Les James – A SNIPPET from The South Wales Daily News 11 Feb 1890

 

The South Wales Daily News reported the death in 1890 of Cllr. William Evans, chain maker at the Old Dock, who in his youth made weapons for the Chartists in the anchor work shop (known as the Emlyn Works). It was situated in Lower Cross-street, where Newport’s Leisure centre stands today.

 

DEATH OF A NEWPORT TOWN COUNCILLOR.

 

The numerous friends of Mr William Evans, chain maker, of the Old Dock Newport, will regret to learn of that gentleman's sudden death, which took place in London on Sunday evening, whither be had gone to receive treatment for a painful malady. It is stated that Mr Evans had a week or two before undergone an operation for fistula, the disease from which he had suffered, and for a time got on well, but at last succumbed to the disease. The deceased was a well-known and respected member of the community. He was many years ago elected as one of the Newport representatives on the board of guardians. In 1885 he was returned by the South Ward to the council chamber, and held the confidence of the burgesses, who again elected him in 1888. Mr Evans was 69 years of age at the time of his death, and leaves behind him five grown-up children. In politics be was an ardent Radical, and always championed the cause of the poor and the oppressed. He was associated with the Chartist movement in 1849, and it was in his workshops, then situated in Lower Cross-street, or Mills parade, that many of the pikes and other weapons were fashioned with which the Chartists armed themselves. He lived to see nearly every demand made by the leaders of that ill-starred movement granted as a result of constitutional agitation.

 

South Wales Daily News 11th Feb 1890

 

Born 1821, William was 18 years old in 1839

Transcribed by Les James