Talk:Sir Robert Thomas, 1st Baronet

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The people of Holyhead claim that Mynydd twr, at the edge of the town is the highest point in Anglesey, while the people of Llanfairynghornwy argue that the summit of Mynydd y Garn is higher. I heard a character from that area once supporting Mynydd y Garn because on the summit there is a three yard high monument and therefore the title should go to that mountain. I wouldn't like to be the one to try and settle the debate between the inhabitants of the two places. I have often read the wording inscribed on the monument on the summit of the Garn ¬"William Thomas 0 hen wehelyth Ty Wion yn y plwyfhwn, Uchel Siryf Môn 1897, Ustus Heddwch ym Môn a Chaerhirfryn, Meistr Tir clodwiw a rhadlon." - "William Thomas from the lineage of Ty Wion in this parish, The High Sheriff of Anglesey 1897, Justice of the Peace for Anglesey and Lancashire, a praiseworthy and gracious landlord." We should add that he was a ship owner and builder. Down below amongst a colourful patchwork of fields lies Hirgraig, in the parish of Llanrhyddlad, the home of William Thomas who is commemorated on the Garn summit. He was born in that smallholding on the 5th December 1837, the eldest son of the eight children of Robert and Catherine Thomas. He received better education than most at a nearby school; a pity that we have no knowledge of it.(I). When he was 5 years old he could read fluently in Welsh and English. When he was 8 years old a British school opened in Llanrhyddlad. He was considered a pupil teacher when he was 13 years old and he stayed there until he was 17 years old. Later on in 1904 William Thomas bought the old school and built four houses on the site. It is still called "School Terrace" today. William Thomas presented the village with a new school on the land of Ty'n Lon.

William Thomas, like so many others during the middle of the last century, left his home and ventured to Liverpool. He proved very soon to be an extremely able businessman. Venturing with two other persons, one from Amlwch and the other from Niwbwrch, they bought a ship. The venture was a resounding success and the company expanded. William Thomas' name became famous amongst the shipping companies of the period. Reverend R.R. Hughes of Niwbwrch used to talk about an old lady from Holyhead whose only topics of conversation were Jesus Christ and the Ships of William Thomas.

At the turn of the century William Thomas ventured into steam ships and was successful yet again. He realised his life's ambition with the profit - owning land in Llanrhyddlad, Llanynghenedl, Llangefni, and the jewel in the crown was buying Ty Fry in Pentraeth. He restored the houses and buildings and secured the boundaries. He then chose his tenants carefully, letting the farms at a reasonable rent. But William Thomas was not a man who was totally immersed in his business; he was extremely generous and obliging to the Liverpool and Anglesey community to which he belonged. His promise to a deacon from Llanrhyddlad has almost become a legend - "for each pound you collect I will give you two pounds to build a chapel at Llanrhyddlad". The chapel at Bethel Hen is testimony that William Thomas kept his word. He was a deacon with the Presbyterians in Liverpool for fifty years, he was the mayor of BootIe in 1893 and the High Sheriff of Anglesey in 1897. He was a Justice of the Peace for Anglesey and Lancashire and a member of the Management board of Bangor University.

He bought the famous library of Dr Owen Thomas, Princes Road, Liverpool containing seven and a half thousand books. In December 1891 he presented the library as a gift to the Theological College at Bala. It was a great pity that they sold the library in 1965.

His first marriage to Catherine Thomas, a Tailor’s daughter born in Liverpool, resulted in four children – Robert John, Margaret, William Melhuish and George Henry, and one daughter from his second marriage to Annie Hughes from Llangollen – Ethel Kenrick. According to the testimony of Ethel, her father was totally unassuming, quiet, with the rare ability to recognise the true personality and quality of people and things. Only the best was good enough for William Thomas, be it materials for the ships, furniture for the home or articles for the chapel. He had been born and nurtured in Welsh Nonconformity, and he was totally characteristic of the wealthy nonconformists of the time. Ethel Kenrick complained that her father was not given the credit or the attention he deserved, and probably much of this is true. Felix Folio Secundus (talk) 15:58, 22 November 2009 (UTC)
 * There is still a problem since the copyright status of the text needs investigation.--Felix Folio Secundus (talk) 12:58, 23 November 2009 (UTC)

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