Calypso & Coal
For an extensive history into the lives of individuals from the Caribbean, it is worth looking towards our historic docks and industrial centres. Many of the individuals listed were Merchant Seamen who found work on shore, in the Collieries throughout the South Wales Coal Field and in our steel industry. Below you will find some of these individuals who made Wales their home.
Our publication titled ‘Calypso & Coal’ from Port to Pit, is now available from ourselves and Amazon.co.uk
Others Include:
George Hyden-Antigua-1849 (Later lived in Newport)
Jeremiah Gray-Jamaica (Later lived in Newport)
Lewis Williams-
Felix White Hanlan- Jamaica (Lived in Newport and Merthyr Tydfil).
Wales’ Black Miners'
It is important to recognise our Industrial past as being the origin of many significant migrations to Wales. Individuals travelled globally for work and Wales (with its vast Coal exports) witnessed significant change as increased labour was required to help with the increase in demand.
Our project initially began by charting the migration of our families who were largely from the Caribbean. It quickly became clear that a migration from other significant mining communities (such as West Virginia and Pennsylvania) could be seen in Wales. It was not uncommon for Colliers in Mining communities to look for work in Pennsylvania and many other mining towns however the evidence of their existence seems to be better represented. Below you will find details of some of the individuals who worked in the Collieries and became part of the community. Their memory is largely lost and it is here that we aim to offer great representation. We encourage family members to get in touch if they would like to know more.
We must begin with a fantastic image which was kindly featured on BBC’s Weatherman walking. The image represents some of the many families in South Wales.
Families of Gelligaer who worked across the South Wales Coal Field sinking Pit Shafts, as Hewers, Stokers and Firemen.
Pictured in front Row is Elsie Alfred Langford (Sam) holding his daughter, Wife, Lyd (right) and daughter Barbara (Child in White dress).
Image from Private Collection
Black Miners have been living and working throughout the South Wales Coalfield since at least the latter part of the 19th century. Colliers can be found carring out a variety of roles including
Engineer, Carpenter, Stoker, Hewer, and Fireman (to name a few). Women have been documented as making tea for the workers (particularly true in the case of Lydia, pictured above, whose child was also born at the Colliery where she was living with her husband).
Many are recorded as coming from the Caribbean and there was also a significant number of African-American Colliers from Pennsylvania, New Orleans and Alabama also working in Wales. Many of these individuals have been connected to the Circus and Boxing Booths.
Colliers
Our Research on Wales’ Black Miners, focuses on those who were known to have lived and worked throughout the South Wales Coal Field. There will be many more who travelled daily to the pit, from Ports such as Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Barry.
Listed below are just a few Colliers.
Claudius A Cummings. 1867-1940, Sierra Leone. Colliery Stoker. Marine Pit
Alexander Walker. 1891, Kingston, Jamaica. Penallta
Arnold Alonzo Sheppard. 1908-1979, Cardiff
Sam Elsie Alfred Langford. 1888, Barbados-Gelligaer
Leonard Hinds. 1887-1948, Barbados-Maerdy.
John Darwin Hinds. 1922-1981, Pontypridd- Bargoed
Joseph George Dixon. 1887, Virginia
Adolphus Augustus Gumms. 1909-1976
Walter Sinclair. 1872, Pittsburg-Gelligaer
Richard Bartlett. 1851, Jamaica
James Clunis. 1887, Jamaica-Aberavon
John McGregor Williams. 1881, Jamaica-Swansea
John Williams. 1883, Jamaica-Llanelli
George Brown/John Alfred Dixon. 1881, Jamaica-Neath
Lewis Williams. 1884-1932, New Orleans. Driver at colliery.
Vivian Rufus Hay. 1885-1957, Kingston Jamaica- Tonyrefail
John Florence. 1876, Bermuda –Bargoed-Hewer.
John Andrews. Abercanaid Colliery
Michael Fidder. 1874
William Edward Tuckett. Cymer
Edward Scantlebury. 1880, Barbados
Lionel Anthony Francis.
John Henry Davies.
William Augustus Lacey. 1871-1900, Pontypridd
Ignatius Williams. Rhondda
William Jacobs. Rhondda
James Beazer.
Arnold Burke. Ynysddu, worked at Celynen Colliery
George Bailey.
Fabian Mcintosh. 1914, Jamaica. Britannia Colliery.
Charles David Williams. Abertysswg.
Walter Giles. Abertysswg
Daniel Fraser. Alabama
John Williams. 1879, Jamaica
James Samuel Richards. 1882, Jamaica
Thomas Christian. 1871 Jamaica-Abertillery
Fred Drake/Drakes. 1880-1934, Barbados-Treherbert
Nathaniel Emptage. Barbados
Jacob Calder. British Guiana-Pontypridd
George Dixon. 1882, Virginia-Cilfynydd
Benjamin Blackwell. America
Thomas Ramsay-Britannia Terrace, Porth.
George Williams-Blaenafon
John Martin.
Edward Greenaway. Montserrat-Garw Valley
Frederick Jacobs
Daniel Fraser. Dominico/Alabama
Benjamin Calder
Henry S Boon. 1831, West Indies.
Harry Stephens.
William Beake/Blake. West Indies
Thomas Peters. 1875
Issac Williams. Trealaw, Glamorgan Coal Company
Augustus Grovell. St Eustatius-Forge worker
Derek Joseph.
Alexander Walker.
Amos William Brown (Pessi Bull)- 1856-Florida-Abercynon
Milton Ford. Demerara.
Amos William Brown (Jnr) 1902-1916-Died in Mardy Colliery when working in a stall when the roof collapsed.
Collieries
A List of where many of the Men worked.
Abercarn Marine Abercanaid Nantgarw
Abergorki New Tredegar
Bargoed Parc Slip
Britannia Penallta
Bute Merthyr Pengam
Celynen Senghenydd
Coedely Tremorfa
Dyffryn Rhondda Wylie
Taff Merthyr Wern Fawr
Lewis Merthyr Windsor
Maerdy
A Hero in Treherbert
Our research often identifies those who have a special story. One in particular which has been forgotten is that of Mr Frederick Drakes from Barbados.
Frederick (or Fred as he was known) lived in Treherbert with his wife and young family. His Daughter Gertrude was sadly killed when she was severely burned after playing with matches. Throughout his Life, Fred saved a number of individuals and became a local hero. Following the tragic death of a young man name Albert Prince, (who drowned in the feeder pond for the Ynysfeio and Bute Colliery) he was tasked with the job of retrieving his body. It is reported that in front of Thousands, Fred swam over 20ft to the bottom of the feeder and upon retrieving it, was awarded a cheque from the colliery owners.
Article Source: Western Mail & South Wales News, Thursday, July 18th, 1929.
Frederick Drakes, Born in Barbados.
Clubs and Dance halls
The Silver Sands, Newport.
Do you remember the Silver Sands in Newport? Chances are that if you do, you graced the club with a night of your dancing and many will remember the food. Curried Goat and Cow Foot soup being a particular favourite.
The Silver Sands was located at 155 Commercial rd in Pillgwenlly, Newport. Ran by Mrs Eulah White and her husband James from Jamaica, the club was on the radar of many who travelled to Newport to sample what the Newport Nightlife had to offer. Famed for it’s Reggae music and traditional food, The Silver Sands was a firm favourite for many in Newport and beyond.
For More information on the Silver Sands, information can be sourced on www.peoplescollection.Wales
Many thanks to the family of Mrs White for their support of this article.
