,032,689
Hugh Williams is listed with two males  (Hugh and Richard)
Three females (Margaret, Catherine and Mary) two were foreign born [Hugh & Margaret] children all born in the US

1857 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Township 119 P
Hugh Williams
Margaret Williams
Catherine Williams, age 5, female, born in Wisconsin
Mary Williams, age 4, female, born in Wisconsin
Richard Williams, age 4, male, born in Wisconsin
Wm. Williams, age 3/12, male, born in Minnesota

1860 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Butternut Valley P184
Hugh Williams, age 38, married, farmer, born in Wales, worth $ 250,
Margaret Williams, age 35, married, born in Wales
Catherine Williams, age 8, born in Wisconsin
Mary Williams, age 5, born in Wisconsin
Richard Williams, age 4, born in Wisconsin
William Williams, age 3, born in Minnesota
Elizabeth Williams, age 1, born in Minnesota

1865 Minnesota, Blue Earth,

1870 US Federal Census, Minnesota  Blue Earth,  South Bend
David P. Davis, age 59, male, white, Retail Dry Goods, worth $5000, real estate, $4000 personal wealth, born in Wales, parents foreign born
Jane Davis, age 62, female, white, keeping house, born in Wales, parents foreign born
David Davis, age 28, male, white, Ret. Dry Goods, worth $4000 real estate, $1000 personal wealth, born in Ohio, parents foreign born
Evan Davis, age 12, male, white, at home, born in Ohio, parents foreign born
Mary Williams, age 17, female, white, domestic servant, born in Wisconsin, parents foreign born  

Marriage
David Walters and Mary Williams were married in Mankato, Blue Earth, Minnesota, United States on 1 Oct 1872.

Death/Burial
Mary Walters, died 8 May 1873, age 19 years, born in Wisconsin to Minnesota in 1855.  Hugh Williams of Wales was the father and Margaret Williams of Wales the mother.  She is buried in Cambria.

Richard William's and Catherine Jones

 This could be the record of the marriage of Richard Williams and Catherine Jones the parents of Hugh Williams.

 Marriage License

On the 10 day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen on which Day appeared personally Richard Williams of Plas in the Parish of Llanfihangel ......in the County of Anglesey, bachelor.  and being sworn on the Holy Evangelish alledged and made oath as follows, That he is of the age of twenty five years and upwards, and a bachelor and intends to marry Catharine Jones of Amlwch in the Parish of Amlwch in the said County--aged thirty three years and a singlewoman
not knowing or believing any lawful Let or Impediment, by reason of an Praecontract entered into before the twenty-fifth Day of March, One thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-four, Consanguinity, Affinity, or any other Case whatsoever, to hinder the said intended marriage in the Parish church of Almwch aforesaid.  In which Parish aforesaid He the said Richard Williams, further made Oath, that the said Catherine Jones hath had her usual abode for the space of Four Weeks last past.

The same Day the said                                       The mark of
Richard Williams                                                       X
Hwynne Jones
Surrogate                                                       Richard Williams

FHL 0242,849

Marriage Record

MARRIAGES solemnized in the Parish of Amlwich, in the County of Anglesy in the year 1815.

I Richard Williams,  of the parish of Llanfihangel Tre'r beirdd, Bachelor, and Catherine Jones of this parish, spinster were married in this Church by License with Consent of Parents this fourteenth Day of July in the Year One thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
 
By Me Griffith Herbert, minister

This Marriage was solemnized between us: The X of Richard Williams
                                                                  The X of Catherine Jones
In the Presence of Owen Owens and John Edwards.

FHL 2419463 Item 6 1816   P 5 No 13

William Salisbury Hughes

                                                              William Salisbury Hughes

                                                                               
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                            

                                                                 "William Salisbury Hughes" 

                                                              History of Blue Earth County 

                                                                    Tom Hendricks

  William Salisbury Hughes was born on February 7, 1841 in the valley of Ty Cochyn, Llanrhyddlad, Anglesey, North Wales.  He was born to Owen and Winifred Salisbury Hughes who married on September 29, 1840 at the parish church in Ty Cochyn, Llanrhyddlad, Anglesey, North Wales.  They baptized their first son William Salisbury Hughes on May 11, 1841, three months after his birth.  The order of the children in this family were William S., Ellen, Robert S., John S., Jane, Mary, and Richard.

