OBITUARIES
1873

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald January 4th. 1873

CEFN DU QUARRY

Tuesday last, the 31st ult., witnessed the internment at Llechryd, near Cardigan, of the remains of the late James Stephens, Esq., of that place, whose decease is mentioned in obituary notices this week. Mr. Stephens was chief proprietor of this and other quarries in different parts of Wales, and was father to our respected fellow-townsman Mr. J. W. Stephens, Uxbridge-square. The workmen at Cefn Du showed their regard for the estimable deceased and his worthy family by ceasing to work on the day of burial.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald March 8th. 1873

DEATH OF MR. JAMES HAWKRIDGE

After a few days of very severe illness, Mr. James Hawkridge, bookbinder, Bangor-street, breathed his last on Thursday evening, the 6th. inst., aged 57. He was a native of Derby, and served his time at the bookbinding trade with Mr. Richardson, the eminent publisher of that town. He came to Wales about the year 1836, and after working for a few months in Bangor, removed to Carnarvon to work for Mr. James Rees, 'Herald' Office, with whom he was employed for several years. Subsequently he started business himself, and up to his death received considerable patronage in his trade. Being of a quiet, gentlemanly disposition, he was universally respected, and his somewhat sudden death is much regretted. He was a member of St. Mary's Church choir for many years, mostly during the late Mr. Hayden's time, and from the start of Freemasonry in Carnarvon he was a tyler with that order. During his illness, he was nearly conscious throughout. He leaves a wife and two daughters to struggle with the world's sorrows. The funeral will take place on Monday afternoon, when the masonic fraternity will attend wearing rosettes, &c.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald August 30th. 1873

THE LATE MR. ROBERT WILLIAMS, DRAPER

In our obituary column this week we have the painful duty of recording the death, after a brief illness, of a young and highly respected tradesman - Mr. Robert Williams, draper, Shop y Maes, at the age of thirty-one. Mr. Williams had business to transact at Glasgow, and he proceeded there on Monday, the 25th ult. At Crewe, he was suddenly taken ill, feeling slight pain across the chest. He, however, proceeded on his journey, thinking he would soon get over the pain; but on reaching Glasgow it appears that the pain continued. Soon after his arrival, he was confined to his bed, and kept it until Thursday. Finding himself slightly better on that day, he determined on returning home, and he arrived at Carnarvon on Friday morning. He continued to be very ill, and on Wednesday morning last he expired. It is only about six years since Mr. Williams established himself in town, but in that short period he won the esteem of all as a genial and affectionate young man. As a member of the Engedi Calvinistic Chapel he was highly respected, and as a Sunday School teacher he was an indefatigable worker, especially in connection with the Ragged School of the above chapel. Mr. Williams was a native of Hendreforion, near Barmouth. His sudden death has cast quite a gloom over the town. He leaves a young widow and a child, together with a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald December 13th. 1873

OBITUARY

We regret to announce the death of Mrs. Robert Griffith, Hole-in-the-wall-street, who died at her residence last Saturday, after a long and severe illness. The funeral took place last Thursday and was very numerously attended by the friends and relations of the deceased, including her parents, brothers of Mr. Griffith, and acquaintances from various parts of the county. Heading the procession were the Rev. Jenkin Davies and ….. Walters, curates of the parish; the deceased; Mr. R. C. Williams, Dr. Owen, Mr. Thomas L. Owen, London House, and the four pall bearers. Mr. Thomas Jones, Lluniog-goch, started the funeral, and the three reverend gentlemen present took part in the burial services. The houses and shop throughout the town generally on Thursday morning had blinds drawn and shutters put up.

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From the Carnarvon & Denbigh Herald December 27th. 1873

DEATH OF MR. THOMAS TURNER, HIGH SHERIFF OF CARNARVONSHIRE

Mr. Thomas Turner, of Plas Brereton, Carnarvon, the high Sheriff of Carnarvonshire, expired at his residence, at five a.m. on Wednesday morning last. Although Mr. Turner had been ailing for some time, the melancholy announcement of his death was to all classes in Carnarvon a message that produced the deepest sorrow. The deceased gentleman was for many years intimately connected with the town of Carnarvon, having taken a most prominent and responsible share in its local government. He was an alderman and one of the oldest members of the town council. He was mayor of the borough in the years 1846, 1847, and 1848. During the year 1847 her Majesty the Queen passed through the Menai Straits. Mr. Thomas Turner , the then mayor, boarded the royal yacht, and was presented to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The mayor proceeded on the following day to Beaumaris, where he presented an address to her Majesty through Lord Grey. He was also a magistrate of the county and the borough of Carnarvon. Occupying as he did, in addition to these honourable offices, the position of High Sheriff, it is not to be wondered that the inhabitants of Carnarvon felt that one of their most faithful, energetic, and able townsmen had been taken from them. His name is inseparably entwined with the progress of this borough during the last thirty years. Never was a townsman more respected. Mr. Turner's father, Mr. Wm. Turner, who was in 1832 High Sheriff for this county, and also subsequently for Anglesey and Merioneth, was closely identified with the development of the slate deposits of Carnarvonshire. He was one of the pioneers who, foreseeing the great wealth which lay buried in the hills of the county set about energetically to unearth these riches. In conjunction with the late Mr. Assheton Smith of Vaynol, he for a time carried on the Dinorwic Quarries. The two sons - Mr. Thomas Turner and Sir Llewelyn Turner - have both for many years interested themselves in a most praiseworthy manner in the interests of the town of Carnarvon. Mr. Thomas Turner possessed many of the chief qualities of a public man. His geniality and urbanity were such that poor and rich alike might approach him without reserve, while the unflinching integrity which characterised all his transactions raised him above all party spirit. For some time Mr. Thomas Turner accepted the post of agent for the Vaynol Estate, and his management was marked by a judicious settlement of all differences concerning the tenants and workmen on the estate, and also by a prudent handling of his employer's interests, so as to improve his properties in value and render them still more important items in the riches and resources of this county. Mr. Turner was brought up with an intimate knowledge of slate quarries, and was therefore specially adapted to undertake the supervision of the Dinorwig Quarries. It was during a visit to these quarries that he met with the accident which eventually caused his death. He fell over some rails in the quarries, and injured his spine. He was when he died in his 62nd year. Mr. Turner leaves several sons behind him to perpetuate his name. One is a barrister, a second a slate merchant and a captain in the Carnarvon volunteer corps, and a third a sub-agent upon the Vaynol estate.

Mr. T. Turner was the means of obtaining the ferry steamer that plies between Carnarvon and Anglesey, while his great influence, as well as that of his brother, Sir Llewelyn, succeeded in having the Llanberis Railway taken to Carnarvon, and not to Bangor. He was connected for many years with the trade of Carnarvon as the head of the firm of Messrs. Turner and Co., wine merchants.

Anything that we might write would be but an imperfect notice of the deceased gentleman. His memory and his worth will for many a year be a landmark in the history of Carnarvon.

We understand the remains of Mr. Turner will be interred in the family burial place at Llanfair-is-gaer, on Monday next. The Mayor and members of the Corporation will be in attendance officially.

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