Research Forum

Jones family of Uphill/Flatholm
published by on Tue, 12/09/2017 - 9:19

Hello, I am looking for any information about the Jones family of Uphill- James Jones b. 1844 my great grandfather was born in Uphill and moved to Cardiff - John Jones b.1804 who was his father and schoolmaster at Uphill school, and his dad - Henry Jones b. 1766 who was lighthouse keeper on Flatholm. His dad was also called Henry b.1740 and I don't know much about him - can anyone help with any of these people? Thanks!

Comments ..

Submitted by on Tue, 12/09/2017 - 17:33

Do you think any of your Jones family were involved in the coastguard in the Uphill area? I have a connection to a James Jones 1812 - 1896. Might be a connection to yours or not. All the best Wayne - towayne2000@yahoo.com

Submitted by on Wed, 13/09/2017 - 1:57

Henry Jones b1766 Uphill along with his wife Sarah Taylor b1769 Yatton were on Flat Holm Island from about 1804 to 1823 managing the lighthouse and farming (until Trinity House took over the ownership in 1823). Likewise Sarah's parents James Taylor and his wife Betty Blackford b1837 Butcombe were lighthouse keepers & farmers on the island from apx 1783 to 1795. James the keeper from about 1783 until his death on the island in 1789, then his wife took over until her death on the island in 1795, they are both buried in Yatton, where they also married, they lived in the Hamlet of Hewish near Yatton before moving to the island.

Hoping anyone has any further information, especially about James Taylor, all I have about James who is my 5x gt grandfather is that he married Betty Blackford in Yatton on 26 March 1765.

The other question is about the Jones line, Henry Jones (married to Sarah Taylor) was b1766 in Uphill to Henry Jones and Newity Lane, they married in Uphill in 1765, I have found Newity's parents again in Uphill, but where Henry came from is a mystery, can anyone help?

I have added a tree to these names under the Member Surname Interests.

Many thanks, and regards, Avis

Submitted by on Wed, 13/09/2017 - 19:30

I am going to Yatton tomorrow and will look in the churchyard just in case their graves can be seen- sounds like they must have been a couple of characters with Betty staying on there after her husband's death.
Has anyone tried the Somerset Heritage Centre for information? I emailed them but got an auto response saying they can take 21 days to answer!
PS I'm still working on Henry Jones (senior) and his origins...
Sarah x