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Sir Tom Jones and Box Suggested by John Froud May 2021 We don’t usually publish details of famous people who live in Box out of respect for their privacy. The same applies when they have relatives who live in the area. But when the celebrities publicise it themselves, it’s a different matter. Listen to the amazing podcast below, when the world-famous singer refers to his Box connection at the recording time of 2 minutes 45 seconds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v9v8 The mother of Sir Tom’s father was born in Box and his aunt continued to live in the village in the twentieth century. On occasion he would visit her. Sir Tom often came to Box to record in Real World Studios after they were started in 1990. Courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/raph_ph/41713294292/in/album- 72157695502428854/ |
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Tom Jones’ Ancestors
We can add to the story of Sir Tom’s ancestors.[1] Working backwards, we can see that his parents were Thomas Woodward (31 March 1910 – 5 October 1981), a coal miner, and Freda Jones (30 December 1914 – 7 February 2003). They weren’t themselves involved with Box village and lived most of their lives at Treforest, Pontypridd, South Wales. However, the parents of Thomas Woodward (1910-81) were English; the father, James Woodward (1869-), was a haulier from Snowshill, Gloucestershire, and the mother Ann Gane (1870-), a cook, from Box.
Tom Jones’ maternal grandmother Ann Gane left Box and moved to Wales before her marriage to James Woodward at Pontypridd in 1896. Ann was the third child of John Gane (1840-), quarryman labourer from Monkton Farleigh, and Elizabeth Ford (1843-1926). Elizabeth, the mother of Anne Gane , married John Gane on 26 December 1926 in Box. Her father was John Ford (1809- 1866) and her mother Jane Woodman (1812-1889). John Ford is my great great grandfather and also great great grandfather to Tom Jones.
In 1871 the Gane family lived at Longsplatt, Kingsdown. John was sometimes a stone carter and was prosecuted by the parish authorities for injuring the surface of the road by using a roughing chain round the front wheel of a stone wagon.[2] In his defence, John said that he was working for quarry owners Messrs Stone & Co, hauling stone down Box Hill. He claimed that it was necessary to use the chains in wet conditions for the safety of the horses should the cart plummet downhill, but the magistrates rejected this, claiming that he should have used a different route.
We can add to the story of Sir Tom’s ancestors.[1] Working backwards, we can see that his parents were Thomas Woodward (31 March 1910 – 5 October 1981), a coal miner, and Freda Jones (30 December 1914 – 7 February 2003). They weren’t themselves involved with Box village and lived most of their lives at Treforest, Pontypridd, South Wales. However, the parents of Thomas Woodward (1910-81) were English; the father, James Woodward (1869-), was a haulier from Snowshill, Gloucestershire, and the mother Ann Gane (1870-), a cook, from Box.
Tom Jones’ maternal grandmother Ann Gane left Box and moved to Wales before her marriage to James Woodward at Pontypridd in 1896. Ann was the third child of John Gane (1840-), quarryman labourer from Monkton Farleigh, and Elizabeth Ford (1843-1926). Elizabeth, the mother of Anne Gane , married John Gane on 26 December 1926 in Box. Her father was John Ford (1809- 1866) and her mother Jane Woodman (1812-1889). John Ford is my great great grandfather and also great great grandfather to Tom Jones.
In 1871 the Gane family lived at Longsplatt, Kingsdown. John was sometimes a stone carter and was prosecuted by the parish authorities for injuring the surface of the road by using a roughing chain round the front wheel of a stone wagon.[2] In his defence, John said that he was working for quarry owners Messrs Stone & Co, hauling stone down Box Hill. He claimed that it was necessary to use the chains in wet conditions for the safety of the horses should the cart plummet downhill, but the magistrates rejected this, claiming that he should have used a different route.
Children of John and Elizabeth Gane of Box
The family of John and Elizabeth Gane were close-knit and the couple stayed at Kingsdown in the years 1881 to 1901. They later appear to have lived near Totney Cottages, Kingsdown. Including Ann, there were at least six children, the oldest being Albert John (1866-1957), farm labourer, later carter. Albert John married Alice Robinson (1 January 1869-1954) from Chipping Sodbury in 1891. In 1911 Albert and Alice lived in 3 rooms at Kingsdown, next door to Albert’s widowed mother Elizabeth. The Kingsdown properties were also occupied by the extended family: Elizabeth with her niece Mary Gane (1898-) and Albert and Alice with their niece Primrose Robinson (1903-). In the 1939 Register, we can identify where they lived as their house was recorded as 4 Prospect Cottages and this is where Albert appears to have died in May 1957.
Next door to Albert and Alice in 3 Prospect Cottages was their daughter, Rose Rosina Alice (usually called Rose) (19 August 1892-1972). She married Joseph William Cale, a GWR permanent way heavy worker in 1913 and they were living in number 3 in 1939.
The family of John and Elizabeth Gane were close-knit and the couple stayed at Kingsdown in the years 1881 to 1901. They later appear to have lived near Totney Cottages, Kingsdown. Including Ann, there were at least six children, the oldest being Albert John (1866-1957), farm labourer, later carter. Albert John married Alice Robinson (1 January 1869-1954) from Chipping Sodbury in 1891. In 1911 Albert and Alice lived in 3 rooms at Kingsdown, next door to Albert’s widowed mother Elizabeth. The Kingsdown properties were also occupied by the extended family: Elizabeth with her niece Mary Gane (1898-) and Albert and Alice with their niece Primrose Robinson (1903-). In the 1939 Register, we can identify where they lived as their house was recorded as 4 Prospect Cottages and this is where Albert appears to have died in May 1957.
Next door to Albert and Alice in 3 Prospect Cottages was their daughter, Rose Rosina Alice (usually called Rose) (19 August 1892-1972). She married Joseph William Cale, a GWR permanent way heavy worker in 1913 and they were living in number 3 in 1939.
Prospect Cottages in the 1920s (courtesy Eric Callaway)
Their second child, Mary Jane (1868-1948), married Frederick Arthur West (1869-1934), quarryman, on 5 August 1899. Frederick’s family lived at Kingsdown, Box where his father was a quarryman. After their marriage Frederick and Mary lived at 3 The Firs, Kingsdown, next door to Kingsdown Post Office. We get some view of how difficult it was to earn a living in the quarrying industry when Frederick had to sue his employer George Williams for his wages of £1.19s.3d in 1887. Williams agreed that he owed the money but was unable to pay.[3] Frederick and Mary left Wiltshire shortly after 1902 and set up home at 144 Coedpenmain Road, Pontypridd, where Frederick was working as a Stone quarryman in 1911, probably on daywork (contracted and paid daily only).
Whilst some members of the family sought quarrying work in Wales, John and Elizabeth's fourth child Edwin decided to stay in Box taking employment on even lower wages as a shepherd. He joined a union, the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, but died when only 30 years of age. He appears to have been a popular person and his funeral procession comprised thirty members of the Shepherds-on-the-Avon Lodge of the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds carrying their crooks.[4] They processed from the house to the cemetery where there was a committal at the graveside (a shepherd’s funeral) conducted by the officials of the local Lodge. They were joined by quarrymen from the area and members of the Kingsdown Working Men's Club.
Peter Ford Added
The story of Tom Jones’ visit to Box in the mid- to late-sixties was witnessed and related to me by Bert Hinton, who I believe, lived at Number 5, Prospect. Bert’s daughter Beryl and her husband Stan Hampshire, certainly lived at Number 4 at that time.
Albert John had died in 1957 and Sir Tom visited his aunt, Rose Cale, who was living at number 3 at that time. Sir Tom is also reputed to have visited his cousin at Rudloe, possibly to Dougie Gane who lived at Hazelbury Hill, Box, and who may be related to the Ganes mentioned.
Whilst some members of the family sought quarrying work in Wales, John and Elizabeth's fourth child Edwin decided to stay in Box taking employment on even lower wages as a shepherd. He joined a union, the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, but died when only 30 years of age. He appears to have been a popular person and his funeral procession comprised thirty members of the Shepherds-on-the-Avon Lodge of the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds carrying their crooks.[4] They processed from the house to the cemetery where there was a committal at the graveside (a shepherd’s funeral) conducted by the officials of the local Lodge. They were joined by quarrymen from the area and members of the Kingsdown Working Men's Club.
Peter Ford Added
The story of Tom Jones’ visit to Box in the mid- to late-sixties was witnessed and related to me by Bert Hinton, who I believe, lived at Number 5, Prospect. Bert’s daughter Beryl and her husband Stan Hampshire, certainly lived at Number 4 at that time.
Albert John had died in 1957 and Sir Tom visited his aunt, Rose Cale, who was living at number 3 at that time. Sir Tom is also reputed to have visited his cousin at Rudloe, possibly to Dougie Gane who lived at Hazelbury Hill, Box, and who may be related to the Ganes mentioned.
Of course, little Box village is honoured to count Sir Tom as having ancestors here. He will never read this but, if he should, can we please ask: have we always misunderstood the words of the song "The Green, Green Grass of Home", and that it was really a reference to Box?
Gane Family Tree
John Gane (1840-), quarryman labourer, married Elizabeth Ford (christened 4 June 1843-1926), the fourth of nine children of John Ford (1809-1866) and Jane Woodman (1812 – 1899). They lived at Kingsdown. Children:
Albert John (22 January 1866-12 May 1957), farm labourer, later carter married Alice Robinson (1 January 1869-) in 1891. Children: Rose (1893-), Emily (1895-), Mary (1898-), and Alice (1904-). In 1911 they were caring for their niece Primrose Robinson (born 1903 at Marshfield);
Mary Jane (1868-1948) married Frederick Arthur West (1869-1934) on 5 August 1899. They had a child Ivy (1902-);
Anne sometimes spelt Ann (1870-) married James Woodward (1869-);
Edwin (1874-1903), quarryman, later shepherd;
Bessie (1876-) and
Louise (1879-).
Annie Gane and James Woodward’s children:
Edwin James (1897-1968);
Mary Elizabeth (1899-);
George (1902-1987);
Elsie (1904-);
Keziah (1908-1979);
Thomas John (1910-1981).
Thomas John (1910-81) married Freda Jones (1914-2003) in 1933, Children:
Sheila Woodward (1934-)
Thomas John Woodward (Sir Tom Jones ) (1940-).
John Gane (1840-), quarryman labourer, married Elizabeth Ford (christened 4 June 1843-1926), the fourth of nine children of John Ford (1809-1866) and Jane Woodman (1812 – 1899). They lived at Kingsdown. Children:
Albert John (22 January 1866-12 May 1957), farm labourer, later carter married Alice Robinson (1 January 1869-) in 1891. Children: Rose (1893-), Emily (1895-), Mary (1898-), and Alice (1904-). In 1911 they were caring for their niece Primrose Robinson (born 1903 at Marshfield);
Mary Jane (1868-1948) married Frederick Arthur West (1869-1934) on 5 August 1899. They had a child Ivy (1902-);
Anne sometimes spelt Ann (1870-) married James Woodward (1869-);
Edwin (1874-1903), quarryman, later shepherd;
Bessie (1876-) and
Louise (1879-).
Annie Gane and James Woodward’s children:
Edwin James (1897-1968);
Mary Elizabeth (1899-);
George (1902-1987);
Elsie (1904-);
Keziah (1908-1979);
Thomas John (1910-1981).
Thomas John (1910-81) married Freda Jones (1914-2003) in 1933, Children:
Sheila Woodward (1934-)
Thomas John Woodward (Sir Tom Jones ) (1940-).
References
[1] We are indebted to Peter Ford for much of the family research and for anecdotes about Sir Tom's Box ancestors
[2] The Wiltshire Independent, 13 July 1865
[3] North Wilts Herald, 20 May 1887
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 19 November 1903
[1] We are indebted to Peter Ford for much of the family research and for anecdotes about Sir Tom's Box ancestors
[2] The Wiltshire Independent, 13 July 1865
[3] North Wilts Herald, 20 May 1887
[4] The Bath Chronicle, 19 November 1903