Ambrose Taroni and his family are typical of the families that lived in the town during the rapid industrialisation of the 19th century. Searching the census records from 1841 many families can be traced, especially  families with unusual names.

It can be fascinating to follow the families ‘from the cradle to the grave’ find out who they married and where they found work.

Ambrose Taroni was an immigrant, born in Turin, Italy around 1801, who decided to settle in Llanelli before 1832. It is not clear why he chose Llanelli. Possibly he knew a sailor who sailed from the Mediterranean to Llanelli or he may have been a sailor himself who met a Llanelli girl and decided to stay.

The Public Records Office at Carmarthen hold the Parish Registers and a perusal of the Llanelli Parish Church marriage records, reveals that Ambrose Taroni married local girl Mary David on 27 July 1832. Ambrose was able to sign his name but Mary was only able to sign her mark. This was not unusual because at that time education for girls not born with a silver spoon in their mouth was out of the question.

The 1841 census shows Ambrose as living next door to London House, Thomas Street, and working as servant for Jane Chalinder the Innkeeper. Jane had recently been widowed (she later married John Eynon). The evening the census was taken Mary Taroni and her three children Mary Anne, David and baby Anthony were not staying with Ambrose but were next door with John and Catherine Davies and their family.

Note: When the 1841 census was taken Ambrose was working for Jane Chalinder next door to where his wife and children were living. He was listed as a male servant so he probably only became involved with the Post Office when Jane married John Eynon.

By the time of the 1851 census Ambrose, Mary and their children, Mary Anne, David, Anthony, Celina, Rosilia and Francis were living in John Street. This was not the John Street we know today because it was situated between Thomas Street and Gilbert Street. Ambrose now aged 47 had been promoted to Letter Carrier and his son David aged 14 years was an Office Boy.

During the early industrialisation of Llanelli diseases were prevalent and many families lost babies and young children.

In 1855 Mary Anne Taroni lost her newborn baby and sadly, two years later on 2 December 1857, the Taronis, buried their youngest son Francis, aged just 11 years old.

Times were difficult and Cholera was rampant and on 7 September 1861 they buried their baby daughter just 6 months old. The records show that baby Agnes was not baptised which must have caused great consternation for her Catholic father.

Note: In the 1861 census David Taroni was no longer shown as an Office Boy. By now he had a wife, and probably decided to work in the Tinworks to earn more money.

In July 1861 local Postmen who were still called Letter Carriers and were given new uniforms. The Cambrian newspaper reported that Ambrose Taroni the town Letter Carrier and Dawkins the Seaside Letter Carrier were to have their scarlet coats set aside in favour of blue coats with scarlet cuffs and the letters GPO worked in white on the collars. The country post-office messengers were not given uniforms and wore their private clothes.

Ambrose decided to retire in 1864 and Mr Leyshon arranged a testimonial for the townspeople to show their appreciation for the many years of service given by the Italian letter carrier.

Ambrose and his wife Mary had had their share of tragedy but happier times were ahead when their son Anthony aged 24 years married Rosanna Rees, also aged 24 years, on 5 June 1865. Anthony was described as a Bachelor living in Edward Street and he was a mariner. Anthony’s father Ambrose was described as ‘Letter Carrier’ and Rosanna’s father Herbert Rees was described as ‘Collier’. Rosanna was described as ‘Spinster’ and she lived in Swansea Road.

In 1871, Ambrose aged 68 and Mary aged 66 were living at 1 Edward Place with their two unmarried daughters Marian (Mary Anne) aged 35 and Gisella aged 13, and their grand daughter Margaret Harries aged 12 months. Marian was unemployed and Gisella was described as ‘Scholar’. Ambrose was no longer a Letter Carrier, he had gone into ‘sales’ and was described as ‘Hawker of Trays, Pictures, &c’.

By 1877 Ambrose and Mary had moved to Gilbert Street where Ambrose died on 21 February 1877 aged 76 years and Mary, now aged 70 years died in the same year on 15 June.

Llanelly Guardian

The Pembrey, Kidwelly, Loughor, Pontyberem

& Cross Inn Reporter & General Advertiser for Wales

Thursday 7 April 1864

Testimonial To Taroni

We wish to call the attention to the testimonial to Taroni the old Postman which is new afoot, trusting that all who can will avail themselves of this opportunity to testify their feelings of regard to so old and faithful a public servant. Contributions will be received by the Secretary Mr E Leyshon or any of the Committee of the Testimonial Fund.

Over the years many other Italians came to Llanelly and the telephone directory reveals many Italian names, but there is no Taroni listed.

Marriages

27 July 1832 Ambrose Taroni of this Parish (Llanelly) married Mary David of this Parish (Llanelly) Signed Ambrose Taroni, Mary David X

5 June 1865 Anthony Taroni age 24, Bachelor, Mariner of Edward Street, Father Ambrose Taroni, Letter Carrier, married Rosanna Rees age 24, Spinster, of Swansea Road, Father Herbert Rees, Collier

Burials

1 March 1855 Infant Son of Mary Ann Taroni, aged 4 days.

2 December 1857 Francis Taroni of Edward Street , aged 11 years.

7 September 1861  Agnes Taroni of Edward Street, aged 6 months, not baptised.

21 February 1877 Ambrose Taroni of Gilbert Street, aged 76 years.

15 June 1877 Mary Taroni of Gilbert Street, aged 70 years.

Llanelly & County Guardian

7th August 1879

EYNON - 31 July at the Thomas Arms Hotel, Llanelly, after 27 hours illness Mr John Eynon late Postmaster aged 66 years.

Note

Post – A fixed place or stage on a road for forwarding letters and change of horses.

Postman – A public letter carrier

Posting House or Post House – the dictionary explanation is a house where a horse is kept for posting.