Buscan fama y fortuna

Isaiah White senior was born in the Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England on 11th June 1826.  He was one of seven children born to George White and Alice Lewis. He was baptised on 9th July 1826 in Littledean Parish Church in the Forest.  His father George was a carpenter, and at the time of the 1841 National Census in England he and his family had moved to Maesteg, Glamorganshire, Wales.  George's two eldest sons John and George were carpenters like their father, but Thomas, William, Isaiah and Isaac all worked in the local Maesteg Ironworks as Engineers.  The only daughter Mary was at home.

Littledean Parish Church, Forest of Dean

Many stories are told in England of men going to seek work and their fortune, perhaps in America, but none seem to be told where the destination was Spain.  However, a little research shows that Andalucia in Southern Spain received many immigrants from various countries.  Jacob Chivers made his fortune after purchasing a lead mine near Cartegana, and then returned to Wales to purchase an ironworks near Kidwelly, and became a major employer and benefactor in the town.  Inspired by such stories, no doubt,  Isaiah set sail for Spain around 1850 to seek his own fortune.  He became Isaias White and was seemingly very successful, eventually becoming a Spanish citizen.