JAMES JONES was born in Wrexham about 1849 and was the son of Gomer Jones and Mary Jones who were both from Minera. Gomer was a book binder. The family moved from Holt Street to Kenrick Street which was later renamed Bank Street.
In early 1870 James married Elizabeth Jones who was from Barmouth. By 1881 they were living in Chester Street and had 4 children. The printers shop was in Bank Street.
10th June 1881
FIRE. On Thursday night week, a very serious fire was discovered to have broken out on the premises of Mr. James Jones, printer, Bank-street. The alarm was given by Mr. Jones, who discovered the fire, and at a quarter to eleven a detachment of the Fire Brigade were on the ground and the flames, happily attacked in time, were soon subdued. The damage done is very serious, but the place and plant are insured with the Alliance Company. The fire is supposed to have started under a pair of double frames which were reduced to charred masses, whilst the type in the cases and around the office was melted in very large quantities. The rollers in the office were all melted and a large quantity of paper was destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. The conduct of the Brigade is worthy of all praise for its promptness, and the police, under D.C.C. Wilde, rendered efficient service.
17th September 1881
VERTICAL STEAM ENGINE AND BOILER FOR SALE, also an Egg-end BOILER. Will be sold cheap, there being no further use for them. Apply to JAMES JONES, Printer, Bank-street, Wrexham.
The “egg end “boiler was a large horizontal tube with domed ends. It held water and was supported by a brick structure that contained a fire box and flue to create steam. The vertical steam engine would also have been a big piece of machinery.
Later that same year James had two premises in the town and had branched out into the “travel” business.
12th November 1881
WANTED
Persons who intend going to any part of AMERICA or AUSTRALIA, to call upon JAMES JONES, Printer, Bank-street, or 12, York Street, Wrexham (the authorised Agent for all the best Ships), who is prepared to give every information, receive deposits, and issue both Ocean and Rialway Tickets to Passengers BEFORE LEAVING WREXHAM. PASSENGERS are BOOKING WEEKLY. WHEN SIX OR MORE PASSENGERS ARE BOOKED FOR THE SAME SHIP MR JONES ACCOMPANIES THEM, SEES THEM ALI.RIGHT ON BOARD THE SHIP.
James developed a very nasty illness, Epithelioma was a malignant tumour and treatment at the time must have been very unpleasant. Erysipelas was a bacterial infection which in Middle Ages, was referred to as St. Anthony’s fire. This led to Syncope which was a form of passing out when the bloody supply to the brain is affected. Sadly James didn`t recover and died leaving Elizabeth with 8 children, the youngest was only about one when his father died.
17th September 1887
THE LATE MR JAMES JONES.—We have to record the death of Mr James Jones, printer, at the early age of thirty-nine, at the Royal Infirmary, Liverpool, where he had undergone an operation for Epithelioma of lower jaw, under Drs. Banks and Warke, The operation was most successful, but
Erysipelas setting in he died of syncope at 4.30a.m. on Friday. During the week Mr Jones had been visited by his wife, father, and other members of the family and friends, and was expected to recover. The body was conveyed to Wrexham by the 5.20 p.m. train on Friday, the undertaking arrangements in Liverpool being in the hands of T. McGuire, Oldham-street. A large number of friends met the train at Wrexham Station, and accompanied the body to the deceased’s residence, Copthorne House, Ruthin Road, from which the funeral started on Monday afternoon at four o’clock, the interment taking place at the New Cemetery. The officiating minister was the Rev. Mr Jerman, who conducted a short service at the house before leaving for the Cemetery. At the mortuary chapel the service for the dead was read by the minister and Mr Phennah offered prayer. A large number of friends and business men of the town attended the funeral, and there was also received a number of wreaths and letters of condolence. The deceased leaves a widow and eight young children.
James had made a will and left effects of £39 10s 5s.
Elizabeth carried on with the business for a while, but another fire occurred in Bank Street.
30th December 1887
FIRE AT A PRINTER’S. On Friday evening, about a quarter past nine. o’clock, a fire was discovered on the premises of Mrs. James Jones, printer, Bank Street. The members of the fire brigade were soon on the spot and succeeded in extinguishing the flames but not before a large quantity of type and several rollers had been melted, and the floor of one of the rooms burnt through.
In 1891 Copthorne House was to let, and Elizabeth was living in Hightown Road with her family.
She died in June 1899 at Caia Villas and was buried with James.
Researched by Annette Edwards. July 2020.
Grave ref: Wrexham Cemetery M-03749
