William was baptised on 15th September 1861 in Pitney, Somerset by his parents William & Susan Rue. He had three older sisters although
his parents had also had two sons and two daughters who had died young.
In the 1871 census William can be seen as a 10 year old labourer living in Pitney with his parents.
William appears to be in the 1881 census twice. Firstly he is listed as a 18 year old labourer living in Pitney with his parents and their grandson
the 8 year old Thomas.
He also appears in the Bute Arms in Llantrisant, Glamorgan as a 19 year old general servant with the innkeeper Daniel Evans, his wife and two further female servants.
It is likely that he was living between the two homes at the time.
On 15th August 1882 William married Elizabeth Goodwin from Merthyr in Cardiff register office. They were both 21, he a farm labourer and she a servant. They were both said to be living in Caerau.
On 24th May 1883 they had their first son, William James Rue. They were then living in Tynyeaia, Lanillid. William snr is still given as a farm labourer.
Their second son, Goodwin was born on 18th November 1885 when William is again given as farm labourer, but now the family live at New Mill, Llantrisaint.
In the 1891 census the family are living in no 28 Loftus Terrace, Llantrisant. William is aged 28, and although gives an occupation I can’t read it!
(something like Pu??famat). With him is Elizabeth, 28 and the two boys aged 8 and 5.
On 2nd November 1897 the 34 year old William marries Sarah Davies, again in the register office in Cardiff. he is described as a
bachelor! He is again a labourer and was living in The Bridge Inn in Ely. She was a 32 year old spinster from Cathedral Road in Canton.
It appears that William’s first wife moved away with a new man, Albert Clemson sometime between 1891 and 1897. William and Elizabeths’ second son, Goodwin dies in 1898 aged 11 in Warrington. She appears in the 1901 census with Albert Clemson and her son William James Rue, all in Warrington. No marriage has been found for Elizabeth and Albert Clemson.
William and Sarah have their first child, Violet Ellen born in 1898 in Cardiff. It is possible they then had a Albert/Alfred in 1900 who died whilst still a newborn, although I have yet to categorically prove this.
In the 1901 census William aged 40 is at 91 Chard Road, Cardiff with his wife Sarah and 2 year old daughter, Violet. He is a coal hewer working
on his own account.
William and Sarah then have George, born on 4th August 1902 in Aberavon and Edith born in 1905.
In the 1911 census William a 42 year old small haulier is living at 117 Main Street, Cardiff with his wife Sarah (46) and their children the 12 year
old Violet, George, 8 and Edith 6. This census shows that they had 4 children of which only 3 are still living. This supports the theory of Albert/Alfred who was born and died in 1900 and also that William took no further part in the lives of the two children he previously had with Elizabeth Goodwin.
William died towards the end of 1933 in Cardiff.