The first Davies in our family tree to settle in the United States was Richard Beman Davies.
He was born on April 6 th, 1854 in North Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales. Richard was the eldest son of Richard Davies, b.1824 in Montgomeryshire, Wales. Richard's father was a farmer and his ancestors lived in Montgomeryshire for at least 200 years previous.. Richard had three brothers and two sisters that we know about.
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Richard's father died from a sudden heart attack at the rather young age of 48. Richard was only 14 and his Mother, Mary (Morgan) Davies was left with 6 children to raise. It was a difficult time and Richard and his brothers had to go to work at an early age. Richard and his brothers while still in their teen years engaged in the popular sport of pugilism (boxing). Richard was extremely skillful at the sport and when in his early twenties became the boxing champion of North and South Wales.
Richard was married at the age of 20 to Jane. (I have not found Jane's maiden name as yet, it may have been Price.) Looking for a better life for his new family he immigrated to the USA in 1880. A cousin, who was a prize fight promoter in New York City, thought he could arrange for Richard to fight John L. Sullivan, who was the heavy weight boxing champion of the world at that time.
When Richard arrived in New York there were no immigration restrictions and no regulations in force. He picked up his belongings, walked from the ship, through Battery Park, and up the street to his cousins house. Fighting John L. was not as easy as Richard's cousin had suggested and he never fought for the championship. Through the years, Richard Beman trained many a young fighter in Columbus, Ohio, where he took up residence. Early members of the family related that Richard already had relatives living in this area of Ohio. Richard wasted no time getting a job. He first was a laborer and then he became a Columbus City Policeman. Between the years of 1881and 1885, Richard earned passage to the USA for his three brothers , Walter, Thomas and John, his sisters Susan and Sarah, his wife, Jane, and sons Thomas and Arthur, his daughter, Margaret, and his widowed mother, Mary. He made two trips back to Wales during this time, the second time returning with his wife and children.
Richard and Jane had three more children after arriving; Mame, born shortly after the trip from Wales, Stephan, who died an infant, and Rich Price Davies. When Richard was 48 years old he married a second time. Joesphine McNabb became his wife in 1899. They had two daughters. one died at birth and Sara Ellen, who died when 31 days old. A son was born April 5th, 1903 and was named Charles Edward Davies, (Eddie).
Harding Moran, Eddie's nephew relates this item for the story. "My grandfather Davies and his relations all lived close to each other on the west side of Columbus. When I was a young man as many as 10-12 Davies families all lived within a couple of blocks of each other. I'll always remember how each day, like clock work, at 4 o'clock, he would put on his suitcoat and dress hat, and walk down to the neighborhood bar to get his "bucket of Beer".
Eddie Davies gave this description of his father to his daughters; "He was a well built man with dark hair and striking eyes the color of a chocolate bar. I've never seen that color of eyes in anyone else."
From the many stories his children told about Richard, it was clear that he was a loved and respected father. Richard died, March 15, 1924, in Columbus, Ohio.
Elizabeth Jane "Hughes" Davies. She was a wonderful aunt to four generations of Davies children. Kind, understanding and principled, she always knew the right thing to say. She was born near Newtown Wales on May 9, 1868. She and her two sisters sailed for America in 1891 to visit their two brothers. When Jennie stopped in Ohio to visit old friends, on her way to Colorado, she met John Davies, brother to Richard Beman Davies. John shortly followed sfter her and they were married in Colorado. They returned to Columbus Ohio where later a son, John E. became Columbus City Auditor. Jane died in 1969 at the age of 104. On her 100th birthday, Gov. James A. Rhodes came by her home to wish her a Happy Birthday.
We should expect the best from mankind, as we do from the weather.Vauvenargues
"AUNT MAME"
Mary Elizabeth Davies b. 1885 d. 1963
"Aunt Mame was the first child of Richard Beman Davies to have been born in the USA. Her parents arrived in February of 1885 and she arrived in March of the same year. She was full fo life and energy, friendly, talkative, and happy. She also was scared to death of cats. Before she arrived for a visit the family would have to secure all cats. If a cat was about the yard, the neighborhood was in for some loud screams. Our family cared dearly for our aunts and uncles , so as far as I know, everyone repected the request to "hide the cats" in advance.
Aunt Mame, as once was the custom, was named Mary Elizabeth after her sister who died at a very young age, but she was always called Mame. She married Willis Smith and lived in Newalk, Ohio. They owned and operated a restaurent on the square accross from the courthouse. When Willis died, she became a nurse, and worked at the Newalk Hospital.
"When Aunt Mame visited our family in California in 1948 she took me on my first airplane ride in a plane with just room for the pilot and two passengers. What an exciting adventure for an eleven year old."
Vauvenargues
