“Colan Williams was baptised at Halsetown in 1858. His father was from Gwinear Downs (Gwinear, Redruth) and his mother was born Tregu/erthen (baptised at Zennor). They were married in St Ives, this was his second marriage.” (Margaret Stevens of St Ives)
Considering the inclusion of some of his music in the Zacharias and Edwin J Williams‘ collections, it seems likely that he was a member of this very talented family.
Colan was a composer of Cornish carols and other music.
He is said to have been a blind ex-miner.
“There are a lot of Colan’s carols in the Banfield MSS which is in the CMA collection at Kresen Kernow, as well as, I believe, in some MSS in the St Ives Museum too. Many of his carols are in the new St Ives carol book published by the Federation in 2021”. (Kate Neale)
“A Zacharius Williams was born c 1858 at Lelant and was living in Halsetown in the 1871 Census. They were in about the same age, ‘Cully’ was living at Trenwith Farm, St Ives at that time. He does not appear on the 1881 census, which must have been when he was abroad. He is recorded as being blind from the age of 29.” (Margaret Stevens of St Ives)