David Jenkins Thomas of Lower Town

This study of David Jenkins Thomas is likely to have been taken by Henry Jackson of Fishguard who, in the 1870s through to the late 1890s took many photographs around Fishguard and Goodwick which give a wonderful window on life in the twin towns at that time.

This particular photo forms part of an album recently lent to Ein Hanes and you can view the original by calling in at Ein Hanes on Fishguard Square.

A notation alongside the image in the photo album tells us that is of David Jenkins Thomas. He was born in 1861 to parents Elizabeth and Thomas Thomas who was a carpenter. Unfortunately David was born partially blind and for much of his life as a result, was not able to work – on some census he was recorded as a pauper so life was certainly difficult for him. His father died when David was a young lad and so he was raised by his mother, Elizabeth together with his sister Mary Ann.  Elizabeth also had sight problems and in later life she herself became blind. Neither David nor his sister Mary Ann ever married. David died in 1939 in the Priory Mount Haverfordwest, which was the workhouse infirmary.