Francis Sargent

[Dannemois]

When 33 year old Francis Sargent sailed on the SS Cedric from Liverpool on 17 Oct 1912 heading for New York, he was travelling as a member of the Gwent Glee Singers, a choir of twenty-one Welsh coal miners on tour to sing for the Welsh American communities.  The event was reported in the New York Times as follows   

The New York Times published Oct 17, 1912:
“The Gwent Male Glee Singers, a famous Welsh choir, will sail from Liverpool on the Cedric to-day.  They will make their first appearance in America at Carnegie Hall on Monday evening, Oct 28, together with Cristeta Goni, the juvenile Spanish violinist.”

When a native of our community namely Ernest Hares departed for America in 1922 the manifest recorded that he was visiting friend Frank Sargent, Indiana.  So it begs the question, did Frank (Francis) Sargent remain in America or did he leave with the choir only to return another day?

How long were the choir in America, at what venues did they perform, I would appreciate anything on the Gwent Glee singers on this tour and information on Francis Sargent in particular would be a bonus. 


Thanks in advance
Roy

[merjones]

I found newspaper articles about the Gwent Glee Singers in the years 1912 through 1917.  And covering a multitude of states:  New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin.

[merjones]

Here's a Frank Seargent that might fit:

1920 East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana

Frank Seargent, age 40 born abt 1880, England, both parents England, married, immigration year 1912 millworker, steel mill
Florence Seargent, age 34 born abt

[Dannemois]

Hi Merjones
Thanks for your reply; are you saying the Glee singers were in America for the period 1912 through to 1917.  If that is the case then boy that was some tour.  Regarding Frank Sargent [Seargent] the age fits, I wonder if his wife was American?.

Any other info you unearth will be gratefully received.

Regards, Roy

[merjones]

Daily Free Press, July 28, 1915 Carbondale, Illinois

Members of Royal Gwent Glee Singers were on Torpedoed Liner - Lusitania

The Gwent Singers are all native Welshmen and it was after a year spent touring America that they had returned to their native heath and were again en route to America that the great disaster was staged.

[merjones]

It appears Frank Sargent survived the Lusitania and continued on the America in 1915.  Also, his wife's name is Florence.

Arriving New York July 12, 1915 on the "St. Paul"

Members of the Gwent Glee Singers

Frank Sergent age born abt 1881, vocalist, address in Wales:  Florence Sergent, 116 High Street, Blackwood

[merjones]

The 1920 Census says that Florence was also born in England and immigrated ind 1918.  There is a record of Frank going back in 1922:

August 6, 1922 passenger from New York to Southampton

Frank Sargent age 44, steel worker, traveling to visit 1 Railway St. Newport

[merjones]

1930 CENSUS East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana

Frank Sargent, born Wales, shipping clerk at steel mill
Flora Sargent, born Wales
Gwendolyn Sargent age 10

It looks like their daughter went to Wales:

July 9, 1938 traveling from Montreal, Canada to Liverpool, England

Gwen Sargent age 18, student going to address:  1 Railway St. Newport, Monmouth.

October 22, 1939 traveling from Southampton to New York

Gwendolyn Sargent born June 14, 1920 living at 1909 136th Street East Chicago, Indiana

Gwendolyn J. Sargent, born June 14, 1920 died May 31, 2006 Highland, Lake County, Indiana

[merjones]

SS Death Index

Frank Sargent,Last Residence:46312  East Chicago, Lake, Indiana, United States of America
Born: 18 Jun 1878
Died: Mar 1968

From "The Times" March 3, 1969 Hammond, Indiana

In Memoriam

In loving memory of our beloved husband and father, Frank Sargent, who departed this life one year ago, March 3, 1968.  The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. WIFE AND DAUGHTER.