  At age thirteen, William left home for what family stories say was an incident of two choices.  The first was to stay in North Wales and be prosecuted for shooting game on an overlord's land, and the second was to leave his homeland and seek fame and fortune elsewhere.  He left his homeland and sought his fortune at Saint Castle Street, Liverpool, England, as a commercial merchant, at age thirteen.  He then took a job as a school teacher in a British parish.

  On August 1, 1854, he received his Indenture of Pupil's Teacher's Apprenticeship.  He was engaged in the apprenticeship with John Lewis till December 31, 1859.  This document was signed by William S. Hughes and his father, Owen Williams. Hughes.  Soon after, he had made a long voyage in May 1864 to America.  Here, William made his first stop in Utica, New York, before he came to Butternut Valley Township in the spring about May 1865.  He came to Butternut Valley, Minnesota and attended a Sunday School at the home of Jones (Sadler) the last Sunday in May of that year.  The Mankato Free Press says William's brother Robert Salisbury Hughes, came over in the year 1861.

  Little is known about William Salisbury Hughes' early life, but it is known that he bought land and resided in section four, range 128 in Butternut Township.  He married Catherine Williams, daughter of Hugh R. and Margaret Williams on July 23 1867 in Butternut Valley, Blue Earth, Minnesota.  Five months later, he would receive his State of Minnesota Teaching License.  He was issued a certificate for teaching third grade Orthography, Reading, Writing, Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, and History on December 5th, 1867.  He also became a prominent member of political affairs in the county which eventually led to his title as Blue Earth County Commissioner in the following years of 1879, 1880, and 1881.  He served for three years as Blue Earth County Commissioner and applied for his United States citizenship papers on the 6th day of January 1897.  In 1910 he was nominated as a candidate for the state legislature on the Republican ticket.  Unfortunately, he lost because the other candidate was a saloon man.

  William Salisbury Hughes was also a member of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church of Butternut Valley and also helped out in church and school affairs as well as teaching Sunday School.  He and his wife joined the Bethel Church of Cambria, January 3, 1908.  He bought two plots of land from the Judson Cemetery Association for himself and his wife November 1, 1900.

  He and his faithful wife attended the yearly 4th of July picnic at Wagner's Grove in Cambria.  He was a poet and usually gave several readings at the picnic.  People often described him as a leader and confident.

  In October of 1903, he submitted his will to the probate court.  Ten years later Hughes died. On Tuesday, July 1, 1913, in the early morning hours of the day.  He had experienced a fatal paralytic stroke.  His death occurred about  about one week before the annual gathering at Wagner's Grove.  The newspapers published a picture and biography of the man who had served Butternut Valley faithfully.

  Surviving him were his wife and twelve children: Richard Salisbury Hughes, who never married; Mary Hughes who married Ernest Hughes with the last same name but not related to us from Lincoln, Nebraska; Catherine Hughes who married Mr. Owens; Margaret or Maggie, who married Gomer W. Jones; Robert S. Hughes who was married-- but I am not sure of her name; William Salisbury Hughes, who married Myrtle Iola Nelson; Winifred married Griffith Roberts; Jane A. Hughes who married Calvin Owens; Susie Hughes who married David Davies; Hugh Salisbury Hughes, who married Clara Heckel; Cesiah who married Owen Jones.  Also surviving him at the time were three sisters, namely Miss Ellen Hughes; Mrs. Jane Parry, and Mrs. Mary Jones, of Anglesey, Wales.  He was also survived by two brothers Robert and J.S. Hughes.

 

Census
1870 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Butternut Valley
William S Hughes, male, age 29, married to Catherine, farmer, real estate worth  $3300, personal worth $673, born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, age 18, keeping house, born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 1,born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes, born  3/12,born in Minnesota

1875 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Butternut  FHL 565717 P 210
William S. Hughes,male, age 35, married, born in Wales, parents b in Wales, married to Catherine Hughes,age 23, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales
Richard S Hughes, male, age 6, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes,female, age 5, born in Minnesota
Robert S. Hughes, male, age 3, born in Minnesota
Catheine Hughes,female, age 1, born in Minnesota

1880 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth, Butternut Valley
William S. Hughes,  male, age 39, white, married farmer, born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, female, age 28, born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 11, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes, age 10,born in Minnesota
Robert Hughes, age 8, born in Minnesota
Catherine Hughes, age 6, born in Minnesota
Margaret Hughes, age 4,born in Minnesota
Ellen Hughes, age 2, born in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 6/12, born in Minnesota

