Identity please.

[ctdavies]

In some old notes on family tree, compiled about 1910; mention is made of someone named "Billy Check". His full name is unknown, and anyone remembers a member of their family called that, or has heard about, Billy Check, I would be pleased to receive some information please.

Thank you

Colin

[gerald]

Hello Colin,
Nothing on 'Billy Chick' i'm afraid. But i did find this which may be useful in your family history search?

BRIDGEND POLICE.---Saturday. Nov,18.1843.
{Before M.P.Traherne,Esq., and the Rev. H. Lynche-Blosse.}
David James, a haulier, of Maesteg, was charged with feloniously stealing a number of carpenter's tools, the property of Gwilym Thomas and Thomas Thomas, farmers, of Blaengarw, in the parish of Llangeinor, in this county.
Thomas Thomas stated that on Tuesday, the 14th instant he went to the work-shop which he and his brother have belonging to their farm. He occasionally works as a Blacksmith, and his brother as a Wheel-wright and Carpenter for their own use. On the morning in question he found the door of the shop open, and almost all of the Carpenters tools missing.
He applied for a Warrant to search the prisoner's (his brother-in-law) house; but he and Constable John Jones, could not find any of the missing articles. The tools were placed before the court, and William Thomas swore that they were his. The prisoner in his defence stated that his wife had given lodging to a man called "John of the Green," who said he was going to work that morning. On the Wednesday following he came to me for his clothes. On Thursday morning my wife came to me at my work and said that a pack of his had been left behind. I suspected him then of being a bad person. When I went home I saw the pack of tools. i said I would have nothing to do with them; that I would throw them out. I put them into the old house for him to come and fetch them whenever he wished to do so. The man has since run away.
David James was then committed to Cardiff Gaol, to take his trial at the next quarter sessions. Possibly to be continued?

[ctdavies]

Thanks Gerald,

I am unsure if the Blaengarw family are related to me or not, so many Thomas families about! Very interested to learn about their "trades" though, worth remembering.

[ctdavies]

I believe I have at last identified "Billy Check". He was William Williams of Beech Road, Pontyrhyl, and a "colliery check weigher" at the time of the 1901 census. He would have been my maternal grandfather's 2nd cousin.

Thanks to all who have helped with my various enquiries.

Colin