Some of the information below is by Rowena Evans and some by Rhiannon Roberts.                                                                           
It can also be found on  http://www.melin-y-coed.co.uk/  which is well worth a visit.
It is used here with permission.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY OF GORSEDD GRUCYN

 
Above: Gorsedd Grucyn

The Williams family of Gorsedd Grucyn (by Ken Davies)
Records of the Census Enumerators 1841 - 1901

1841 saw agricultural labourer Owen Jones, 42 married to Elizabeth 41 living at Gorsedd. They had three daughters Gwen 10, Hanah 7, and Elinor 4. Jane Davies was their 55 year old servant.

David Davies 39 of Llanwrog and his wife Catherine 32 of Llanfair, were there for next two censuses in 1851 and 1861. There were no children present in either periods, but nephew Price Williams 4 of Llanbibley was there (named Pierce in 1861) as a cowman aged 14 in the latter. Robert Jones 27 of Llanrwst was a farm labourer, and Jane Williams 15 a house servant of Llanrug in 1851, but they had moved on ten years later as Jane Thomas 19 of Llanrwst was there as the dairymaid.

1871 recorded Owen Williams family at Gorsedd.

Owen Williams 31, born Trewydr formerly lived at Tan Y Graig in 1841 with wife Gwen 29 and daughters Margaret 7 and Catherine 1. Wife and all children are recorded as born in Llanrwst in all censuses.

By 1851 Owen 41, farming 67 acres of land and Gwen 39, who was named Winifred on the census, kept home for Margaret, 17, Ann 8, William 7, Jane 4 and Thomas 1. Catherine 11 was not at Tan y Graig then.

In 1861 Owen and Gwen’s family at Tan y Graig consisted of Catherine 21, a house servant at home, Ann 18, a dressmaker, Jane 13, Thomas 11 and Hannah aged 4.

Before 1866, Owen and his family moved to Gorsedd, where he farmed 67 acres. The census for 1871 shows him aged 61 with wife again called Winifred 59, with his family of Thomas Williams 21 (also known as Grucyn the bard), Robert 19, Jane 23 married with a daughter Winifred 1, daughter Anne Owen 28, also married with a daughter Winfred 2 who was born in Ffestiniog, and a granddaughter Hannah Williams 14. Hannah died aged 23 and was buried on the 15th December 1879. Owen also had an infant son (name not known), who died aged 14 months and was buried on June 20th 1872.
Daughter Jane would eventually move to Bryniog, Grove Park, Colwyn Bay, where she died on January 14th 1916 as Mrs Jane Edwards aged 68. A poetical tribute was written in her memory by brother Thomas Williams ‘Grucyn’, and appears in the ‘Penillion Thomas Williams’ Link on this website, recalling their Tan Y Graig days.

1881 showed Owen aged 75 at Gorsedd with wife Winifred 69, sons Thomas 31 and Robert 29 both recorded as farmers. Granddaughter Winifred Jones 12 remained there (mother Jane not in residence) and grandson Thomas John Williams 1. Anne Jones 20 of Dolwyddelan, worked as a dairymaid. Daughter Anne who was at Gorsedd in 1871 is, 10 years later, recorded as living with her husband William Owen 38, born Trewydr, at Tanrallt, Llanrwst with children Winifred 12 and Thomas J. 3, both born in Ffestiniog and Hannah 7 months, born Trewydr. William’s occupation is described as an engine driver, stationary at Rhos Quarry, Capel Curig.

Owen Williams died aged 80 and was buried on the 8th December 1889 at Capel Seion, Llanrwst.

In 1891 Thomas Williams 41, was head of Gorsedd, following the death of his father, with his mother, now called Gwen, aged 80. Working there was a 21 year old dairymaid from Dolwyddelan, Jane Jones – she would marry Thomas. Farm servant David Jones 17 of Dolwyddelan and John Jones 16, a labourer, also worked there. Nephew Thomas John Williams 11 was still in residence, but died aged 16 and was buried on September 29th 1896.

1901 and Thomas Williams, 51 had living with him, his wife Jane 31, 20 years his junior. Their family at the time consisted of Owen 8, Humphrey 7, Robert John 6, Winifred 4, Hannah 2 and 8 month old Jane. She died and was buried on November 3 1922 aged 23. Thomas and Jane also had an infant son Thomas 3, who died and was buried on August 8th 1896.

Thomas’ mother Gwen, at a ripe old age of 91, was also there. She died aged 94 and was buried on the 24th February 1904. All spoke Welsh.


HISTORY OF THE FAMILY AFTER 1901

After 1901 – what happened to the family?

Owen a farmer, later lived at Ty Hwnt i’r Afon, Gwytherin – he never married.

Humphrey, or Wmffra married Ellen and lived at Railway Terrace, Llanrwst.

Bob continued to farm Gorsedd and died in 1975 – he remained a bachelor.

Winifred married Idwal Glyn Davies, and lived in Llanrwst, Hannah married Peter Williams, and lived at Ty’n y Bryn, Nant y Rhiw and later Hafoty Gwyn, Pentrefoelas, and Jane remained unmarried and had a daughter Annie Gwenfron around 1919.

Twins Mair and Joseph were yet to be born.

Thomas and Jane also had another two sets of twins who were still born.

Thomas Williams died on the 21st November 1923 aged 74.
Sadly, he lies in an unmarked plot at Capel Seion, Llanrwst. He is buried with his parents Owen and Gwen, an unnamed brother, children Hannah, Thomas, Jane, and nephew Thomas John.

Wife Jane who died on the 14th April 1953, aged 83, is buried at Cae Melwr Cemetery, there being no room for her to rest with her husband at Capel Seion.

Jane's original headstone bore the name of Thomas Williams, but his name was removed when the latest stone was placed there, as Thomas was not buried there.

Buried with her are sons Robert John Williams who died May 11th 1975 aged 80, Joseph Williams who passed away December 21 1991 aged 80 and Annie Gwenfron Davies, died October 15, 1987 aged 68.

Jane Jones was allegedly born on a mountain path near Dolwyddelen around 1870. Her birth was never registered. Her age was accepted as 60 by Somerset House because they accepted that she was the same age as Mrs Evans, Fronwen.

Jane is thought to have been the daughter of David Jones, a blacksmith in Dolwyddelen, but I have been unable to confirm this. She lived at one time in Tan Yr Eglwys, Dolwyddelen.

OBITUARY OF JANE WILLIAMS (NEE JONES)
Jane's obituary reads:

Mrs Jane Williams of Gorsedd Grycun, Nant y Rhiw, Llanrwst who died on Tuesday week, was the mother of 17 children.

The ten surviving sons and daughters together with some of Mrs Williams’ 26 grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren were among the relatives and friends who attended a short service at the farmhouse on Saturday. Interment was at the public cemetery Llanrwst.

Mrs Williams was a native of Dolwyddelan, but had lived at Gorsedd Grycun for nearly 70 years. She was a member of Nant y Rhiw Congregational Chapel. Her husband, Thomas Williams (Grucyn), died 30 years ago. He was a well-known local bard whose elegiac poems gained him considerable repute.

The service at the house was conducted by the Rev. Byron Hughes, Melin Y Coed, and at the graveside by the Revs Byron Hughes, Enoc T. Davies and W.E. Thomas.

The chief mourners included Messrs. Owen Williams, E. Humphrey Williams, Robert John Williams, Joseph Williams and Ifor Cynwyd Williams (sons); Mr & Mrs Emrys Williams, Mr & Mrs Ynyr P. Williams (sons and daughters in law); Mr & Mrs Peter Williams, Mr & Mrs Hywel Jackson, Mr & Mrs Robert D. Roberts, (daughters and sons in law); Mr I. Glynne Davies, (son in law), Mrs I.G. Davies (daughter in law); Mrs A.G. Davies, Miss Ceinwen Davies, (granddaughters); and Tom E. Davies, (great grandson).

Six of the sons were the bearers, assisted by Messrs. Cadwaladr Roberts, Idris Jackson, Elwyn Jackson, Elfed Williams, William Owen Davies and T. Glynne Davies, grandsons.

Floral tributes were sent by Bob a Joe; Annie, Ceinwen a Tom bach; teulu Ty Hwnt i’r Afon; Humphrey; teulu Foty Gwyn; Mair a Bob; teulu Cil Owen; Ynyr Ceridwen a’r plant; Sally a Hywel; Ifor a’r plant; Gwen, Glynne a’r plant; William a Jean; Idris, Megan a Beryl; Tom, Mair a Gareth bach; Dwalad a Rhianwen; Alwena a Caradog; Elwyn, Gwen a David; Blodwen; Alun; Nowie a Humphrey; Maggie a’r teulu, Birkenhead a Llundain; teulu Foty Fawr; teulu Fron Wen; teulu Bron Haul, Bryn Seion; Bob, Myfi and little Christopher, St Asaph; all at Brookfield; Stan, Eirwen a Dewi bach; Liz ac Evan, Maes Gwyn; Lorna a Phyllis, Brookfield; Llanrwst postmen.

JOSEPH AND MAIR
 
Joseph Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn, with Welsh mountain ponies.


Above: Wedding of Mair Williams and Robert David Roberts 1928

Finally, twins Joseph and Mair appeared on S4C television shortly before Jo died 1991. They had been invited by Ysgol Gynradd, Llanrwst to attend their school Christmas Nativity play as their names were very fitting for the occasion.

Jo recalled his mother Jane making ‘tymblan pwdin’ which was ‘gwerth chweil’. She said that bringing up the twins was no trouble at all, and his mother was in her element having the family around her, particularly on Sundays. Jo and Mair recalled their Christmas presents as children being a pair of socks, an apple and an orange each. Jo was the youngest of his generation in the family - a generation the likes of which we shall, sadly, never see again.

SCHOOL PHOTOS WHICH INCLUDE GORSEDD CHILDREN

Photo above is of pupils at the Nant y Rhiw School approximately 1916/17.
Back Row: Wil & Jane/Jinnie Bryn Gwynt? Katie Evans Fronwen,
Next row: Elias WilliamsTyddyn Du; ?Robert John, Tyddyn Llywarch; Dei Gwninger, Nellie Fronwen, Maggie Jones Gallt yr Efail (d/o John Jones); ---- - Mair Gorsedd Grucyn; -----; Emrys Gorsedd Grucyn, ----- Bob, Tecwyn Williams Tyddyn Du; Robert Ifan Hughes Clytiau Teg; Gwilym Jones Pant Glas & Carreg Coedog; Gretta Davies Garth Hebog; Maggie Carreg Coedog; Maggie Garth yr Efail; Gruffydd and Ted Williams Tyddyn Du; Jo Williams Gorsedd Grucyn; Ynyr Gorsedd Grucyn; -----?; Dei Fronwen (fifth from left seated on bench); Sam Hughes, Clytiau Teg; Glyn Williams Tyddyn Du; Elizabeth Ann Fedw; Phoebe Jones Ty Newydd NYR; Addie Davies Garth Hebog; Annie Blodwen Gwninger, and her brother.

Above: Nant y Rhiw School: Back: Tommy Garth y Pigau; Sam Clytiau Teg; Glyn Tyddyn Du; Ynyr Gorsedd Grucyn; Dei Fronwen; Tommy Garth Pigau; Marged Edwards Bryniog Plas; Annie Eluned Tyddyn Du; Phoebe Garth y Pigau; Hannah Elin Tyddyn Du; Elizabeth Ann Fedw; Annie Ceridwen Fronwen: Dilys May Ty Newydd; Hannah Parry Rhiw; Miss Jones, Teacher; Bertie Ty Newydd; Sam Hughes Clytiau Teg; Annie Jane Ty Mawr; Mary Elizabeth Williams Tyddyn Du; Annie Gwenfron; Ted Jones Garth y Pigau; David Trebor Tyddyn Du; Dei Jones Garth y Pigau (killed in Army); John Edwards Bryniog Plas. Fred Jones Head Teacher. Miss Jones Teacher.


THOMAS WILLIAMS GORSEDD GRUCYN (by Rowena Evans)

 

Some years ago the local community paper "Yr Odyn" carried an article in Welsh about Thomas Williams, written by Dafydd Evans who at one time lived at Plas Matw and was at school at the same time as Thomas Williams' children. Although Thomas Williams had limited formal education, he read and wrote Welsh well, and read every Welsh periodical he could, such as "Y Faner", "The Banner". To read the big papers of the day opened wide he had to hold them at arms' length, and in the evening hold a candle with one hand at the same time.  Left: Thomas Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn, in Llanrwst.

His memory was exceptional and he contributed regularly to the Welsh journals himself as a poet, composing memorial verses about people he knew. His Bible was ever close to hand, and he remembered what he read. After hearing a sermon, he would be able to repeat it to someone else during the week. His daughter Winnie was the mother of poet T. Glynne Davies, who won the Crown in the 1951 National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst.

 Above: Jane Williams and Ynyr

Doing the shopping in Llanrwst meant not only riding his pony to town, but actually riding it into E.B. Jones' shop to pick up his supplies. He would ride home with a sack slung across the pony's back in front of him, bread at one end and groceries at the other end.

Farming was his life. He tilled the land to grow oats, barley, potatoes, and swedes for the family and animals. The roads then were such that a threshing machine could not be taken to Gorsedd, so Thomas Williams threshed it himself, and was an expert at the task. His oats were clean enough to take to the Gwytherin mill, where it was turned into oatmeal. This was a staple food in the region in those days, and was used to make "brwas", shot, porridge and flummery (sour oatmeal boiled and jellied). A pig supplied the family with bacon.


Above: Gorsedd Grucyn

At one time local families were discussing the possibility of building a school in Nant y Rhiw (left) and the likelihood of there not being enough pupils. "You build the school," Thomas Williams declared, "and I will see you have pupils." He kept his promise and twins Joseph and Mair , Ynyr, Emrys and Bob Williams attended the Nant y Rhiw School along with the children of Nant y Rhiw.

The Williams boys used to call William Evans of Fronwen "dewyrth", uncle, though the exact relationship is not clear at present. They used to walk to Nant-y-Rhiw chapel all the way from Gorsedd Grucyn via Fronwen.

Oats were also used to make oatcakes, as seen left in this photograph of Sarah Olwen Jackson in Gorsedd  Grucyn.                                                                                                                           After cooking, the oatcakes were dried out near the fire

 
.

Bont y Clwt, Melin Y Coed, where Sarah Olwen (Anti Sali) later lived her husband Hywel Jackson.

DESCENDENTS OF JANE AND THOMAS WILLIAMS (by Rhianwen Roberts)
Thomas Williams born 1850 Died 21/11/1923 Home: Gorsedd Grycun Occupation: Farmer
Jane Jones (wife) b.1870 d. 14/04/1953

CHILDREN OF JANE AND THOMAS WILLIAMS
E. HUMPHREY Married Ellen. Home: Railway Terrace,Llanrwst
OWEN b. 27/8/1892 d. 06/06/1963 Bachelor Farmer Home: Tu Hwnt I'r Afon, Gwytherin
THOMAS b. 1893 d.05/08/1896 Home: Gorsedd Grycun, Nant y Rhiw
ROBERT JOHN b. 18/10/1894 d. 11/03/1975 Bachelor Farmer Home: Gorsedd Grycun, Nant y Rhiw
JANE b. 1899 d. 31/10/1922 Spinster Home: Gorsedd Grycun, Nant y Rhiw
WINIFRED MYFANWY b. 6/1/1897 d. 21/02/1945 m.Idwal G.Davies, Postman. Home: School Bank Terrace,Llanrwst
HANNAH CERIDWEN b.15/06/1901 d. 16/10/1988 m. Peter Williams. Farmer Home: Hafoty Gwyn, Pentrevoelas
SARAH OLWEN b. 1902 d. 08/02/1983 m. Howell Jackson, Labourer. Home: Bont y Clwt, Melin y Coed

GWILYM b.1904 d. 09/01/1940 m. Gwendoline Home: Cwm, Dyserth
MAIR twin b. 02/06/1905 d.23/08/1999 m. Robert D. Roberts, Farmer Home: Maes Madog, Capel Garmon
JOSEPH twin b. 02/06/1905 d. 21/12/1991 Bachelor Farmer. Home: Gorsedd Grycun, Nant y Rhiw
IFOR CYNWYD b. 30/03/1907 d. 09/04/1987 m.Annie Owen. Home: Marine Road, Colwyn Bay
IEUAN EMRYS b. 19/01/1909 d. 07/10/1989 m.Kate. Occupation: Farmer Home: Cilowen, Llanfair Tal Haearn
YNYR PHILLIP b. 15/02/1911 d. 25/09/1975 m.Ceridwen Occ: Labourer. Home: Tegfan, Melin y Coed

DESCENDANTS OF THE ABOVE:

JANE
Annie Gwenfron married Sydney Davies - Son: Thomas Eiddon

WINNIE (WINIFRED MYFANWY)
William Owen b. 15/08/1923 Married Jean Roberts. Sons: Kenneth & Paul
Thomas Glynne b.12/01/1926 Married Mair Jones. Sons: Gareth/Geraint/Aled/Owen
Ceinwen b.17/08/1937 m. Vivian Biffin. Son:Martin

HANNAH CERIDWEN
Herbert
Elfed married Catherine
Emlyn married Elinor Children: ? / Clwyd
Alun married Mair Occupation: Farmer Daughters: Eurwen / Alwena
Hywel b.Sept. 1940 Married Rhiannon Occupation: Farmer Children: Megan / Dion / Ffion

SARAH OLWEN
Idris Married Megan. Children: Beryl / Eirian / Leonard / Mair
Elwyn m. Gwen. Son: David
Alwena b. 19/11/1928 Married Caradog Evans
Blodwen married Michael

GWILYM
Jean married John Edwards. Daughter: Janet

MAIR
Cadwaladr 17/11/1928 married Jean Welch Occupation: Businessman Daughter Fiona Jane
Rhianwen 13/01/1944 married John E. Roberts Occupation: Teacher Daughters: Elen Wyn / Nia Wyn

IFOR CYNWYD
Gwynfor m.Priscilla
Aelwyn m.Shirley
Eugryn
Gareth
Alun b.April 1944. Married Edith

EMRYS (IEUAN EMRYS)
Aledwen married Iorweth Jones, Occupation Farmer Children: Dylan / Clwyd / Morwenna
Norman married Ann Daughers: Bethan / Menna

YNYR PHILIP
Philip b.Oct. 1944. Married Miriam. Sons: Gareth / Alwyn
Elfed married Sharon Children: Llyr /

Many thanks to Rhianwen Roberts, Mair's daughter, for the above family information.


Gorsedd Grycun from the top road looking south west.

In 1928 Mair married Robert David Roberts, the son of Cadwaladr Roberts of Foty Gerrig, Siloam, 

Ynyr married Ceridwen and lived at Tegfan, Melin y Coed.


Above: Bob Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn


Above: The Evans Family of Fronwen in 1927 with Joe Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn

Annie Gwendoline Davies and her uncle, Jo Williams.


Above: Gorsedd Grucyn 1966 - Jo Williams with Ken and Paul Davies.
(KD / Ed RE)


LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS WILLIAMS 

Thomas Williams born 1850 Died 21/11/1923


COFIO JO GORSEDD
gan Dei Bryniog (1991)

Saif Gorsedd Grucyn rhyw dair milltir hediad bran o dref Llanrwst a bu'n rhan o stad y Cyffdy hyd at amser chwalu honno yn y flwyddyn mil naw un saith. Fe'i prynwyd gan y tenant Thomas Williams am bum cant ac wyth deg a phump o bunnoedd ac yno bu'n byw am weddill ei oes hefo Jane Williams ei wraig, yn ffarmio a magu un o deuluoedd lluosocaf y gymdogaeth.
A'i i'r dref ac yn ol ar gefn merlen a cherddai Jane Williams ar ei ol, basged lawn ar bob braich, - ond rhywsut, llwyddai i afael yng nghynffon y gaseg wrth dringo'r allt am adref .

Mae llawer o hanesion digon difyr am Thomas Williams a'i gyfnod, ac mae'r stori honno'n hysbys bron i bawb amdano'n ceisio arghyoeddi awrdudodau addysg ei ddydd fod angen ysgol yn Nant Y Rhiw. "Codwch chi ysgol ac mi na innau'n siwr y bydd plant ynddi."

Un o'r plant hynny ydoedd Joseph, fu farw ychydig cyn y Nadolig (1991), efaill i Mair a'r unig un sy'n fyw bellach o'r teuluhynod yma. Mae'n anodd son am Jo heb grybwyll Bob ei frawd ac Annie yr un pryd, gan mai y nhw ill tri fu'n byw ac yn ffarmio Gorsedd Grucyn hyd at ddiwedd blwyddyn mil naw saith tri, yn prysur odro, danfon llaeth i'r ffordd, hel cynhaeaf, llenwi taflodydd, gwneud teisi, hel olion a hel broc.

Un diwyd iawn fu Jo, syml ac annwyl. A'i i'r dre bob nos Sadwrn am dipyn o hwyl hefo'r hogia, ac ymlwybrodd yn gyson i gapel Nant Y Rhiw trwy bob tywydd. Credai mewn ysbrydion ac adroddai straeon ofergoelus gydag awch, daliai sylw manwl ar ogwydd lleuad a chyfeiriad gwynt ac un craff ydoedd hefo arwyddion tywydd. Heb ymhelaethu geiriau, buont gymdogion tan gamp. Beth yn fwy all dyn ei dystio?

Boed heddwch i'w llwch a hiraeth lond y gwynt am weld eu tebyg unwaith eto. 
 
 

Jo and brother Ynyr on the way to Chapel via Fronwen with Katie

REMEMBERING JO GORSEDD
by Dei Bryniog 1991

Gorsedd Grucyn stands some three miles as the crow flies from the town of Llanrwst, and it was part of the Cyffdy Estate until the time that was broken up in the year 1917. It was bought by the tenant, Thomas Williams, for £585 and there he lived for the rest of his life with Jane Williams his wife, farming and raising one of the most numerous families of the neighbourhood.

He would go to town and back on a pony and Jane Williams would walk after him, a full basket on each arm - yet she somehow succeeded in holding on to the mare's tail while climbing the hill for home. There are many interesting tales about Thomas Williams and his period, and that story must be known to nearly everybody wherein he tried to convince the education authorities of his day that a school was needed in Nant y Rhiw. "You build the school, and I will make sure there are children in it".

One of those children was Joseph, who died a little before Christmas 1991, twin to Mair and the only one of this exceptional family still living. It is hard to speak of Jo without mentioning Bob his brother and Annie at the same time, as they are the three who lived and farmed Gorsedd Grucyn until the end of the year 1973, busy milking, taking milk to the road, gathering the harvest, filling lofts, making haystacks, collecting rubbish and collecting wood.

Jo was a very industrious man, simple and endearing. He would go to town every Saturday night for a bit of fun with the boys, and consistently made his way to Nant y Rhiw chapel in all weathers. He believed in ghosts and told superstitious tales with relish; he took careful note of the phases of the moon and the direction of the wind, being sagacious with signs of the weather. In short, they were superb neighbours. What greater testimony can a man give?

Peace to his ashes and a wind full of longing to see his like once again.

(Translation: Rowena Evans)


LIFE IN THE OLD DAYS AT GORSEDD GRUCYN
(A letter to Dei Bryniog from William Owen Davies)

Llandeilo
Sir Gaerfyrddin
31 Awst 1999

Annwyl Dei, Mary a'r plant,

Wythnos i heddiw yr oeddym yn mwynhau eich croeso yng Ngorsedd Grycun, a diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.
Aeth yr ymweliad a mi yn ol drigain mlynedd, pan oeddwn yn treulio llawer o amser yn Gorsedd. Os nad oedd angen carthu'r beudy a'r stabal, 'roeddwn yn cerdded y caeau, yn enwedig amser aredig Ffridd yr Orsedd, pan oedd y corn chwiglog yn nythu.

'R oedd yr iar yn cerdded llatheni cyn codi i'r awyr, lle bo neb yn gwybod ble'r oedd y nyth, ond os oedd pedwar wy yn y nyth a'u pigau at y canol, nid oeddwn yn cyffwrdd a hwy, gan fod yr iar wedi dechrau eistedd arnynt. Byddai Nain yn ffrio'r wya corn chwiglog i mi ac 'roeddynt yn flasus (blas cryfach nag wy iar), gyda bara cartre' a menyn ffres.

Pleser arall oedd dal tyrchod gyda trap ac yn gwneud yn siwr fy mod yn rhwbio fy nwylo yn y pridd, neu mi fuasai'r twrch yn arogli fy nghorff. Gan wneud yn siwr nad oedd ddim golau yn mynd i'r twll, 'roeddwn yn sicr o dwrch erbyn y bore.

