The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-15
Stanley's Boybood Career
as Told by Baltimore Man

THE REV. D. T. PHILLIP. o.
Broadway Baptist Church, Bal
L timore. published the following
interesting letter on Stanley's boyhooc
home. in the year 1870. when the ex-
plorer's fame was at its height:
although all of your readers are ia
miliar with the adventures of Henry
NJ STANLEY. yet few, 1 presume, are ac-
quainte,l with his childhood career
While student at HaYerfordwest Bap-
list College, South Wales. 1 Travelled one
autumn through Flintshire, Denbigh-
shire Herionethshire. and the Liverpool
district to collect funds toward the sup
pot of my alma mater.
aAmong other villages and towns
visited stanley's birthplace. l well re-
member the cottage where he was ecrn.
For reasons satisfactory TO himself
John Rowland. alias H. NJ. Stanley. does
not refer to the home of his nativity.
some years ago. when there was de-
bate in the various journals in reference
to his nationality. he published a letter
in the London Times that he was an
American citizen
L have evidence that Stanley is a
thorough Welshman- His mother s
maiden name was Betsy Parry. She was
born in one of the ruins of Denbigh
Castle, North Wales. His fathers name
was John Rowland, of Llys. who was
born near the same antiquated locality.
The father. who was a carpenter. died
when his son was young. his mother
She married again. her second husband
being Robert Jones. Welshman. who
was a slater and plasterer.
Before her death. in the spring of
1886, Stanley's mother kept the Cross
Foxes. a tavern in the parish of Gias-
COED, near BodeIwyddan Castle, IN the
Vale of Clwydd, the most picturesque
spot in Wales. Ny friend. John W.
Jones, the late editor OF the 'Drych.
Welsh weekly journal published in
Utica. y. Y, visited her two years prior
to her death. and to him she related sew
eral new facts in reference TO her son.
Mr.. Jones was accompanied by Evan
Jones, Of 'Sylw Fam, a scheolmate of
Stanle..
Well Educated and Full of Spunk.
She said that Henry NJ. Stanley
John Rowland) was born In a little
within a portion of the old she'll
OF Denbigh Castle in 1S41. He lived in
his cottage home for three years, and
then the family removed TO ST Asaph.
where they lived ten years, and where
obtained a good education She
stated that her son was a lad of I'M
usual talent, noted for his indomitabIe
and that he could whip lad
twice his size.
He was sent to St. Bueno's Well.
where he stayed with an
aunt. his mothers sister. His stay here.
however. was brief. as he quarreled
with his cousin
The eldest son at st. Bueno-s Well.
another cousin. kept school at Mold.
a town where 1t was nv
privilege TO preach and collect in behalf
Of my college. Stanley, who was at
that early age a good scholar. was en-
ployed as subteacher in his cousins
school.
Here. too. his stay was short. The
two cousins could not agree. Matters
came to a crisis when Stanley's cousin
him to clean his shoes. This
was too much humiliation, and Stanley
TO his aunt at st. Bueno's
Well. where he resided a short time.
Ran Away to New Orleans.
His next removal was 10 Liverpool.
where he lived with another aunt. and
found employment as a clerk In
butchers store Wearied with this
life. he asked a captain at
The Sailors Home for employment and
was engaged as cabin boy. Stanley did
not tell his aunt of his intentions to go
sea and when he left be put his old suit
Of clothes over his best one His vessel
was bound for New Orleans
Stanley was accepted for the voyage
10 and from New Orleans. but not be-
ng satisfied with his treatment on
board. he escaped from the vessel as
soon as she arrived in port In New
Orleans he was attracted by the fanil-