The Plumber of Chester Street – Edward JONES

by Annette Edwards.

EDWARD JONES 1810 -1885

PLUMBER OF CHESTER STREET

Edward Jones was born about 1810 in Wrexham, his father was Henry Jones a victualler.

On 27 April 1841 Edward married Jane Davies at St Nicholas Church in Liverpool. Her father was Edward Davies a saddler. Jane had been born in Oswestry about 1814.

Marriage 1841

By 1851 Edward and Jane had 4 children, Edward 9, Mary Jane 4, William Daniel 2 and Selina aged 3 months They were living in Chester Street where he was a plumber and glazier.

By 1871 he must have expanded his premises as he is entered as 51/52/53 Chester Street, all his children are still at home. His wife Jane died on 5 March 1877 at their home. She was the 43^rd person to be buried in Wrexham Cemetery.

By 1881 Edward had quite an established business in Chester Street; he was employing 18 men and 6 boys. Mary Jane, William Daniel and Selina were still at home. Edward died in January 1885 and was buried with Jane. His business was carried on by his son William Daniel Jones.

DEATH OF MR EDWARD JONES, CHESTER-STREET. It is with regret that we this week record the death of a very old and respected Wrexham trades man in the person of Mr Edward Jones, plumber, of Chester-street, who died on Sunday at his residence, 39, Chester-street, in his 75th year. Mr Jones has been ailing off and on for the last eighteen months, and was suffering from paralysis, an attack of which he had about a month ago. From this, however, he rallied up to a week before his death, when he gradually succumbed, and expired, as we have said, on Sunday. He was skillfully attended by Dr. E. Williams, Holt- Street House. Mr Jones, although never filling any public office that we are aware of except that of overseer, always took a great interest in all matters affecting the town and was ever ready to promote its welfare in every way he could, taking an especial interest in anything connected with the municipal government of the borough. He was remarkable for his close application to business and was probably one of our most successful and enterprising tradesmen. Mr Jones leaves two sons and two daughters, and a large circle of sympathising friends to mourn his loss. His only near relative remaining apart from his own family is a brother, Mr Daniel Jones, who resides in London. The deceased gentleman was a native of Wrexham, and for many years had carried on the business in Chester-street, which, by his remarkable business tact, and strict integrity, he succeeded in bringing to a splendid and extensive undertaking. His whole life was a busy one, although he never yielded to the requests of his friends to seek municipal or other public honors. He exercised many unostentatious efforts to promote the good of his native town, and whenever the cause of charity came under his notice, Mr Jones was never wanting, and many there are in Wrexham who will miss in him a good friend in this respect. He was an ardent Conservative, and the cause loses in his removal a willing and indefatigable worker. The funeral, which was of a strictly private character, took place on Wednesday, when the remains were interred with every mark of respect in the new cemetery, Ruabon-road, the burial service being impressively conducted by the Rev. D. Howell, vicar, and the Rev. Llewellyn Griffith, rector of Deal, the funeral arrangements being entrusted to and satisfactorily carried out by Mr T. C. Jones, Church-street.

Their daughter Selina died at Parkgate, on 9 August 1899, she was quite well off and left effects of £2961 18s 3d. Selina was buried with her parents.

Over the years Edward was mentioned in the news papers. He was a man of many skills,

In December 1854 he had made a lead coffin for Mrs Thompson. (Edited)

THE LATE MRS. THOMPSON OF STANSTY. By the death of this amiable and most benevolent lady, the poor of this locality have indeed lost a most valuable friend and adviser. On Tuesday last the funeral took place, her remains being buried in St. John’s Church, Chester. A funeral service was performed privately in her apartments. The coffin, which was supplied by Mr. J. R. Gummow, architect, was of the most superb description, it was covered with the most superfine black cloth, studded all round with brass roses. There was a foliated cross on the top part of the lid inlaid with enamel, and the plate was engraved in medieval characters. At the feet was a shield bearing the monagram of the deceased. The leaden coffin, which was unusually strong, was supplied by Mr. Edward Jones, plumber, of Chester Street. Wrexham.

23 July 1864 (Edited)

MECHANICAL INGENUITY. All those who may be interested in the application of mechanical science to domestic uses would be edified by a visit to a farm house belonging to Lord Kenyon, called Borras Head, and the inspection of an improved hydraulic water ram erected there by Mr Edward Jones, plumber. The purpose of the ram is to supply water to the house. The former supply was insufficient and expensive, it was by carting in a barrel from a small spring in a field about 600 yards from the house. The inconvenience of this had become intolerable, and Lord Kenyon, with a desire to benefit an industrious and skilful tenant, Mr Goodfellow, availed himself of the skill of Mr Jones. This is, in the first instance, directed to the collection of the water of several small springs in a reservoir. This is made to work a ram by its own action, and this ram supplies the house about a quarter of a mile away, with about 1200 gallons of water a day—a supply so abundant as to afford, if it were applied more than enough for the demand of two such farm houses as Borras Head. Altogether the work is one of great ability, and reflects great credit on the artist.

28th May 1870. This seem to show that Edward was a firm but fair employer.

REFRACTORY APPRENTICE. Mr Edward Jones, plumber, summoned an apprentice named Joseph Crawford, for unlawfully absenting himself from his employ. Mr Jones said that his sole ground for bringing the case before the bench was the fact that he had a number of apprentices, and he found it necessary to enforce discipline in the interests of all as well as that of himself. Defendant had been refused permission to go to Chester races, not that he should not have a holiday, but because he (Mr Jones) did not consider he would be doing his duty to allow an apprentice to go to such places. Defendant had, however, gone off without his sanction, and hence the summons. Mr Jones did not wish to press the case further than was necessary to teach his apprentices obedience. The lad, as a rule, was a good lad.—Defendant admitted the offence.-The Chairman said that he had rendered himself liable to a penalty of £ 20 or a month’s imprisonment, but in as much as Mr Jones did not press the charge he was discharged with a recommendation to avoid such conduct in future, and to try to learn his trade well and to secure himself a good character.