The 1841 census records WH as aged 45 and living in Tai Newydd with his wife, Ann, and children Jane, Robert, William and Richard. His occupation is given as Parish Clerk. In 1851 he is recorded as living alone [on census night at least] on Smithy Square, and his occupation is given as Parish Clerk and Joiner. His pa. of origin is Llanbedr-y-Cennin.
However, his business interests seem to have encompassed far more than joinery alone. In an invoice of 1856 he is described as 'timber, coal, tile, brick and slate merchant, wholesale brewer and porter dealer, importer of foreign wines and spirits'. In addition he appears to have had agricultural interests. His son William Junior took over some, if not all, of these interests, especially that of timber merchant.