The Story of Lewis Davis. (A true Prince of Wales) |
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| Part 1 2 3 4 Lewis Davis, the third son of Mr David Davis of Blaengwawr, was born at Hirwain, on 21st June, 1829 and died at Langland Bay on 1st January 1888. Aged 58. |
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| When very young, books became his daily companions; he cultivated an appetite for reading, which continued to grow with his own growth and to live with him all through life. Their influence on him was permanent, and in his wanderings through the world they lived in his life; they consoled, comforted and strengthened him. He looked upon them as the great legacies of the greater minds and the noblest possession of true manhood.From childhood the Sunday school, the services at the Wesleyan Chapel at Hirwain, the preachers who were regularly welcomed to his home, the choir and those who took public part in the services to him were of paramount interest. |
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| After successfully passing through the various educational institutions within easy reach of home he proceeded to Wesley College, Sheffield. Dr Waddy was the governor and assisted by an eminent staff of teachers, the young Welshman speedily realised the benefits of the institution. While at Wesley College, and some time after, it was the intention of his parents that he should enter the legal profession, and on leaving college he proceeded to a solicitor's office. The confinement in the office for eleven hours each day, together with the drudgery of law books, was more than his system could withstand. He gave up the legal profession and joined his father in the family business, the London Warehouse, which was developing into one of the most important business houses in the district. | |
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In 1851, his father removed himself from the London Warehouse to concentrate on the new colliery development and went to live at Blaengwawr, Aberdare, with his wife. Lewis and his sister Jane, continued to reside at Hirwain, having charge and full possession of the business which their father had developed at the London Warehouse. About a year later Jane married Dr. Thomas of Glyn Neath, and went to live in Australia; Lewis married Miss Morgan, the Graig, Merthyr Tydfil. With the exception of Lewis, all the other members of the family had left Hirwain and were settled in their new homes. |
| The departure of such a large and influential
family was a great loss to the district, although just a few miles away in Aberdare his
parents were actively involved with the erection of a new Wesleyan Chapel and an
elementary school for the children of their workmen, encouraging the extension and
improvements of the town, and all other religious and philanthropic institutions
throughout the district. At Hirwain, Lewis Davis was recognised by all to be a great moral force. His intelligence and activity with his interest in all educational and national institutions, and his sage wisdom, were of great value to the people. He was present at the prayer-meetings; few cottage-meetings were held which were not attended by him; he visited the sick, the poor, the needy; his voice was often heard in the homes of the dying; and his sympathy and gifts, which, without knowledge of the left hand, were given to those in trouble, cheered many, and filled his soul with joy. Contd... |
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