BOOK REVIEW

David Mills, (2018)
William Davies, Blackwood Shopkeeper and Chartist

 

Following on from his biography of William Foster Geach, solicitor and stepson of John Frost, David Mills has now produced a biography of William Davies of Blackwood, who became John Frost’s son-in-law. In his book David examines the machinations of both the government and its lawyers and the London Chartists. It reveals a trail of intrigue by both sides. The catalyst for this latest book was the article ‘Finding Chartism in the family: William Davies of Blackwood’ (Sarah Richards, Journal of Gwent Local History Council- Chartist Anniversary Edition, 2014, pp89-94).

 

On his 21st birthday (28th March 1839) William Davies accompanied Henry Vincent when he travelled from the Blackwood area to Stroud, where they later met up with John Frost. Prior to that date William Davies had become imbued with the People’s Charter and actively supported the movement in the Blackwood area. He had known John Frost for some years because he had accompanied his father, Roger Davies on business trips to Bristol where they used to meet Frost, who also went there on business.

 

William Davies was present at the fateful secret delegate meeting that took place at the Coach and Horses, Blackwood on 1st November 1839 . In what capacity he attended that Friday meeting is not known. On the Thursday and Saturday before the march, Davies had been given money from lodge funds to buy guns in Newport, where he viewed weapons but did not buy any. He also acted as a courier for John Frost’s wife by taking letters from her to her husband, who was based at Blackwood during the days immediately prior to the march. Davies’s other known involvement was to arrange transport for “a man from the North” from Newport to Blackwood, where the stranger met with Frost.

 

Significantly Davies did not take part in the march on Newport. He was arrested at Canterbury on his way to Paris. At Newport on 5th December 1839 he was committed for trial on charges of conspiracy and riot, but was released on bail and was technically free to go wherever he wished. Sometime in mid-December 1839 he decided to turn Queen’s evidence. His depositions are contained in the Chartist Trial Documents (Magistrates Examinations 5 Nov - 7 Dec 1839) at Newport Library. But his evidence was never given at Frost’s trial. Davies disappeared on an unknown date just before Frost’s trial took place. Despite his re-emergence in November 1840, he never faced any of the charges made against him; the Attorney General thought it better to let sleeping dogs lie, much to the annoyance of the Newport magistrates. Henry Hetherington and other Chartists in London had “looked after” him during his absence. Did the Government turn a blind eye to Davies’s disappearance? David Mills’ conclusions suggest they did.

 

In July 1842 Davies married Frost’s daughter Ellen and for a few years they continued in business, as drapers, in Blackwood. Eventually the family emigrated to Australia. Ellen and her daughter returned to Britain in 1858, but William remained there until his death on 19th November 1890. Davies died at Melbourne in an institution for the destitute, recorded as being an accountant - a mystery man until the end.

 

David Mills is turning stones and revealing matters that deserve close attention. This self-published book is available for sale, contact for details: davidmills0512@gmail.com

 

Penwill 2019