Jane Davies was born in Llanwrst about 1808 and by 11 August 1830 she was in Wrexham where she married Frederick Roberts, also from Llanwrst at the parish church. The witnesses were George Roberts and Susannah Davies, all present signed their names.
The couple went back to Llanwrst for a short time then moved to Oswestry where 3 children were born, by 1843 they were back in Wrexham, they moved to Chester Street where Frederick was a miller, then to College Street where he was a provision dealer for a while, before ending up in 2 Abbot Street where he was a miller and baker.
In 1863 an advert shows that Frederick had recently moved.
14 March 1863
TO LET—That new and commodious SHOP, with Plate Glass Front, situate on the Ruabon Bridge, now in the occupation of Mr F. Roberts, doing a good trade in the provision line suitable for any business. Nearly 5 years’ lease unexpired.—Apply to F. Roberts, No. 2 Abbot-street.
In July 1876 Jane died at their home, and an announcement in the Llangollen Advertiser tells of her last wish.
DEATHS. July 20 th, aged 68, Jane, the beloved wife of Mr. Frederick Roberts, Abbot-street, Wrexham. Deceased was sister of the late Mr. Lewis Davies, an eminent bard, who left this country for America about the year 1830. She was a consistent member with the Calvinistic Methodists from her childhood, and was enabled, by divine grace, to adorn the doctrine of God, her Saviour, in all things. She was preparing for the great change, as she had a presentiment that her departure was not far hence. Her death was rather sudden.
On Monday week, a blood vessel in her head was ruptured, and on the following Thursday her spirit left this terrestrial scene for the happy land beyond the Jordan of death. A few days before her demise, she and her niece, Mrs. Rees, took a stroll to the beautiful new cemetery of Penybryn, which has but lately been opened, and, in passing a certain spot, she remarked to Mrs. Rees, “When I die, be sure to bury me in this place.” On Monday last, her wish was complied with, when a considerable number of relatives and friends came together to follow her mortal remains to their last resting-place, when the Rev. Thomas Francis officiated at the house, and the Revs. H. Barrow Williams, and H. Jones, Llangollen, at the grave. This was the second burial in the cemetery. Great sympathy is felt with Mr. Roberts in his sad and sudden bereavement. During most of the day, all the shops in the neighbourhood of Abbot Street were partly closed and blinds drawn.
The above article states that Jane was the second burial, but the Wrexham Guardian states that Jane was the first since it was officially opened.
THE FIRST INTERMENT IN THE NEW CEMETERY, since its formal opening, took place on Monday, when the remains of the wife of Mr Frederick Roberts, Abbot-street, Wrexham, were consigned to their last resting-place.
Wrexham Cemetery opened in 1876. The first burial was of Ethel Irene Prichard but Ethel’s burial took place in April 1876, when the Cemetery was neither finished or consecrated. It was not until 3rd July that the Cemetery was officially opened and the Bishop of St Asaph consecrated the site.
Later that year Frederick decided to sell his shop.
Sale of valuable Freehold House and Shop in Abbot street, Wrexham. MR SNAPE has been instructed to offer for SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION, at the Lion House, Wrexham, on FRIDAY, December 1st, 1876, subject to commissions to be then, produced, all that desirable Freehold HOUSE, SHOP, and BAKEHOUSE, being No. 2, Abbot-street, Wrexham with the Yard and Out-offices, thereto belonging, and now in the occupation of the owner, Mr Frederick Roberts. These Premises are well situated for business purposes, being nearly at the entrance to the street which is the resort of great numbers of people from the Ruabon, Rhos, and Minera districts. A successful trade as Refreshment Rooms and Confectionery Shop has been carried on for the last 17 year in these premises. Sale to take place at Three o’clock. Further particulars may be had from the Auctioneer, Lion House, Wrexham.
25th November 1876 Wrexham Guardian
Frederick moved away and married again, it was announced in the Wrexham Guardian. 20 January 1877
ROBERT-REES On the 8th inst., by licence at Bangor Cathedral, Mr Frederick Roberts, to Mrs Leah Rees, both late of Abbot-street, Wrexham. On the marriage entry it states that Leah was a widow and the daughter of John Jones a printer.
She had previously been married to William Daniel Rees.
Wrexham Advertiser. 14 July 1858
REES – JONES. On the 17th inst. at the Calvinistic Chapel, Abergele, William Daniel Rees. Esq., Towyn, Merionethshire, to Miss Leah Jones, daughter of Mr John Jones, bookbinder, Rhyl. William Daniel Rees was a joiner and in 1861 was in Ruabon with Leah aged 30 who was from Llanwrst. He was 32 and born Tywyn. In March 1864 he died aged 37 and was buried in Toxteth Park Cemetery. He was probably working there at the time as were many Welsh builders.
Frederick and Leah moved to Colwyn Bay, but on 26 April 1880 his death was announced in the Wrexham Advertiser.
ROBERTS—April 26th, aged 75 years, Mr Frederick Roberts, Colwyn Bay, late confectioner, of Abbot-street Wrexham.
Researched by Annette Edwards. With help from Cari Pugh. October 2019.
Grave ref: Wrexham Cemetery H-02095
