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John Williams of Pembrokeshire writes; I found this transcription among family papers. I cannot be sure who it was addressed to, but I guess it was to a female member of the Tan y Fron family, in Penmon, in response to a letter received by him.
Gorddinog , Cemaes, November 1890
Dear Niece
I received your letter this morning and I will try to answer some of your questions as far as I know about them.
My grandfather's name was John Williams and my grandmother's name was Elizabeth Williams and the name of their residence was 'Caehir' (long field) which was a small holding added to Tanyfron after the death of my grandmother, and by now part of it belongs to Pwll Crwn owned formerly by Hugh Roberts.
My grandfather and my grandmother had five children namely two daughters and three boys - the name of the eldest was William, and my father the second, was John and the youngest was Rowland.
My grandfather and his two daughters were drowned in the Penmon boat when they were returning from the Bangor fair - June 25 - 1787. My grandmother died in a year's time after the accident of a broken heart after their loss.
William went to Tycoch, Llanffinan to his aunt and there he died. My father went as an apprentice as a sailor, and Rowland was sent as an apprentice as a tailor to a man who at that time lived at Llain Swllt, Llangoed; and when he had served his time there - he went to America - and the only thing that my father heard of him afterwards - that he was working in a rope factory in New York. This is what I heard about him, that he went to Jamaica. A man named Deiniol Wyn was a missionary of the English Church in Jamaica, and afterwards became a schoolmaster there and when he returned from there to his old home in Caernarfon, he met two men from Cemaes and asked them whether they knew a man named Rowland Williams, Penmon or any of his relations.
The man said that a man of that name had been to Jamaica and lived there and had a sugar plantation and kept two thousand slaves. He had built a church and had given it as a gift to the English church. His name was engraved on the gable end of the church - Rowland Williams, Penmon, Anglesea during the time when England gave the slaves their freedom. He left his estate and went to South America and never returned. One of his workmen told Deiniol Wyn this, and when Deiniol Wyn was in Jamaica, the estate had become wild without an owner. I do not know nor the one in Cemaes, which place in Jamaica he lived, nor where the church was. Very likely he died before this and that in South America he died and was buried there - I do not know.
Deiniol Wyn is dead but his relations are living in Caernarfon. Very likely if you came across them, they could give you all the information.
We are pleased to hear that M A Williams, Tanyfron is getting better.
We are sorry to hear that R Roberts Llangoed is still poorly.
We wish to be remember to you and all the family.
Yours very sincerely
Your uncle - John Williams
John explains that; John Williams was a retired minister and can be found at Gorddinog in the Cemaes Census returns of the relevant period.
I guess that Cae Hir, where his ancestors lived, was the long field between the Tan y Fron Covert and the track leading to Tan y Fron. Indeed the field now belongs in part to Pwll Crwn and in part to Tan y Fron.
I can find no refernces to a ferry accident in 1787 involving the Penmon ferry. Only the well reported Abermenai ferry tragedy in 1785.
The story about the Rowland Williams and his slaves in Jamaica is fascinating, but possibly a bit embelished when passed from seaman to seaman!
The Mary Anne Williams mentioned in the letter is the daughter of Robert Williams, Tan y Fron. I believe Robert Roberts, Llangoed, was the son in law of my g.g.grandfather John Williams, the Black Point pilot, both of whom lived at Pwll Crwn Fach.
If you can add to the information contained in above letter, please contact John, via this website, on the contact form on the left hand side of this page.
Response received in connection with the 1890 letter and Rowland Williams' connection with Jamaica.
I have been very interested in your web site.
There is a plaque in a wall of a church in Anglesea, Parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica to a Rowland Williams of Penmon which is undated but could be c 1700. There seems to be too much of a coincidence that this Rowland or his forebears might have gone to Jamaica from Penmon. Do you know if there is anyone with a Williams from Penmon Genealogy as I would like to have got in touch?
The letter regarding the Rowland Williams and the church I believe is a little muddled as the Williams of Anglesea who owned the plantation when the slaves got their freedom was one Joseph Stone Williams and he left the estate to my 3xgt grandfather Theodore who was vicar of Hendon. Theodore and Joseph were brothers and a Rowland Wiliiam's gt gt grandsons.
I have no doubt you get other letters of this nature so please do not spend anytime on it.
Many thanks
Neale Lawson
MORE INFORMATION ON THE WILLIAMS FAMILY CAN BE FOUND IN THE LINK TO TAN Y FRON
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Here we record the old Vicars of Penmon and Llanfaes.
1901. John David Jones 29 of Talley, Carmarthenshire was the Clergy man of the Church of England Church. His wife Maud Lucy , 31 was from Dawlish, Devon and their 10 month old daughter was born in St Asaph. David Herbert 39 of Llanddewi Brefi was the only visitor in the Vicarage apart from his wife Helen 33, of Lincoln. Cooking for the family was Penmon born Jane Jones 23, Mary Catherine Dawson 16 of Llandysilio was their nurse and Edward Bulkeley 16 of Beaumaris, their garden boy.
1891. This census entry simply reads "No one sleeping there on the night of April 5th 1891. Occupier Mr Kyffin as boarder, of Rhos Cottage".
1881. Living at the Vicarage in the Parish of Llanfaes was Thomas W Trevor 42, Vicar of Penmon and Llanfaes, born in Llanfaelog. He was also vicar here in 1871. His wife Caroline 41 came from Llangristiolus. They had five children living at home with them. Laura 13 was born when the couple lived in Dolgelley, Bronwen 11 and her siblings Thomas W. 5, Edward R.3 and Gwladys E. 2 were born in Penmon.
Boarding with the family was Governess Augusta M. Sessions, 25 of Cornwall. The vicar employed Jane Morris 50 of Bangor, Emma Bellwood 21 of Llanfaes and Emma Hughes 19 of Beaumaris as domestic servants.
1871. Vicar of Penmon and Llanfaes in the Diocese of Bangor, was Thomas W Trevor 32 born in Llanfaelog. His wife Catherine was 31 and came from Trefodraeth (1881 says Llangristiolus). 3 year old Laura was Dolgelley born and Bronwen A. 1 came from Penmon. Ellen Owen 23 of Llangadwaladr cooked for the household, Mary Thomas 23 of Trefdaeth was a housemaid and the nurse Ann Jones 22 came from Dolgelley.
1861. Penmon Parsonage housed Phillip E. Ellis of Pwllheli. His wife Ellen was from Southend, their children Ellen 4, P.C.S 2 and Henry M 1 were born in Beaumaris.
Fanny Thomas 22, the cook was from Bangor, Ann Price 23 the nurse from Eastham and housemaid G.V. Thomas 20 from Llandulais.
My thanks to Rowena Evans for supplying prints of the Penmon Church and Priory.
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The Clergy of the Beaumaris Parishes
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LLANFAES with PENMON
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Llanfaes friary was established after the death of Joan, natural daughter of King John of England, and wife of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince of Wales.
1283 - grant to Gervase de Dolganewall, Chaplain.
1310 - Adam Conrad
1317 - Anian Archdeacon of Anglesey (Bishop of Bangor)
1319 - William de Sumery
1319 - Alexander de Wyndesore
1320 - Simon ap Dafydd
1331 - John de Graystoke
1334 - John de Helpeston
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Priors of Penmon
1306 - Iorwerth
1310 - Gervase de Bristoll
1311 - Roger de Mortuo
1316 - John Seys, Canon of Bardesey (sic)
1317 - Matthew Goch, Canon of Penmon
1335 - Einion ap Goronwy is mentioned
Gap in records
c1410 - John Castell
1414 - Thomas de Trentith or Trentham, Canon of the house
Gap in records
c1440 - Thomas Godfrey
1445 - William Whalley, Canon of the house
1452 - William Ardescote, Prior of both Penmon and Priestholme (Puffin Island)
1468 - John Ingram, Canon of the house
Last prior - John Godfrey
1530s - dissolution of the Monasteries.
Note; most priors elrcted were from the house itself aqnd thus mostly native Welshmen.
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1623 - Sir Richard Lewis was Curate of Llan Saint Katrine (Llanfaes) with Llaniestyn and Llanddona)
1726 - John Griffiths BA, Priest
1748 - James Vincent (became Canon of Bangor Cathedral in 1750)
1775 - William Jones BA
More detailed records available from 1792
1780 - Richard Thomas
1830 - John Williams BA
1837 - Hugh Jones
1843 - Hugh Davies Owen BA
1843-5 - Evan Lewis, Curate
1840 - John Owen Jones, Perpetual Curate of Llanfaes and Penmon
1850 - Philip Constable Ellis, Perpetual Curate of Llanfaes and Penmon
1862 - John Skinner Jones
1868 - Thomas Warren Trevor, Vicar
Curates at this time were;
1851 - John Roberts, Curate
1858 - David Rowland Davies
1868 - Maurice Price Williams
1871 - John Jones
1872 - John Robert Edwards
1874 - John Davies
1880 - John Roberts
1906 - David Edward Evans
Clerics of Llanfaes and Penmon;
1888 - John Roberts
1889 - Owen Kyffin Williams
1896 - Hugh Williams
1900 - John David Jones
1901 - Robert Parker Jones
1905 - Maurice Arthur Hughes
1907 - John Bangor Jones
1910 - John Timothy Phillips
1911 - John Owen
1913 - Joseph Evans Pugh
1913 - David Edward Evans, was Curate in 1906
1919 - Griffith Williams
1920 - John Morgan Wright
1925 - William Williams
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I am very grateful to
NEIL FAIRLAMB
Rector of Beaumaris
for permission to extract the above details from his book
THE CLERGY OF THE
BEAUMARIS PARISHES
(The Church in Wales)
Copies of the book are available from him;
Revd Neil Fairlamb, The Rectory,
Beaumaris, Anglesey, LL58 8BN
at a remarkable £1.45 (One pound 45p)including postage and packing.
24 x A4 pages of text
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A couple of examples of text taken at random are;
In 1830, John Williams was appointed; he was son of Rowland Williams, an attorney. A graduate of Jesus College, BA in 1821 and Fellow 1822-32, he was first perpetual curate of Llandegfan in 1822 and them perpetual curate of Llangoed, Llan-faes and Penmon to his early death in 1837.
In 1900 John David Jones, scholar of the Queen's College, Oxford, 1891, BA 1895, MA 1899, Deacon 1895, priest 1896. He was first curate of Llanfairpwll 1895-7 and then Vicar Choral of St Asaph Cathedral 1897-1900. He remained in post for 13 years until 1913 before becoming Vicar of St Mary's and St James's, Bangor, and later Vicar of Aberdyfi and Prebendary of Llanfair. He was editor of Llawlyfrau yr Ysgolion Sul.
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Above we see two photos of pupils at Penmon School in 1896.
Can you help by identifying any of them please? Some clues may appear in the 1891 census details which appear on the PENMON PAST link at the top left of this page.
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1920 PENMON CHURCH SCHOOL
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Ann Catherine Jones, third daughter of John & Elizabeth Jones (nee Williams) of Bodferieg, Llangoed, is pictured holding the school board, aged about 12. The teacher is Mr Thomas |
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PENMON SCHOOL c1922 TOP CLASS
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Front row ; Mr Thomas, Winnie Haley, Nan Davies, Madge Roberts,
Olwen Owen, Maryl Jones.
Second row ; O. T. Rowlands, Benny Owen, Jack Williams, Glyn Owen,
William John Hughes, Sam Lewis.
Back row ; Wynn Thomas, Arthur Haley, Jack Hunter,
Sam Jones, Jack Roberts.
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PENMON FOOTBALL CLUB 1930 - 31
ANGLESEY CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS
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W. Thomas, Iorwerth Owen, E. Williams, A. Haley, John Seiriol Jones, Sam Jones, Tom Owen, Trevor Williams, George Brereton and W. Rowlands
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The gentleman sitting in the middle of the front row is my great grandfather,
Charles Goodman Roberts. He was the Sunday School Teacher at Caim.
Adults called him 'Yr Hen Gristion' or 'The Old Christian', the children called him 'Taid'.
Front row, left to right; Eluned Hughes, Olwen Williams, Eileen Owen, Maldwyn Jones, Tudor Evans, Olwen Roper, Mair Owen, Menna Jones, Eluned Roberts, Charles G. Roberts (teacher), Iris Jones, Dilys Owen, Betty Owen, John Jones, Seiriol Thomas, Austin Jones, Thomas Hughes.
Middle Row; Joseph Price, Betty Waters, ===?===, Me.... Owen, Maggie Roberts, Rose Hughes, Mary Williams, Mon Owen, Huw Parry Lewis, Bobbie Jones, Lewis Hughes, William Jones.
Back Row; Emyr Owen, ===?===, Annie Jones, Nancy Price, Bob Evans, Hugh Owen, Molly Parry, Ted Owen (Penfro Bach), Jennie Thomas, Ted Owen (1, Pen Fron)
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DINMOR LIMESTONE QUARRIES,
PENMON 1938
Photos taken by the late Mr Horace Barber.
Reproduced here by kind permission of his son Alan Barber.
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The pier and crusher shed, Sychnant Quarry, Penmon.
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Just arriving for another load.
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The pier, Sychnant Quarry |
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Limestone for the Mersey Wall
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William Hughes, son of Lizzie who was a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Jones who lived at Cae Merddyn in 1800s, wrote to Audrey Bradbury, his first cousin, once removed. These are extracts from the letter where he recalls his childhood days around the Penmon area.
Reading the names of villages and hamlets which I had almost forgotten, gives me a great deal of pleasure. One I shall always remember is Moelfre.
A fishmonger with his donkey and cart would come up the road regularly from Beaumaris. We could hear him before we could see him. He would be selling "Moelfre herrings, fresh Meolfre herrings, chwech am chwech!!" |
Mother would never buy on his morning trip. In the afternoon he would be returning, but this time it would be "Moelfre herrings, pymtheg am chwech!" and we would buy a few.
Let me again just 'glance'. Long years ago when we had been in this country (Rome, New York, U.S.A.), I met a native of Anglesey, who was the pastor of our Lee Centre Church. He was a fair kind of poet. When I told him that I was born in Beaumaris, he became very interested and recited me one of his works, which I still remember. I thought you would like it.
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Fe'm ganwyd yng ngolwg Yr Wyddfa
Tra'r Wyddfa yng ngolwg y Nef
Ar fryn bach dinod ar dir Mona Dyrchafais yn gyntef fy llef
A thybiwn wrth weled yr hen Wyddfa wen
Fod nefoedd a daear yn cwrdd ar ei phen.
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He tells Audrey that he thinks her father, Joseph Jones is his cousin and your grandfather.
We stopped at Caim and talked with Aunt Mary, your Nain Caim. She was so pleased to see us and to learn that I was "un o hogia Lizzie Cae Merddyn". How old was she when she passed on in about 1955? I recall that there was a young fellow there too, probably about 30. I would very much like to learn more about the Penmon branch of our family.
My recollections of Beaumaris are as vivid as the happenings of yesterday. 'I fyny'r stryd' meant that section of Wexham Street (above) where Henllys Lon comes in.
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The Methodist Chapel which we attended and where my brothers and I were baptised by the pastor, Joseph Hillier; Beaumaris board school where I started when I was three. The schoolmaster was John Roberts whose nickname was 'cocky little man'.
The Board School, situated at New Street in the town of Beaumaris, northern Anglesey provided education for girls and boys at primary level in accordance with the Elementary Education Act of 1870. It also offered a range of evening classes in arithmetic, reading, composition, needlework, household management, shorthand, drawing, music and commercial practice etc. The school was administered for the municipal borough of Beaumaris by a school board. Teaching staff c. 1880-1910 included John Roberts, E. Marshall, M.A. Williams, Mary O' Connor and Jane Owen
| The Clio (right) anchored at Borth - none of us were sent there for we were good boys. |
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Henllys Lon and the large field on the right as you go to Llangoed where the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers bivouacked; and beyond the race track; right where Henllys Lon meets Wexham Street, the shop of John Hughes, hot pies; The Green where we played and celebrated the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandris; the periwinkles we picked as the tide was slowyly ebbing!
How much of the vignette is still extant?
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JOHN JONES, CAIM and
THE BATTLE of WATERLOO
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In 1796, give or take a year, a boy was born at Caim whose name was John Jones. When very young, he enlisted in Anglesey's glorious cavalry.
He was only 18 or so on that unforgettable day, Sunday June 18th, 1815 Napoleon with 72,00 men faced Wellington with 67,000 British Allies. The battle began a little before noon.
Napoleon was on the offensive all day but Wellington stood firm. The smoke was thick and restricted the British view because the wind was not favourable.
The Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. His defeat put a final end to his rule as Emperor of the French. Waterloo also marked the end of the period known as the Hundred Days, which began in March 1815 after Napoleon's return from Elba, where he had been exiled after his defeats at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and the campaigns of 1814 in France.
After Napoleon returned to power, many states which had previously resisted his rule formed the Seventh Coalition and began to mobilise armies to oppose him. The first two armies to assemble, close to the French north eastern border, were a Prussian army under the command of Gebhard von Blücher and an Anglo-allied army under the command of the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon chose to attack them in the hope of destroying them before they, with other members of the Seventh Coalition (who were not such an immediate threat), could join in a coordinated invasion of France. The campaign consisted of four major battles - Quatre Bras (16 June), Ligny (16 June), Waterloo (18 June), and Wavre (18 June-19 June) - with Waterloo proving decisive.
The nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life. - The Duke of Wellington
It rained heavily overnight on 17 June, so Napoleon delayed giving battle until noon on 18 June to allow the ground to dry out. Wellington's army positioned across the Brussels road on the Mont St Jean escarpment withstood repeated attacks by the French until in the evening they counter-attacked and drove the French from the field. Simultaneously the Prussians — arriving in force — broke through Napoleon's right flank adding their weight to the attack. Losses were heavy on all sides.
The French army left the battlefield in disorder, and was unable to prevent Coalition forces entering France and restoring King Louis XVIII to the French throne. Napoleon was exiled to St Helena, where he died in 1821.
The battlefield is in present-day Belgium, about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) SSE of Brussels, and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the town of Waterloo.
About 4pm, Napoleon seemed to be winning, although his losses were terrific. At 7pm, he ordered the flower of his cavalry to make a final assault.
They fought until 9pm. Then Wellington ordered the Marquis of Anglesey, England's greatest cavalry officer of his day, to charge!
By midnight, one of the world's most important battles was over. Both the Marquis and John Jones lost a leg.
John Jones of Caim had done his bit to help win the Battle of Waterloo!.
John Jones could be seen hobbling around Penmon in later years and lived to a good age.
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A TOUR IN WALES
BY THOMAS PENNANT
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The following article is reproduced from 'A Tour in Wales' by Thomas Pennant, Abridged by David Kirk and printed and published in Wales by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, and appears by kind permission of the publishers. ISBN; 0-86381-473-5.
David Kirk writes; "Thomas Pennant was born on June 14th 1726 at Whitford. The three tours of Wales which form the basis of this volume took place in 1773 and 1776." The following relates to Pennant's time near Beaumaris and Penmon.
From Caenarfon I crossed the ferry to Tal-y-Foel in Ynys Mon. I soon reached Newborough (or more properly Rhosfair, the Welsh name). Here had been one of the residencies of our princes.
I continued my ride near the Menai which now opens considerably. The opposite limits are inexpressibly beautiful, lofty and finely clothed with hanging woods. The estuary of the river Conway flows at ita bottom between those noble headlands.(Penmaenmawr and Llandudno). This prospect is seen to best advantage from the Green near the castle of Biwmares from whence may also be seen Ynys Seiriol, the fortress itself, Baron Hill and its elegant improvements, and Red Hill, the house of Mr Sparrow.
The town of Biwmares is, as the name implies, pleasantly seated on a low land at the water's edge; it is neat and well built, and one street is very handsome. Edward I built Biwmares Castle. The exterior walls are guarded by ten strong towers. The entrance faces the sea and near it is a long narrow advanced work called the Gunners Walk.
Edward surrounded the town with walls, made it a corporation and endowed it with great privileges and lands to a considerable value. He removed the ancient freeholders, by exchange of property, into other counties.
I visited the Priory of Penmon, placed on the shore. The remains are the ruinous refectory and the church; part of the last is in present use. Within is a small monument informing us that Sir Thomas Wilford of Ildington in Kent (one of whose daughters married Sir Richard Bulkeley) died January 25th 1654.
About a mile from the shore is Ynys Seiriol. The first recluses of this island, according to Giraldus, were Hermits or whom (as uaual) he tells a superstitious tale that they were plagued with swarms of mice whenever they disagreed. At the dissolution the revenues were valued at 47 pounds 15 shillings and 3 pence, granted in the 6th of Queen Elizabeth to John Moore.
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Ynys Seiriol is about a mile long and bounded by precipices except on the side opposite Penmon, and even there the ascent is very steep. The land slopes greatly from the summit to the edge of the precipices. During part of summer, the whole swarms with birds of passage. |
The slope on the side is animated with puffin auks, which incessantly squall around you, alight and disappear into their burrows, or come out, stand erect and gaze at you in a most groteque manner, then take flight and either perform their evolutions about you or seek the sea in search of food.
They appear first about the 5th or 10th April but quite the place, almost t a bird, twice or thrice before they settle. Thei first employ is in the forming of burrows, which falls to the share of the males who are son intent on the business as to suffer themselves at that time to be taken by the hand. Some few save themselves the trouble of forming holes and will disposses the rabbits who, during the puffin season, retire to the other side of the island. They lay one white egg. Males as well as females perform the office of sitting, relieving each other when they go to feed.
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The young are hatched in the beginning of July. The parents have the strongest affection for them but this affection ceases at the time of re-migration, about the 11th August. They then go off, to a single bird, and leave behind the unfledged young of the later hatches as prey to the peregrin falcon which watched the mouth of the holes for their appearance, compelled as they must soon be by hunger to come out.
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The foot of these birds is sprats, or sea-weeds, which makes them excessively rank, yet the young are pickled and preserved by species, and by some people much admired.
The channel between Ynys Seiriol and Ynys Mon has produced some very uncommon fish. The Biwmares shark, the morris and the tirfurcated hake are new species taken in this sea. The new mussel, called the umbilicated; is also frequently dredged up in the neighbourhood of this isle.
The Smirnium Olusatrun, or Alexander's, almost covers the south-west end of the island and is greedily eaten (boiled) by sailors who are just arrived from long voyages. The Iris Foctidissima, or stinking Gladwin, is common about the squre tower and is frequently made into a poultice with oatmeal and used by the country people with success in the quinsy.
I returned to Biwmares and from thence visited Baron Hill, the seat of Lord Bulkeley, placed at the head of an extensive lawn, sloping down to the town, backed and winged by woods, which are great embellishments to the country. The founder of Baron Hill was Sir Richard Bulkeley, a most distinguished personage. He built it in 1618.
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Article taken from NORTH WALES COMPLETE EDITION. Ward Lock & Co's Tourist Handbook, around 1921.
To lovers of the sea, a special charm of Llandudno is the number and variety of the sea trips that can be taken from it, under the most agreeable conditions, by the saloon steamers La Marguerite and others. There are daily sailings for Beaumaris, Bangor, Menai Bridge, Carnarvon and Liverpool. There are also frequent trips round the Isle of Anglesey, to Douglas (Isle of Man) and to Blackpool, and cruises to Rhyl, Puffin Island, Holyhead and the Menai Strait, towards the Point of Ayr, towards the Dee Lightship and to Bardsey Island at the south-western extremity of Carnarvonshire.
The passage in the Menai Strait is usually so calm that the most timid find it enjoyable. The principal points in it will be found in the following description of the trip -
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ROUND THE ISLAND OF ANGLESEY
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This embraces 80 miles of delightful coast scenery. On leaving Llandudno Pier, we pass close to the lofty, wave-worn cliffs of The Great Orme, and may see first the Church of St. Tudno, and shortly afterwards the Lighthouse, 325 feet above sea level.
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At the end of some 7 or 8 miles we arrive off Priestholme or Puffin Island, left, known also by the Welsh as Ynys Seiriol or Puffin Island, because Seiriol, a holy recluse in the sixth century, had a cell upon it. It is called Priestholm because it was occasionally used as a retreat by the inhabitants of the Priory of Penmon, on the neighbouring coast. And lastly it is known as Puffin Island through being the resort of immense numbers of the puffin auk. |
It is about half a mile in length and is separated from Anglesey by a strait of about half a mile wide. Near the centre is an old square tower, the remains of a religious house or a church. To the south of the island is the Dutchman's Bank, on which the Rothsay Castle steamer, on its passage from Liverpool was wrecked on the night of August 17, 1831, and more than 100 persons perished.
In consequence of the wreck, the Penmon Lighthouse was erected. It has a greater number of courses of masonry beneath the water than has the more celebrated Eddystone.
Continuing the voyage, we pass on the north eastern point of Anglesey the Penmon Quarries, famed for marble, and there come into view the remains of Penmon Priory, founded in the sixth century and having St Seiriol for its first head.
Next is passed a farmhouse called Tre'r Castell, occupying the site of an ancient seat of the Tudor family.
Then, as the vessel passes through a roadstead known as the Friars, we get enchanting views of the mainland. The prospect includes the mouth of the Conway, Penmaenmawr village and mountain and at one particular point, a glimpse of Aber Waterfall.
Near Beaumaris the deep channel is only a quarter of a mile wide, and at low water a sandbank known as the Lavan Sands, the site of a submerged palace, Llys Helig, appears between the channel and the Carnarfonshire shore. The bank once formed a ford across the Strait. Its legendary history is narrated in connection with Penmaenmawr.
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The first stopping place of the steamer is Beaumaris. From the steamer, we get a view of the Castle and of the mansion known as Baron Hill, a short distance in the rear of the town, while the Bulkeley Memorial Column behind Baron Hill, is a conspicuous object. It stands 100 feet high, is constructed of Penmon marble and bears a brass plate with a suitable inscription.
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Just beyond Beaumaris is Gallow's Point, a place of execution in olden days. On the Carnarfonshire shore may be seen Penrhyn Castle, and in the far distance the entrance to the Pass of Nant Ffrancon and the lofty summits of Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn overtopping the surrounding mountains. On the same side, also near the mouth of the Ogwen, are two fishing weirs that are said to date from the eighth century. Then comes Port Penrhyn, from which the slates from the Penrhyn quarries are shipped. Almost immediately afterwards, the steamer is at the fine pier of Bangor.
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La Marguerite leaves Menai Bridge
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We pass many beautiful residences along the shores as we steam down the Menai Strait from Bangor to our next stopping place, the pier at Menai Bridge Town, at the Anglesey end of The Menai Suspension Bridge, which spans the strait at a point one and a half miles from Bangor Station.
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Having passed under the Bridge, attention is immediately drawn to the old church of Llandysilio, connected with the main portion of Anglesey by a causeway. Then comes Gorad Goch, a small island with a fishing weir and rocks and pools that yield specimens of marine life for the naturalist, and there are opportunities for the patient observer to study the habits of some of the fish that frequent the surrounding water. But the island is chiefly visited for the enjoyment of a whitebait tea at the cottage.
To the right of the island is the Anglesey Column, in memory of the Marquis of Anglesey, who was second in command at Waterloo, where he lost a leg.
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Exactly a mile from the Suspension Bridge we pass under the Britannia Tubular Bridge, which carries the railway across the Strait through long hollow tubes, of which the floor and roof are formed of cubes firmly connected.
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Having passed under the Tubular Bridge, we see a statue of Lord Nelson on the right and get an unobstructed view of the mansion of Plas Newydd, beautifully situated on the same side of the Strait.
About one and a half miles farther along the Strait is the Moel Don Ferry, opposite Port Dinorwic, from which the produce of the Llanberis slate quarries is shipped. It is believed that the spot or its immediate neighbourhood was the scene of the passage of the Strait by the Roman forces of Suetonius and afterwards of Agricola.
Beyond the little port the Strait widens, and attention is directed to Carnarvon, on the southern side, about 10 miles by water from Bangor.
About 3 miles beyond Carnarvon we reach the open sea, and have at first, a low uninteresting coast on our right. The vessel keeps close to Anglesey and at the end of some 14 or 15 miles from the mouth of the Strait arrives off Holyhead Island, with its grand coast scenery, and in due time reaches the South Stack Lighthouse, 212 feet high. We can see the suspension bridge by which the islet has communication with Holyhead Island, and also the stepped path on the face of the cliff of the larger island. Holyhead Mountain comes next and then we may look up the bay towards Holyhead Harbour. A run of several miles to the north brings us abreast of a group of rocks called the Skerries, the site of a red banded lighthouse, the dues of which were purchased by the government for the sum of £444,984. The light is visible 17 miles all round.
Thence our course is along the northern coast of the island, where, some 6 miles from the Skerries, we pass Cemaes Bay, the first of a group of watering places, the others being Bull Bay, Amlwch, left, and Eilian Bay, the last named having for its eastern horn the far projecting Point Lynas with its famous signalling station.
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All this part of the coast presents features of grand scenery, which is continued past Benllech with its fine sands, to Red Wharf Bay, both pleasant little resorts linked by a branch railway with the main Anglesey line. The Bay is the goal of excursions from Beaumaris and from Bangor and Llandudno.
Having left it behind, we soon arrive off Puffin Island, and so complete the circuit of Anglesey.
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My thanks to Max Pemberton,who once lived at Priory House, Penmon for this information relating to the old 'Danger Man' series, which appeared in the 1960's.
Most of us know that 'The Prisoner', featuring Patrick McGoohan as No. 6, was filmed at Portmeirion. Max has kindly supplied this information relating to Patrick McGoohan acting in Penmon.
The Danger Man episode "That's Two Of Us Sorry", made in 1964 seems to have been written to fit the location:
John Drake (Patrick McGoohan) arrives at the Loch Broom Atomic Power Station and is waved through the gates (BBC Radio station and mast Penmon).
Off the north coast of Scotland is the island of 'Herta' where live Magnus Sutherland (Nigel Green) and his daughter Sheila (Francesca
Annis) in 'the old Abbey' (Priory House).
'Jock Lawson's (Duncan Lamont) house is one of the Pilot houses at Penmon Point, one mile from the Priory, as is the lighthouse
featured. John Drake (Patrick McGoohan) arrives on the
island by the stone jetty on the beach on the way up to the
Priory.
Later Drake confronts Donald McKinnon (Brian Phelan)
on his boat and the two men fight. Drake is later fished out
of the water (from the deep bay, off shore from the stone
jetty).
There is also a secret whisky still hidden in the
old 'Pigeon-House' (the Dovecot). There are extensive shots
of the area throughout the episode. Even the back-projection
when the two men fight in the obvious studio boat is
correct, and filmed from off shore, showing the Priory,
Flagstaff Villa and the quarries.
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Can you help by naming these people, who are enjoying refreshments near the Penmon Dovecote?Photo courtesy of Max Pemberton
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Photos courtesy of Angela Woods
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Angela Woods came across this magnificent property, sadly now derelict, and got in touch with me asking;
"Not sure if you can help me but I was curious to know about a house we saw whilst walking last weekend at Penmon.
"Basically, we took a walk from the Toll car park which was circular and on our return we went through a gate in the wall at Pentir holiday cottage. We crossed diagonally down across a field towards a track which took us past a derelict house on our right.
"I was surprised that such a lovely place was empty. It looked like it had been fire damaged many years ago as the roof had collapsed. I took a picture of it but wondered of its origins and started googling Penmon and came across your site.
"We have been going up to Anglesey for nearly 20yrs now and I still find places I have never been to!"
If anyone can help Angela solve the mystery, we would love to hear from you. Please contact mail@penmon.org. It would be wonderful to include the census details of those who lived at the house in this feature. KD
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I am grateful to John Williams for this reply; KD
I am pretty sure the derelict house that Angela Woods saw was the old Barracks used by the quarry workers. The only photo that I can find is rather a distant one which is attached. Since this photo was taken the roof has partially collapsed as has the end wall and old bell tower. Angela's photo was taken after the collapse which happened within the last couple of years.
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Angela's reply;
Yes! I think John Williams is right! I have enlarged the picture and it seems to show four windows on the top floor and four and a door on the ground floor. Our walk brought us down the hill from the right of the picture so when we passed the house and carried on down the house was on our right still. Such a shame to see it in a dilapidated state…if I ever win the lottery….Thanks so much for all your help, no doubt I will be walking somewhere else soon and spot another great mystery!
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My thanks to Sian Roberts for the following photos, which include views along the Menai Straits from the Barracks. KD
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MARGARET ANN WILLIAMS
born c 1866
Penmon
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The following request has been received from Gareth Griffiths. Can you help find Margaret Ann Williams's family? KD
I am tracing my ancestor Robert Taylor born Salford 14 Nov 1898 whose mother and sister were born in the Beaumaris, Penmon, Llangoed area.
The 1891 census for Birkenhead shows-
Margaret A Taylor wife aged 24 born Beaumaris,Penmon (born about 1866/67 as Margaret Ann Williams)
Maggie Taylor daughter aged 5 born Beaumaris, Penmon (now I have to assume she may be born Maggie Williams born about 1886)
1901 census for Salford shows -
Margaret Taylor wife aged 34 born Wales, Llangoed, U.K.
The husband in each case is Albert Taylor of Salford who married Margaret Ann Williams in Sept quarter 1888 Bangor district which would have incoporated Beaumaris then. He was a railway porter in 1891 and a dockyard worker in 1901.
Having viewed your excellent website I am wondering where THIS Williams family lived in Penmon/Llangoed?
Sadly Maggie doesn't appear in 1901 so she may have died.
Robert (Bob) Taylor is alleged to have become orphaned and grew up in Llandudno Junction and the family story is that his mother, Margaret Anne Taylor, nee Williams, was said to have been possibly murdered (maybe somewhere near Ardda?).
I don't understand the Ardda connection. When he was about 16, Bob went to work on a farm in Llandudno Junction, before he went to the Dardanelles in The Great War, but he did return unlike so many others. He nearly went to Australia by the time he was about 20 but all for the sake of half crown which he could not pay. He stayed and worked on the railways as a warehouseman then Bodnant as a gardener and he was still gardening at 91 in Little Bispham, Blackpool, on his bike!
It presents a big gap in the family history and I have been able to trace the Taylor family in Saford quite a lot but the Penmon link puzzles my father and I even though I am pretty well versed in family history.
I do have a press cutting when Robert Taylor went back to see some lady who was said to have raised him in the Anglesey area which I shall have to dig out.
Perhaps you would be kind enough to place this on your website as a message or know some connection with the information on your website that may link?
Thanking you kindly.
regards Gareth Griffiths
Gareth can be contacted via mail@penmon.org
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HARDWICKE FAMILY AT PENMON?
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The following enquiry was received from Duncan Sands. Are you able to help please? KD
I see on your website for Penmon that the 1901 Barons Hill census shows Annie Mackeeg as Housekeeper, aged 46, born Croydon, Surrey. My paternal grandmother was a Mackeeg, and I am in possession of a book "All The Year Round", Vol 34. Published in 1884. The first page is inscribed by hand " A. Mackeeg a gift from Lady Hardwicke".
Does the name Hardwicke have any relevance to Penmon?
Do you have any further information re Annie Mackeeg?
I would appreciate any help. Thanks.
Duncan can be contacted via mail@penmon.org
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JAMES SUNNERS
Penmon Publican?
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I received a very interesting request from Sue Loughran, who asked for details of a pub in Penmon. She'd heard that James Sunners had left Liverpool and moved to Penmon, where he had allegedly run a public house in the late 1800s or early 1900's.
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James Maule Sunners, born 1851, married Sue's great grandma Annie Elizabeth Carver on 31st August 1873. He was 22 and she was 21. They had four children, eldest James William Sunners (my grandfather) John Edward Sunners, Charles Sunners and a little girl Annie.
Sue continues; My great grandma died aged 28 from pneumonia and of course James had to marry again so the children could be looked after. I know he married Belinda (Lena) Magure, and when she died he married again. I think the boys had grown up and had moved away when he had the pub. I suppose Annie would still be young enough to be with her dad and stepmother.
It's more mysterious than ever why he went to Wales, word of mouth in the family say he ran a pub, but that might have been his story. I know that James's daughter, Annie, was allegedly a bit of a flirt, as she had two boys out of wedlock. One died in the Liverpool workhouse, both called Alexander McDonald Sunners.
The other boy was brought up in France and was lost after the nuns looking after him were dispersed in the First World War, and was only found in the 1950's as a farmer, who'd joined a circus when he ran away from the nuns school by my Dad's cousin, looking for her half brother. This Alexander had no notion that he was English.
My Gt Uncle Charlie was champion jockey in France for several years and we had family (Carvers originally from Whitchurch) in the racing business at Chantilly, hence the French connection, and Annie went to France, had a liaison with Alexander McDonald, a jockey friend of her brother Charlie. Hence the two babies.
Worse was to come Charlie had a friend called Prince Murat unwealthy aristocracy - same family as Boney's general, and they both were cash strapped and allegedly sold the same race horse over and over, saying it was safely stabled and trained in the Carver Stables. They were found out, apparently spread all over the newspapers of the time and Charlie had to flee the country and ended up as a Wrangler in Canada and worked his way down to Texas.
The First World War started and there was an amnesty for Brits speaking French, and he returned and did his bit for King and country, eventually became an Insurance Agent (Club man) in Liverpool, bit of a let down I suppose after all his adventures, and was beloved by all the family. His son James died last year aged 82.
The baby in the census was Uncle Harry, his mother was James Maule Sunners third wife, my dad spoke of him often, my dad was only born in 1902 and Harry was only about 2 years older than him. Harry had two sons, one died several years ago, and in 2007 I went to USA with a pal and we met his other son, Brian Sunners, a retired engineer, living in New York State, but born in Liverpool, he was a lovely man with a great sense of humour, and my friend couldn't get over how much like my late husband he was, although no relation.
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James worked all over as an engineer, in foundries etc and spent his youth as a cabin boy on the China run.
I do know he eventually came back to Liverpool, I think there's something more to it than just going for a job in Wales.
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I am very grateful to John Williams for his observations on the possibilities of a Penmon Pub. KD
I am not aware that there was ever a pub, in the usual sense of the word, in Penmon.
In 1841 a Richard Roberts was living at Pwll Crwn, and he was described as a publican aged 60. By 1851 he had died, and my ancestors were one of the two families living at Pwll Crwn, where various generations stayed (in Pwll Crwn Bach) until at least the 1960's.
Richard Roberts, the publican, and his son and his wife are buried in Llangoed Church.
I have always thought that the Roberts family probably kept a room serving beer to quarry workers returning home after work. I know of a number of these tiny drinking places which can hardly be called pubs.
I am wondering if the Sunners family did the same around 1900 in their house, Dinorben Cottage. It is also on a route the quarry workers would taken on their way home. Around 1900 there were many people working in the Penmon quarries. James Summers was an engine fitter and I wonder if he worked maintaining the machinery at one of the quarries.
This is all guesswork, but could well be an explanation.
There was, and still is, a pub in Llangoed called Tafarn y Rhyd.
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Sue adds; Probably while James was at work in the quarry his wife Mary would sell the beer from the back door, I know there were lots of so-called victuallers in the streets of Liverpool. Thank you so much for your time, my cousin and myself are much in your debt. My friend and I will drive over late summer and take some photos.
Can you throw any light on James Sunners? Sue can be contacted via mail@penmon.org
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OWEN OWENS
born 1890
Llain Wen, Penmon
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Received the following enquiry from Gareth Owen;
Hello Ken, My great taid was Owen Owens who lived at Llain Wen and he left Penmon to work in the Little Orme Quarry, where he met and married my nain. I am just wondering as to where all his brothers and sisters went. I will look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Owen's parents were Owen and Ellen Owens. In 1901 Owen Owens 49, a quarryman born in Llanddona, lived at Llain Wen with his wife and children who were all born in Penmon and bilingual. Owen spoke only Welsh. His wife Ellen 43, cared for their children Robert T. 18, a joiner, Maggie A 13, Owen 11, twins Mary and Thomas both 8, Willie 7, Henry 5, Ellen 3 and Elizabeth 2 months old.
Ten years earlier, in 1891 Owen was a game keeper and aged 39 and was also residing at Llain Wen with his wife Ellen 33 and children Robert T. 8, John 7, Margaret A. 3, Owen 2 and Hugh 3 months.
Owen died on the 11th January, 1911. His gravestone reads;
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Er serchog gof am
OWEN OWENS Llainwen, Penmon
hwn a fu farw Ionawr 10fed 1911 yn 59 mlwydd oed.
Hefyd ei annwyl briod
ELLEN OWENS
a fu farw Ionawr 14eg 1940 yn 82 mlwydd oed.
"Gorffwyso maent mewn hedd".
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Widow Ellen aged, 53 was still living at Llain Wen after her husband's death with her family consisting of John H, 27 a rockman at the quarry, daughter Mary Williams, 18, now married, Thomas, 18 a labourer, William, 17, a horse driver, Ellen,13, in school, and Lizzie, 10, also in school. The family appear to have dropped the 's' from their Owens surname.
Neither Gareth's great taid Owen Owen, born about 1890, nor Owen's brother Hugh were living at home in 1911. He married Ellen Williams of Llandudno in 1917, and is believed to have left Penmon in 1920.
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Gareth concludes; I think some of his brothers went to work on the docks on the Wirral, unfortunately all my relatives who would have known the wherabouts of any of my Taid's brothers or sisters have since died. For some reason my Taid also seems to have dropped the 's' off his surname to become Owen Owen.
Gareth can be contacted via mail@penmon if you can help him with his enquiry
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BRYN CAIM
&
COEDWIG TERRACE
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I stumbled across your website by accident and thoroughly enjoyed it, congratulations on such a wonderful job I was up till 3am going through it.
I was born and raised in Llangoed my mother was from Penmon and my father from Llangoed. He played in the great Llangoed football team in the early seventies. I notice you have no mention of anyone living at Pant Y Celyn in Llangoed or Coedwig Terrace in Penmon where my parents came from. I wonder if you or anyone else could help with any information regarding the people or the history of these terraces. I was led to believe that the building of coedwig terrace had to be stopped as The Bulkeleys could not prove the land was theirs.
Terry Hogan
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Terry recalls from memory that his grandparents moved to Coedwig Terrace around 1937 when their eldest daughter was born. His grandmother Gwyneth (Gwen) Jones was brought up in Bryn, Caim which is some 50 metres up towards Dinmor House from Cae Merddyn, as her brother Emyr Owen and sister Maggie Owen lived there up until the early seventies. Dinmor house used to be a Quarrymans club and I remember an old uncle of mine who was one of 13 brothers who lived in Pentre Falun which is on the top of Park Terrace, just up from St. Cawrdafs Church, telling me of an early morning raid there to arrest afterhours drinkers.
My Great Grandparents were William born around 1873 in Llanddona and Jane Owen, born around 1880 in Penmon. They married in 1903. In 1911, the family were living at Bryn Caim, Penmon.
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1911, Bryn Caim, Penmon.
William Owen was 40, and worked as a labourer at the limestone quarry. Jane was 31. At the time they had two children, Mary 6 and John Emyr just 2 months old.
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Sadly, their daughter Mary died of pneumonia on the 28th December 1918, aged 12. This affected William quite badly and he developed mental health problems. Terry has a vague memory of the house, it was one of two tiny cottages which has by now been redeveloped into one.
The couple had another two children, Gwyneth, Terry's grandmother, and Maggie.
William Owen died on the 15th January 1926, aged 53, and Jane Owen died on the 8th September 1958, aged 78. She lived at Bryn at the time of her death.
Jane is buried with her husband William and daughter Mary at St Seiriol's Church, Penmon
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Er serchog gof am
MARY
annwyl blentyn
WILLIAM a JANE OWEN
Bryn, Penmon,
a fu farw Tach. 22 1918
yn 12 mlwydd oed.
Hefyd y dywededig
WILLIAM OWEN
a fu farw Ionawr 15 1926
yn 53 mlwydd oed.
Ac am
JANE OWEN
a fu farw Medi 8 1958
yn 78 oed.
"Llewyrch y goleuni tragwyddol arnynt".
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Terry's great Grandparents on his grandfathers side lived at number 10 Coedwig Terrace. His name was William Jones, they moved there from Birkenhead.
William Jones of 10 Coedwig Terrace is buried at St Cawrda. He died on the 18th June 1951 aged 78 and his wife Mary died on the 1st August, 1945 aged 71.
Terry's paternal Great Grandfather and Grandmother lived in number 6 Pant y Celyn and must have been in residence in1911. His name was John Thomas known as Jack Ty'n Cae and he came from the Red Wharf Bay area. By all accounts he was an excellent bare knuckle fighter, they used to hold bouts inside the castle in Beaumaris on Sunday nights during the summer months. He died around 1960.
Terry's great Grandmother was Jane Thomas, her maiden name is currently unknown.
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1911 census - Pen y Berth, Llangoed
John Thomas aged 26 was head of the household. He worked as a rockman at the limestone quarry and was born in Llangoed. He had been married for 4 years to Jane, now aged 24.
Their family consisted of Annie aged 4, William 2 and Richard 11 months.
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They had four children;
Will who died around 1964. He had two children, Dennis and Peggy.
Blodwen who I think died in the early eighties.
Eirwen, Terry's grandmother who is still alive aged 90. She married Tom Hogan from Bangor and had four children. John or Johnnie my father, who was brought up by his grandparents in Llangoed and died in 1995, Elizabeth (Betty), Jean and Gerald who were brought up in Bangor.
Richard (Dick) who was a batchelor.
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