In 1849, the disease had already struck the neighbouring communities of Rhymney in July and Nantyglo in August before reaching the town.
Along with John Frost and William Jones, he led a large column of men from the Nantyglo area to march south reaching the outskirts of the town Newport at about 9am; halting at St. Woolos church, then moving as a mass to Stow Hill, continuing to the square, and on to the Westgate Hotel, Newport.
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Williams was born near Argoed, Sirhowy Valley, Monmouthshire, Wales, with much of his childhood spent near the then village of Blackwood, also living for some periods in Caerphilly and Nantyglo.