Transcript:
The picture we are looking at now is a picture of my grandfather, John Thomas Leighton, who was born in 1865 and died in 1936. His occupation was a blacksmith. He was a son of Enoch Leighton who kept the Hawarden Castle pub. My grandfather was an apprentice to John Hughes who had the smithy at the bottom of Raven Square at the corner of Holywell Street and Mount Street. He then took over from John Hughes and started his own business but he was forced to move from Raven Square to Aimes' Yard at the top of Church Street because they were demolishing the smithy. The other picture shows my grandfather and he is working on a wheel which I think is called tyreing a wheel. My grandfather is seen standing outside what is now the Plaza Bingo Hall which was the site of his smithy in Aimes Yard. In the background you can see the Hawarden Castle pub, now demolished and the site of the present day library.
your comments
Viv Thomas, Nottingham
Steve Tamburello, I believe Edward Cartwright was the brother of Charles Cartwright. Edward was 16 years older than Charles however they were both Blacksmiths as was their father. Edward was married to Ellenor and had three daughters: Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Edward was the oldest of seven children who were all born in Halkyn. These details are shown on the 1871 Census. They were living in Efel Barcey at this time. I believe the father died in about 1868 to 1869. Margaret, the mother, was living with her son Charles at The Old Toll Bar in Hendre aged 77 in 1901.
Tue Nov 4 08:37:05 2008
Steve Tamburello, Manchester
On similar lines my great grandfather, David Wynne from Rhesycae, was an apprentice blacksmith in Nannerch in 1890. I have his original indenture. The blacksmith was called Edward Cartwright. I know my gt grandad carried on in the trade as I have a photo taken years later in a workshop. Does anybody know about the blacksmiths in Nannerch or the Cartwrights?
Tue Sep 30 08:29:28 2008
Lyn Buckley
What a nice bit of history, Stan, lovely to see your ugly mug!
Tue Mar 20 15:47:21 2007
Paul Greenlees, Cheshire
My g-g-grandfather was called John Hughes and he was a blacksmith in Flint during the 1870s and 1880s. He lived in Church Street. He seems to have died around 1882 to 1884. May be this is the same John Hughes that you mention in the article?
Mon Aug 7 11:17:03 2006
Barry Dolman from Greenfield
Enjoyed film clip and story, ex Flinter.
Mon Jul 10 09:37:37 2006
Trevor Ames, Manchester
I believe the spelling IS Ames Yard. It was run as a smithy by Thomas and Sarah Ames, who are in my family tree. Rebecca, if you ever get chance to see this posting, please contact me through Genes Reunited.
Wed May 17 07:40:17 2006
Rebecca Black from Liverpool
I am very interested in your mention of Aimes Yard, as my great grandfather James Molyneux is listed in the 1851 census as an apprentice blacksmith living with his grandmother Sarah Ames (born Flint 1779) and her brother in law and 4 sons who are all blacksmiths. Could Aimes Yard have been where they lived?
Wed Apr 19 12:47:55 2006
Dennis Leighton from Telford
Nice to see that the family is receiving special attention and the local knowledge is particularly helpful.
Thu Mar 9 14:30:26 2006
Mick, Flint
Nice one Stan
Wed Mar 1 13:17:44 2006
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