Commercial Travellers/ Sales Reps

[Rachel Bowen]

I have an ancestor who was at first a Schoolmaster in a British School in South Wales, and Later 'Book Traveller" - still in South Wales in 1871. In another census (I can't remember which one), he is recorded as Book Traveller, Castillion.
Now when I search the internet for Castillion or any variant, I come up with nothing which relates to books. All my other searches have proved equally fruitless relating to this company. I believe it would have sold School and/ or religious book, as we had so many connections with the church and education.
I have tried every possible combination of words and come up with nothing.

Does anyone have any info which can help, please?
The Ancestor's name was John William Bowen, living in Aberystruth, Monmouth in 1871, with wife Carrie (Caroline), son Richard (2), son David Jones  (2 months) and a visitor who must have been Carrie's sister, niece or cousin as she, like Carrie was born in Machen.

I'll double-post this in the Wales section.
Sincerely,
Rachel Bowen (Pook)

[wendy47]

Hi Rachel

Looking at the 1881 Census John Bown is a commercial traveller staying with a Grocer & his family. Are they relations?

The word looks like Conillion which is a Brazilian coffee

(Robusta Coffee; syn. Coffea robusta) originated in the western part of Africa. This species of coffee beans is widely grown in Africa and Brazil where locals called it as Conillion. The French colonist led the way of cultivating this particular healthy coffee species around late 19th century.

Do you think John would progress form books to Coffee Doesn't seem likely though.

All the places he stayed at seem to have grocers invovled. 1901 & 1891

Just a thought

Good luck

Wendy47

[Rachel Bowen]

Hello,
 Thanks for your thoughts. John William Bowen was  not related to the grocer's family where he was lodged the night of the census, although his wife was born Caroline (Carrie) Jones of Machen.

He had nothing to do with the grocery business, and I decipher the name of the company as Castillion.
I'll have another look at the census returns and think again.

[Rachel Bowen]

John William was staying at the Star Inn in Llanover in 1881 - recorded as Visitor, Commercial Traveller, but no other details.