Born in Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, David Davis's first
business was a grocer's in Hirwaun which proved successful
enough to fund his move into the coal industry. His first
concern was a level at Cefn Rhigos, which he purchased in
1842, but he soon sold this to develop the larger Blaengwawr
Colliery, which was sunk in 1843. With the help of his sons
David and Lewis he expanded his business by opening Abercwmboi
Colliery and later a colliery at Ferndale in the Rhondda
Fach, a hitherto unexploited area. In 1865 Davis was a member
of a group of coalowners who opened a new dock at Penarth
in protest against the heavy charges levied by the Marquis
of Bute.