1885 Minnesota State Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley FHL 565734
William S. Hughes, male, married, age 43, born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, age  33,born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 16, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes, age 15, born in Minnesota
Robert Hughes, age 13,born in Minnesota
Catherine Hughes, age 11,born in Minnesota
Margaret, Hughes age 9, born in Minnesota
Ellen Hughes, age 7, born in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 5, born in Minnesota

1900 US Federal Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley  Ed 3 SH 9
William S. Hughes, male, age 59, born  Feb 1841,married 33 years, born in Wales, parents born in  Wales, immigrated in 1864, in US for 36 years,  farmer
Catherine Hughes, age 28, born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 31,male, age 31, born Apr 1869,single, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin
Kate S. Owens, age 26,female, age 26, born Apr 1874, single, born in Minnesota, daughter of William and Catherine, parents  born in Minnesota
Margaret Hughes, age 24, born April 1876 in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 20, single, born Mar 1880 in Minnesota, farm labourer
Winnifred Hughes, age 14,female, born in Minnesota, at school
Jane Alice Hughes, age 11, female, born Dec 1881,single, born in Minnesota, at school
Susie Hughes, age 10, female,single,born June 1890 in Minnesota, at school
Hugh Hughes, male, age 8, born Oct 1891 in Minnesota, single,at school
Cesiah Hughes, female, age 6, single, at school,born in Minnesota
Edward Owen, age 28 born in Wales

1905 Minnesota State Census,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley FHL 28769 P 451
William S. Hughes, male age 64, born in Wales, parents born in Wales
Catherine Huges, age 52, female, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales
Margaret Hughes,female, age 29, born in Minnesota, father  born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
William S. Hughes,male, age 25, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
Winnifred Hughes, female, age 20, born in Minnesota, father  born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
 Jane Alice Hughes, female, age 16, born in Minnesota,father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin
Susie Hughes,female, age 14, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
Hugh Hughes, male, age 13, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsins
Cesiah Hughes,female, age 11, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin

1910 US Federal Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley P242
William S.Hughes, male, age 69, married 43 years born in Wales, parents born in Wales, farmer,  owns farm
Catherine Hughes, age 57, married 43 years, 12 of 13 living children, born in Wisconsin 
Jane A. Hughes, age 21,female,single, born in Minnesota
Susie Hughes, age 19, female, single, born in Minnesota
Hugh Hughes, age 18, male, single,born  in Minnesota,
Cesiah Hughes, age 16, female, single, born in Minnesota

Property
Gov't Lot 2 Section 4, Township 108, N of Range 29 W--60 Acres

Obituary  Lake Crystal Union  July 9, 1913
  It is with great sorrow that we must record the departure of William S. Hughes, Butternut Valley, Minnesota, which took place early Tuesday morning, July 1, 1913, after suffering much pain for nearly a week, culminating in the end in a paralytic stroke which brought him relief, and thrust his family into deep sorrow, and set the whole neighborhood in a state of bewilderment and gloom.
  Mr. Hughes was born in a place called Ty-Cochyn, Llanrhyddlad, Anglesey, North Wales, Feb 7, 1841, (not in 1842 as published in the book called "History of the Welsh in Minnesota," page 207."  As many others in those days, he was obliged to leave home, young and "paddle his own canoe."  More fortunate than many, however, he was given a fair chance to acquire education and this chance was not offered him in vain.  He was taken as "apprentice teacher in the British school of the parish at the age of thirteen, and later found employment with a Commission merchant in Liverpool, England.  From thence he migrated to America in 1864, finding employment, almost at once, as book-keeper for a business firm in Utica, N.Y.  This vocation he followed until the spring of 1865, when he moved father west, settling down in Butternut Valley, Minnesota.  Here he purchased a farm, built a small house, married Miss Catherine Williams. daughter of H.R. Williams. of what is now known as the township of Cambria but then was a part of the township of Butternut Valley.  And it is on this same farm that he spent the remainder of his life on earth, with his large family of 12 children (three having preceded their father to the other world.) enjoying all the comforts that this world can give, the fruit of his untiring labors and leaving all in comfortable circumstances--nine of the children being married and having homes of their own.
  He was a unique person, standing by himself, and different from all others.  He was a talented man, and this talent he built indifferent in times.  He held many offices in this town, and for three succeeding years was County Commissioner.  Three years ago, was nominated at the Primary for Representative in his district, and without a doubt, was the most capable candidate in the field, but was defeated, not because he was inferior to the other man, but because the other man was a saloon keeper, while Mr. Hughes was strictly an anti-saloon man and this dark blot will remain in the annals of the district, increasing its shame, and possibly will remain on the conscience of many a Christian, who preferred to cling to a party, rather than to stand up for principle.
  In his neighborhood, he was the council of all, and when in need of advice, it was to him they went and as a rule they never regretted of [asking] his advice.
  After joining Bethel Church, which he did on January 3, 1908, and even before becoming a member, he was the same--our leader and council.  He was the deacon of the deacons, (tho not elected a deacon) and the Bishop of his pastor.  Bethel will be a strange church for us all now, without Mr. Hughes there, always at his post and taking an active part in the Sunday School and all other services.
  Nor must we neglect to make mention of his rare talent as a poet.  Had he the desire, he could easily be in the first rank, for his compositions were not merely a jingle written in metric form, but thoughts tumbling as if it were into existence in each line, and as if one strove to excel the other.
  He was a self-made man, and an all around man, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
  The funeral services were held at Bethel Church, Saturday plm. July 5, 1913, conducted by pastor Rev. Jones D. Jones, assisted by the Rev. D. Edwards, Lake Crystal, W.E. Evans, Mankato and Dr. John C. Jones, Chicago,  The burial took place at Jerusalem cemetery.
  He leaves in sorrow his widow, and 12 children, namely, Mary, wife of Ernest Hughes, Norfolk, Nebraska; Nell, wife of L.J. Lewis, Lake Crystal; Kate wife of Edward Owens,California; Maggie, wife of Gomer Jones; Jane, wife of Calvin Owens;Winnie, wife of G.M. Roberts;Sue, wife of David W Davids, Sioux Pass, Montana; Robert Hughes, Lake Crystal; Richard Hughes, Judson; William Hughes, Butternut Valley; and Hugh and Cesiah in the old home; also two brothers, Messrs. John and Robert S. Hughes in this county and three sisters in Wales.  There are also nine grandchildren.  May God in his tender mercy watch over his dear ones all, and make them a blessing.

Catherine Williams Hughes

                                                           Catherine Williams Hughes

                                                                                  

 Catherine William Hughes  

History of Blue Earth County

  Tom Hendricks

 

Catherine ('Williams) Hughes was born 15 April 1852 to Hugh R. Williams and Margaret Williams, of Waukesha, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  The family came to Minnesota in the fall of August,1855 (Brother Richard's obituary say they came to Minnesota three months after he was born, which would make it July) with other Welsh families of Wisconsin.  They settled on the Richard Morgan farm, (Richard's obituary says the George Wagner farm) building a sod shanty on the southwest corner of the town of Cambria, Minnesota.  It was said that their house was one of the first two houses built in that town.  On the 1860 census records it lists the value of the Williams Estate as $250.00.

Catherine was the first of four other children in the Williams family.  The other children after her in order of birth are : Mary; Richard who bought the family farm in 1881 from his father and mother; William,  and Elizabeth.  At present nothing is known about her early childhood or late adulthood.  

  Catherine married William Salisbury Hughes, July 23 1867 in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.  It is also known that Hugh R. Williams was present at the marriage, it is believed her mother died some months earlier that year.  There were a number of Williams families living in Cambria during this time period.  The closest Margaret Williams I can find is listed as living in Wales with a birth date in 1822.  Her father is listed as Prithand or Prichard.  This is merely speculation.  It is also not known where Catherine's mother or father are buried.  Stories about the family say that possibly the mother is buried on the homestead claim in Cambria.

  After the Dakota conflict, several of the pioneer citizens took matters in their own hands and wanted to hold a trial to condemn 38 Sioux warriors of crimes that ranged from rape to murder.  Her father, Hugh R. Williams,  took part in the war.  He was enlisted as a Butternut Valley guard during that time.  He also drove the carts to hang the Indians in Mankato.  The Welsh Settler book written in 1895 gives a small detailed account of what happened to the Indians and their fate.

  Hugh R., along with about a dozen other Welshmen, led the carts to haul the  Indians to their death passing through New Ulm.  Catherine's courageous part in the uprising was fleeing the savage attack of the Indians by running to New Ulm with her baby brother Richard in her arms.

  The only other recollection family members remember about Catherine Williams is that she baked bread in round loaf  pans which she would butter up, cut down the middle with a razor sharp knife, towards herself.

  She died on 22 May 1914 almost one year after her husband died.  She lived to be 62, and lived with her son Hugh S. Hughes, the youngest of the twelve children.  Her cause of death is listed as "acute dilation of the heart and mental insufficency," which she had for two days and two nights.  Some family members say she died of a broken heart.  She too, is buried in Jerusalem Cemetery, Lake Crystal, Minnesota.