Dal lefrod (lefrau yw sgwarnog ifanc fel y gwyddost) - unwaith a welswm un, byddwn yn rhoi peswch, a mi fydda'r lefran yn wardio. Gan gerdded yn araf tu ol iddi (nid yw sgwarnog ddim ond yn gweld y ddwy ochr iddi) ac yn ei chodi a'i chyflechu cyn ei gollwng yn rhydd. Dal sgwarnogod yn y clawdd yng ngwaelod Ffridd yr Orsedd gyda magl lle'r oedd y llwybr swarnogod yn arwain trwy'r clawdd, gan osod y fagl hyd dwrn a bawd i waelod y fagl (hyd dwrn i gwningen). Yna bydda Jo yn eu gwerthu am 2/6 yn y dre.

Dyddiau hyfryd mewn nefoedd o fyd Dei?

Erbyn hyn yr ydym wedi ail setlo mewn treflan lle nad oes dim ond y traffic yn symud.

Cofion gorau atoch oll, a diolch am eich croeso,

Wil a Jean
(William Owen a Jean Davies)

Dear Dei, Mary and the children

A week ago today we were enjoying your welcome in Gorsedd Grycun, and many thanks to you.

The visit took me back sixty years, when I was spending a lot of time in Gorsedd. If there was no need to muck out the cowshed and the stables, I would be walking the fields, especially at the time of ploughing the Gorsedd sheepwalk, when the lapwing was nesting.

The hen would walk yards before rising into the air so nobody would know where the nest was, but if there were four eggs in the nest with their pointed ends towards the middle I didn't touch them as the hen had started hatching them. Nain used to fry lapwing eggs for me, and they were delicious (a stronger taste than hens' eggs) with home baked bread and fresh butter.

Another pleasure was catching moles with a trap and making sure that I rubbed my hands in the soil, otherwise the mole would scent my body. By making sure no light went into the hole I was sure of a mole by the morning.

Catching leverets (a leveret is a young hare, as you know) - once I saw one I would give a cough, and the hare would freeze. Then walking slowly behind her (a hare can only see to either side of her) and picking her up and (chyflechu/try to hide?) before letting her go. Catching hares with a snare in the hedge at the bottom of Gorsedd sheepwalk where the hare path led through the hedge, setting the snare the length of a fist and a thumb to the bottom of the snare (the length of a fist for a rabbit). Then Jo would sell them for 2/6 in town . . .

Delightful days in Paradise, Dei?

By now we have settled in a small town where nothing moves but the traffic.

Best wishes to you all, and thank you for your welcome.

Wil a Jean
(William Owen and Jean Davies)

(Translation: Rowena Evans)

GORSEDD GRUCYN OR GRYCUN?

Dad explained this to me. We always used to spell it Grycun and it was known as such. However, Dei Bryniog has renamed it to the original spelling of "Grucyn". I cannot for the life of me find out who Grucyn is (or Crucyn without the mutation perhaps). So, you could argue both are correct, depending on which period we're talking about.

Dad could remember the names of all the fields at Gorsedd - there was one field where the grass was particularly good; neighbouring farmers used to graze their sickly cattle/sheep on it to aid recovery. Sadly Dad never got round to listing them for me, but I have some names - Cae Nant, Ffridd yr Orsedd, Waen Fawr, Ffridd Maes, and Ffridd Bryniog

One thing Dad did for me was to draw a map of old Llanrwst - named all the streets as they were in the old days - it's a masterpiece on about three pages I think. Dad also wrote a lot of poetry and had a book published. None of the poems were based on his experiences, or farming life at Gorsedd unfortunately.

BURIAL MOUND
As in so many other places, farming activities have both hidden and revealed ancient remains.



Above: This field at Gorsedd Grucyn is the location of a tumulus or burial mound.


Above: The house backs onto the ancient burial site.


Above: The stones from the tumulus were recycyled into a stone wall.


Above: To us, it's a significant historical site. To the cattle, it's just lunch.

As demonstrated by the documents below, the site was investigated a couple of generations ago.








 
Even an old stone garden wall can contain recycled stones with carvings. From a house in the village.    

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS SITE - KEN DAVIES

If you have any information to share or would like to contact me, please e-mail me at   mail@penmon.org