Robert Thomas

A coal contractor from west Wales who moved to Merthyr Tydfil and took an annual tenancy from the Earl of Plymouth for a small level at Waun Wyllt near Abercanaid. Barred by his lease from selling to the local ironmasters, he built a house-coal trade to Merthyr and Cardiff by the Glamorganshire Canal, and his level was the first to reach the Four Foot steam seam. He married Lucy Williams at Llansamlet in 1802 and they had eight children; he had earlier been a contractor of a coal level supplying Cyfarthfa Ironworks. He died in 1833.

In the archive

• Lessee · Waunwyllt Level (to 1833) — Took the tenancy and opened the level; barred by its terms from selling to the four local ironworks.

Sources

1. Lucy Thomas (businesswoman), Wikipedia
2. Lucy Thomas Colliery, Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 28 September 2026 · Last researched: 28 September 2026