I have not been able to find John Evan Jones on the 1861 census. He was listed, however, on the 1871 census. Here, his family's address was given merely as "Cwmamman". The property that the census taker next visited according to the census list, was Garnant House. This gives us a small clue as to the approximate location of his abode at the time.
The household in 1871 consisted of:
According to the census, John Evan and his brothers were born in the parish of Llanguicke, Glamorganshire. His Parents, on the other hand, were both born in the Parish of Bettws.
The 1881 census, gives the address, as the first of the Pleasant Row Cottages, next to Nantmain Cottage. The household, in 1881, consisted of John, his parents and his brother William. There was no mention of his brother David.
The Overman at the inquest said that John Evan Jones had been working at Pwll Perkins for 5 years by the time of the accident.
The Poem by David Aubrey Lewis refers to John Evan as the Sweet Singer. Part of the inscription on John Evan's headstone includes an "Englyn" which translates as follows:
"The good life of John Evan Jones was beautiful
Throughout it all to Jesus:
Oh! That an accident quashed
The charm of his song, oh, dear Siôn (i.e. John)"
John Evan is buried at Hen Bethel Chapel, Glanamman, with his Father, who died on 24th August, 1887 and his Mother, who died on 22nd June 1892. His grave is situated between the Chapel and the old stables. The full inscription on his headstone is as follows:
ER COF AM
JOHN EVAN JONES
UN O'R DEG A CYFARFYDDASANT A'U DIWEDD
TRWY DORIAD
RHAFF PWLL Y GARNANT,
BOREU YR 16 O ION 1884
YN 31 OED
OES FAD JOHN EVAN JONES FU YN HARDD IAWN
DRWYDDI OLL I'R IESU:
OW! I DDAMWAIN DDIDDYMU,
SWYN EI GAN O SION GU.
HEFYD EVAN JONES, EI DAD
A FU FARW AWST 24, 1887,
YN 61 OED
"BYW MI YW GRIST A MARW SYDD ELW"
HEFYD MARY, GWRAIG YR UCHOD
EVAN JONES, A FU FARW
MEHEFIN 22, 1892
YN 67 OED
John Evan Jones headstone at Hen Bethel
Hen Bethel, Glanamman, Feb 2006
Census Doc Refs: