◊ July 1892 - Death of Mr. James Edwards of Penarth - 'It is deep regret that we announce the death of Mr. James Edwards, the respected harbour superintendent at Penarth, the sad event having taken place at about four o'clock on Monday afternoon at his residence. The deceased gentleman had been in failing health for some time, and in the earlier part of the year spent some weeks at Malvern. He returned to his home at Whitsuntide, having apparently derived much benefit from the change of air and environments. Unfortunately, however, he contracted a chill some time ago, and this, acting upon a system already somewhat enfeebled by illness, developed into pneumonia. On Sunday week he was obliged to take to his bed. He was attended by Dr. Nell, Penarth, and Dr. Charles Vachell, Cardiff, who were most assiduous to their attention to the patient. On Thursday last an improvement took place in Mr. Edwards' condition, this being well maintained until Sunday night. A relapse occurred, and from this he, unfortunately, never rallied. Mr. Edwards was a native of Ebbw Vale, where he was born in 1837, being, therefore, at the time of his death, 55 years of age.
He joined the staff of the Taff Vale Railway Company in 1851, taking up a position in the office of the chief superintendent at Cardiff. He remained in that department for a number of years, gaining gradual promotions until finally he was appointed to the chief collector of dues at Penarth Dock on its being opened in 1865. Since that date the post has developed into that of a harbour superintendent, the duties of which Mr. Edwards filled to the entire satisfaction of all.
The deceased occupied a seat on the Penarth Local Board of Health since its formation, and for several years he was chairman of that authority. He had been in a variety of ways closely associated with the development of Penarth, and its gradual expansion into an important commercial centre. He was one of the promoters of the Penarth Slipway and the Windsor Slipway and Ship-repairing Yard, as well as of minor industrial undertakings.
Mr Edwards married in 1860, a daughter of the late Mr. Francis Price, who was for some time manager of the Blaina Iron Works. He leaves a widow and a family of seven children - five sons and two daughters - to mourn their sad bereavement, while two brothers also survive him, Mr. Edward Edwards, the respected cashier of the Taff Vale Railway Company, and Mr. George A. Edwards, who resides in the United States. The deceased gentleman was a member of the Church of England, and was associated politically with the Conservative party. Personally, he was a man of most engaging character, with a charm of manner that won for him universal popularity. He was widely known in Cardiff as well as in Penarth, and his premature death will cause a painful shock to his numerous friends and acquaintances.' - South Wales Star - [136] [325] - 29th July 1892.
Mr Edwards is listed as residing at Ash Cottage, Penarth within the 1868 Slater's Directory for South Wales [160] : -
'Dock Offices - James Edwards, collector ; Thomas Leyshon , inspector of traffic and coal shipments.'
Mr Edwards was involved in an earlier proposal to build a Penarth Pier as this article in the book 'Piers of Wales' by Martin Easdown and Darlah Thomas explains :-
'The rights to the pier were acquired for £100 by the Penarth Promenade & Landing Pier Company, formed by Messrs Edwards, Robertson & Company, Cardiff ship owners. The principal directors were James Edwards, Chairman of the Penarth Local Board, and Frederick Edwards, ship owners of Cardiff. The company had a share capital of £35,000 in 7,000 shares of £5.' This project was aborted and opposition from the TVR Co. and the Penarth Harbour, Dock & Railway Company claimed that it would interfere with vessels using the docks and harbour. [584]