  She did leave a will in which her youngest son, Hugh S. Hughes, received the family farm.  It was Government Lot Two in Section Four in Township One Hundred Eight North of Range Twenty-nine West, containing 60 acres of land, more or less, according to the government survey thereof.  This will was made May 27, 1914.

Census Record

1860 US Federal Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley P184

Hugh Williams, age 38, married, farmer, born in Wales, worth $ 250,

Margaret Williams, age 35, married, born in Wales

Catherine Williams, age 8, born in Wisconsin

Mary Williams, age 5, born in Wisconsin

Richard Williams, age 4, born in Wisconsin

William Williams, age 3, born in Minnesota

Elizabeth Williams, age 1, born in Minnesota

 

1865 State Census of Minnesota, Blue Earth, Genesco #48

Hugh Williams,

Margaret Williams

Catharine Williams

Richard Williams

Elizabeth Williams

Ellen Williams

1870 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth, Butternut Valley

William S Hughes, male, age 29, married to Catherine, farmer, real estate worth  $3300, personal worth $673, born in Wales

Catherine Hughes, age 18, keeping house, born in Wisconsin

Richard Hughes, age 1,born in Minnesota

Mary Hughes, born  3/12,born in Minnesota

1875 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Butternut  P 210
William S. Hughes,male, age 35, married, born in Wales, parents b in Wales
Catherine Hughes,age 23, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales
Richard S Hughes, male, age 6, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes,female, age 5, born in Minnesota
Robert S. Hughes, male, age 3, born in Minnesota
Catherine Hughes,female, age 1, born in Minnesota,

1880 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth, Butternut Valley
William S. Hughes,  male, age 39, white, married farmer, born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, female, age 28, born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 11, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes, age 10,born in Minnesota
Robert Hughes, age 8, born in Minnesota
Catherine Hughes, age 6, born in Minnesota
Margaret Hughes, age 4,born in Minnesota
Ellen Hughes, age 2, born in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 6/12, born in Minnesota

1885 Minnesota State Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley
William S. Hughes, male, married, age 43, born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, age  33,born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 16, born in Minnesota
Mary Hughes, age 15, born in Minnesota
Robert Hughes, age 13,born in Minnesota
Catherine Hughes, age 11,born in Minnesota
Margaret, Hughes age 9, born in Minnesota
Ellen Hughes, age 7, born in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 5, born in Minnesota

1900 US Federal Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley  Ed 3 SH 9
William S. Hughes, male, age 59, born  Feb 1841,married 33 years, born in Wales, parents born in  Wales, immigrated in 1864, in US for 36 years,  farmer
Catherine Hughes, age 28, born in Wisconsin
Richard Hughes, age 31,male, age 31, born Apr 1869,single, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin
Kate S. Owens, age 26,female, age 26, born Apr 1874, single, born in Minnesota, daughter of William and Catherine, parents  born in Minnesota
Margaret Hughes, age 24, born April 1876 in Minnesota
William Hughes, age 20, single, born Mar 1880 in Minnesota, farm labourer
Winnifred Hughes, age 14,female, born in Minnesota, at school
Jane Alice Hughes, age 11, female, born Dec 1881,single, born in Minnesota, at school
Susie Hughes, age 10, female,single,born June 1890 in Minnesota, at school
Hugh Hughes, male, age 8, born Oct 1891 in Minnesota, single,at school
Cesiah Hughes, female, age 6, single, at school,born in Minnesota
Edward Owen, age 28 born in Wales

1905 Minnesota State Census,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley P 451
William S. Hughes, male age 64, born in Wales, parents born in Wales
Catherine Hughes, age 52, female, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales
Margaret Hughes,female, age 29, born in Minnesota, father  born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
William S. Hughes,male, age 25, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
Winnifred Hughes, female, age 20, born in Minnesota, father  born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
 Jane Alice Hughes, female, age 16, born in Minnesota,father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin
Susie Hughes,female, age 14, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Wisconsin
Hugh Hughes, male, age 13, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin
Cesiah Hughes,female, age 11, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother born in Wisconsin


1910 US Federal Census,Minnesota,Blue Earth,Butternut Valley P242
William S.Hughes, male, age 69, married 43 years born in Wales, parents born in Wales, farmer,  owns farm
Catherine Hughes, age 57, married 43 years, 12 of 13 living children, born in Wisconsin 
Jane A. Hughes, age 21,female,single, born in Minnesota
Susie Hughes, age 19, female, single, born in Minnesota
Hugh Hughes, age 18, male, single,born  in Minnesota,
Cesiah Hughes, age 16, female, single, born in Minnesota

1915 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Butternut Valley  P 451
Catherine Hughes, age 53, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales

Obituary  Mankato Free Press  29 May 1914  From Friday's Daily
    Mrs. Catherine Hughes, the widow of William S. Hughes of  Butternut Valley, died at her home at three o'clock this morning,  very suddenly.  She had been up and around half an hour before  she died.  Mrs. Hughes was sixty-five years old and is survived  by twelve children, eight daughters and four sons.  Mrs. Griffith Roberts of this city is one of the daughters.  Most of the other  children live in the vicinity of Butternut.
     Mr. Hughes died last July and since that time Mrs. Hughes has lived with her son, Hugh Hughes.  She was a member of the Bethel  Church in Cambria.'

The Wisconsin Years 1850-1855

 Soon after their arrival in the United States, Hugh and Margaret made their way to Delafield Township, Waukesha, Wisconsin, the home of a large Welsh population who had mainly come from Angelsey and Caernarvonshire.  The obvious question of course, is why did they go there?  Where had they heard of Delafield?  Were they following friends, family or acquaintances?   If so, whom?

Delafield is a small community in southeastern Wisconsin near Lake Nagawicka about 30 minutes west of Milwaukee.  It was established in 1837.  Like pioneers elsewhere, those early pioneers faced daunting challenges of extreme weather. Warm summers frequently gave way to fires, droughts, storms and disease. Winters brought bone chilling cold and snow. 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WIMap-doton-Delafield.png

  

The 1850 census for Delafield was taken on August 6, and they were there at that time.  Hugh and Margaret were living with the family of Dan'l. T. Davis, a 52 year old farmer from Wales.  His wife was Pamela, age 49, also of Wales. They had two children living with them, John, age 15, and  Sarah, age 12. Hugh was listed as a 28 year old laborer, born in Wales.  Margaret was age 25, also from Wales.  There were no children living with them. As no relationship was given at the time, the relationship between the Davis family and Hugh and Margaret can't be determined.

Within a year and a half after his arrival, on November 4, 1851, Hugh  appeared in the Circuit Court of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and filed his intention of becoming a citizen of the US. [ no # 1333]  In that document, he said he was born in Wales about 1821 and immigrated to the US on or about the month of May. 


While living in Delafield, three children were born to Hugh and Margaret.  Their oldest daughter Catherine was born on April 15, 1852.  Mary was born in 1853 or 1854.   Richard Hugh was born on April 1, 1855.

There were some early birth records for Waukesha County, Wisconsin.  Hoping to discover Margaret's name,  I checked them for Catherine and Richard's.  The records for that early period were scarce and they were not recorded.


Wisconsin held a state census in 1855.  It listed head of household by name and divided the others by gender.  Hugh Williams was listed with one other male [Hugh and Richard] and three females [Margaret, Catherine and Mary].  Two were listed as foreign born and they would be Hugh and Margaret.

Other William/Jones families in Delafield, neighbors to Hugh and Margaret:

Sarah Williams, one male, 3 females, 3 foreign born
John W  Jones, 2 males, 1 female, 2 foreign born,
Lewis Jones, 5 males, and 3 females, 2 foreign born
Morris Jones, 4 males, and 3 females, 4 foreign born
Robert Jones, 2 males, 3 females, 2 foreign born
Morgan Williams, 2 males, 3 females, 5 foreign born
John J. Williams, 3 males,2 females, 2 foreign born
John Jones, 1 male, 4 female, 4 foreign born.

One thing to remember when researching for Hugh Williams in  Wisconsin is that there was a Hugh Williams living in Genesee, Waukesha County and several others throughout Wisconsin.   The Hugh Williams of Genesee was about ten years older than Hugh R. Williams.  He was married to Ellen and had children named Richard, Robert, Jane, Ellen and Catherine. 

Hugh Richard Williams Marriage to Margaret

One of the family accounts states states that Hugh and Margaret married in Wisconsin.  A check of the Waukesha, Minnesota, marriage records didn't find any record of their marriage there.

But on May 18, 1850, when they arrived in New York,  Hugh Williams and Margaret were listed as a married couple.  Therefore, they must have married before they left England or Wales or were married on the boat.

