| Born in Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, David Davis's first business was a grocer's in Hirwaun which proved successful enough to fund his move into the coal industry. His first concern was a level at Cefn Rhigos, which he purchased in 1842, but he soon sold this to develop the larger Blaengwawr Colliery, which was sunk in 1843. With the help of his sons David and Lewis he expanded his business by opening Abercwmboi Colliery and later a colliery at Ferndale in the Rhondda Fach, a hitherto unexploited area. In 1865 Davis was a member of a group of coalowners who opened a new dock at Penarth in protest against the heavy charges levied by the Marquis of Bute. |
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