Family tradition was that he and his sister Mary Jane were orphaned and sent to England to a rich English aunt who put her working as a skivvy in her boarding house. Later research suggests that this relation was Jane Davies (nee Sefton) & that she may not have been at all rich & may have acted in the interests of the 2 children. Went to sea for a while. Was in the US for a short time. Listed in English census of 1881 as lodger at 18 Ellison Street, Hedworth, Monkton & Jarrow. Described as Naval reserve (seaman RN). In the house were Edward & Jane(Sefton)Davies & their 2 children. Listed in English 1891 census as living in 23 Swindon Street, Hebburn, Ct Cuthbert. described as 'holder up' The riveting men were arranged in gangs, each gang consisting of two riveters, one holder-up, and three boys. Two boys were stationed at the fire or portable forge, and one with the holder-up. This boy’s duty was to receive the red-hot rivet with his pincers from the boy at the forge, and insert it in the hole destined for its reception, the point protruding about an inch. The holder-up immediately placed his heavy hammer against the head of the rivet, and held it firmly there, while the two riveters assailed it in front with alternate blows, until the countersunk part of the hole was filled up, after which the protruding head was cut off smooth with the plate, the whole operation scarce occupying a minute. In riveting the double part of the ship the holder-up and his boy were necessarily in the interior part of the tubes, and passed the whole day in the narrow space between in comparative darkness, having only the glimmer afforded by a single dip candle, and being immediately under the deafening blows of the riveters. He married Helen McNair - 1245, ? 1891. Born 1863 in Newcastle Northumberland.