Some of the possible records regarding their marriage have been found in the BMD/UKBMD  which covers the birth, marriages and deaths by quarters.  In the following records, the district is listed first, then the volume and page number. The district lists the place where the marriage was registered and not the actual place of marriage. The indexes do not indicate which male was married to which  female. To order the licenses one needs the district, quarter, year, volume and page. It costs about 13 lb. 50 to order a certificate.  I would like to be more sure that we have the correct record before spending the money to order it.

Because there were no children listed with them, it is assumed that they married shortly before they left Wales.  The last quarter in which Hugh and Margaret would appear before leaving for New York would be the June Quarter of 1850.  Other possibilities follow:

UKBMD
Marriages June Quarter 1850

WILLIAMS, HUGH           Bangor            27   483
HUGHES, MARGARET 

Towns in Bangor District:  Parts of Angelsey and Caernarvonshire
Aber, Bangor, Beaumaris, Bethesda, Llanddaniel Fab, llanddonna, Llandegai, Llandegfan, Llandysillo, Llanedwen, Llanfaes, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Llanfairffechan, Llanffinan, Llanfihangel Esgeifog, Llanfihangel Tyn Sylwy, Llangadwaladr, Llangoed,Llangristiolus,Llaniestyn,Llaniestyn Rural, Llaniestyn Urban,  Llanllechid, Llansadwrn,Penmon, Penmynydd, Pentir, Pentraeth,Puffin Island,Trefdraeth


Marriages March Quarter 1847
WILLIAMS, Hugh             Carnarvon    27      417
GRIFFITH, Margaret

Marriages June Quarter 1847

WILLIAMS, Hugh             Holywell         27    381

JONES, Margaret

Towns in Holywell District, Flintshire  The marriage would have taken place in one of these parishes.
Brynford /Buckley (Mold)/Caerwys/Cilcain/Coleshill Fawr/Connah's Quay/Flint/ Gwaenysgor/Halkyn/Holywell/ Holywell Rural/ Holywell Urban/ Llanasa/Mold/Mold Rural/Mold Urban/Nannerch/Nerquis/Newmarket/Northop/ Whitford/Ysceifiog

 

BMD

Marriages Dec Quarter 1844

DAVIES  John                      Anglesey      27     643

EVANS, William                  Anglesey      27     643       

HUGHES,  Jane                    Anglesey      27     643

JONES, Margaret                  Anglesey      27     643

PRICHARD,  Susanna          Anglesey      27     643

WILLIAMS  Hugh                Anglesey      27     643

I found this record  for the marriage of  a Hugh and Margaret Jones in the parish church of Llanrhyddlad, Anglesea. 

The marriage record reads:  "27th May 1844 Hugh Williams of full age, bachelor, labourer of Llantrisant, son of Hugh Williams,  labourer and Margaret Jones, of full age, spinster, of Llanrhyddlad, daughter of John Jones Labourer were married in the parish church according to the rites of the Established church of Wales.  In the presences of William Jones and William Owens.  The mark of Hugh and Margaret was given.

If this is Hugh and Margaret's record, then Hugh's father was Hugh and Margaret's father was John. My feeling is that this is not their marriage account.
 

QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:

What proof do we have that Margaret's last name was Jones?
Did they have children that did not survive? 

To determine Margaret's maiden name I thought the death certificates of Hugh and Margaret's children might give their mother's name. Tom Hendricks sent me copies.  It proved inconclusive. One gave her name as Margaret William's, one as unknown, and one as Margaret.

We must find their marriage certificate.

Hugh Richard William's Place of Birth

The only factual information regarding the birth place of Hugh R. Williams is that he was born in Wales. His immigration papers and all census records subsequent to his immigration to the US give his place of birth as "Wales."  The search for his birth place has involved many hours of research by many people without success.  The only clues to his birthplace in Wales are found in the stories written by his descendants.  

According to several accounts, Hugh R. Williams, was born in a place that could be translated as "black rock."  Some spelled it Kraganois, but there is no "Kraganois" in Wales. There is a Craig-y-Nos, however, which translates as "rock of the night." It is part of the Black Mountains, a group of hills spread across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales.

Craig-y-nos is most famous today for the massive Victorian-Gothic country home of the opera singer Adelina Patti, built on parkland beside the River Tawe in the upper Swansea Valley, in Powys. It was built many years before Hugh left the area and he has no connection to it.   Below is a view of the castle and the beautiful Brecon Beacon  Park  that surrounds it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Craig-Y-Nos_Castle.jpg 

There is no parish or town in Wales by the name of Craig-Y-Nos.  Not too far from the black rock, however, was a small hamlet called Penwyllt. It is a small hamlet located in the Swansea Valley east of the Black Mountain.  It was formerly a quarrying village, quicklime, and silica brick production center.  It was adversely affected by the industrial revolution with the rest of South Wales.  There are no records for it in the FHL catalog.  Other parishes in the area have been searched for Hugh without any success.

I don't believe Craig Y Nos is the place where Hugh was born.  There are other more persuasive clues to suggest that he was born in central or northern Wales. I would like to explore some of the other places where he might have been born. 

In an article written about Hugh's daughter, Sarah Maple "Kitty" Williams Johnson, found in the "Market Lake Citizen"  Roberts, Jefferson County, Idaho 1959, it reads, "Mrs. Johnson was born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, the daughter of Hugh Williams and Ruth Reese.  Her parents were of Welsh descent who had settled in Minnesota coming from Wisconsin.  He [Hugh R. Williams] was a native of North Wales, being born in what is translated from Welsh to be "Rock of the Winds."  

There are several words that can be translated from the English "rock" to Welsh.  They are "craig", "graig", and the more common "cefn." The word "wind "can be translated as "gwyntog."  Cefn Gwyntog is at the top of Cyrniau Nod (a smaller mountain) in northeast  Wales.  It is part of the Berwyn Range and its summit lies outside Snowdonia National Park.

These are the parishes closest to Cefn Gwyntog  and should be searched:

Altfrogan

NewBridge

Llanuwchllyn
   List of marriages in Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire, Wales 1701-1930          942-925 K29
   Pandy Chapel in Llanuwchillyn, Merionethshire, Wales     1807-1837          1482435  Item 7
   Birth/baptisms of Llandderfel, Llanfor and Llandrillo        1816-1837           813546  It 24
   Old Chapel Church Records                                                 1831-1837          1482426 It 5
   Ebenezar Chapel                                                                   1814-1837          1482412  It 8
   BT, 1662-1852                                                                     1662-1852           104811 It 2
   PR  1697-1972                                                                      Vol 5    m            2421937 It 3
                                                                                                 1813-1926           2422717 It 13      

Llannddyn

Pennant-Melangell      Montgomery                                       1662-1853           104819  It 2
  BT
  List of marriages                                                                    1672-1959           942/94/ L29    

LLangynog                                                              
  BT                                                                                          1717-1846            104482  Item 3  
  Marriage Bonds & allegations                                               1678-1864            105308  Item 11

  Includes records of Llanfihangel Tal-y-llyn, Llanganten, Llangasty Tal-y-llyn and Llangynog.

Another possible birthplace is around the town of Llanfihangel Esceifiog, Anglesey, Tynrard.

According to one account, the Williams family left Wisconsin for Minnesota sometime in November of 1855.  " Hugh and Margaret settled in Wisconsin where they lived for 5 years and then sold their land and moved to Minnesota in 1855.  "Thos. Jones, Evan Evans "Y Pant", and Hugh R Williams families moved to South Bend, MN in 1855; from Llanfihangel-Genau'r-Glyn,Wales."  [I am sorry that I did not write the source for this quote.] There are many church records for Llanfihangel in the FHL.

 
 In the 1841 Census of  Llanfihangel Esceifiog, Anglesey, Tynrard - District 12 we find this family.
Owen Hughes age 26 Collier, born in Angelsey
Margaret Hughes age 24, born in Angelsey
Dorothy Hughes age 6 months,born in Angelsey
Margaret Hughes age 3, born in Angelsey
(next page)
Owen Lewis age 17  Collier, born in Angelsey
Hugh Williams age 20  Collier, born in Angelsey
Margaret Jones age 16 Female Servant, born in Angelsey

Is this Hugh Williams, age 20, a collier, born in Angelsey our Hugh?  The age for Hugh is approximately right, he was listed as a collier on his immigration records. An interesting addition is Margaret Jones, age 16, born in Angelsey, listed as a female servant.  On the immigration record this was the approximate difference in their ages. Remember in the 1841 Welsh/English Census, they may have rounded down the ages for adults 5 years and only the county of birth was given.

This census record is a possibility for Hugh Williams and Margaret Jones.  

The parish record is listed as Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog in the FHL catalog,  942-K29 h   FHL 243088 Items 7, 10, 13

If  Hugh's parents were married in Almwch we might check Llanfihangel Tre'r beirdd which was the home of Richard Williams.