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WILLIAM and ELLEN WILLIAMS' CHILDREN |
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Jane Williams was the eldest child, baptised on the 23rd Agust 1849 and was living at Bryn Pwn at the time of her birth. Jane had left home by the 1871 census. We know she had at least four children and four grandchildren.
Jane married a Mr Jones. Their children were; Jane who had a daughter Nellie; William who had three children, whose initials were R., J. and A.; Robert and also a fourth child. |
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Ellen Williams, baptised on the 16th November 1850, married Edward Davies pictured below. They are my great grandparents.
They had four children, William Edward, Margaret, Ellen Maud and my grandfather, Idwal Glyn Davies. |
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Edward was born in Llanarmon yn Ial, and married Ellen Williams of Pentre Mawr, Capel Garmon. He worked as a lead miner at Nant Bwlch yr Haearn, and was also a choirmaster in Llanrwst. The lived at 3 School Bank Terrace.
The 1881 census shows the family consisting on Edward 25, working as a miner, wife Ellen 30, and children William Edward 3 and Margret 1, both born in Llanrwst. John Owen 23, a joiner from Llangerniew was lodging with them.
Edward left for America and the intention was for the rest of the family to follow. I've established from shipping records that an Edward Davies left home for America, arriving there on the 24th February 1890, having sailed on the City of Chester ship.
Ellen 40 at the 1891 census has no employment recorded against her name. Edward could have been sending money home. Son William Edward 13 was a scholar, Margaret is not recorded as living at home, Ellen Maud was 7 and my grandfather, Idwal Glyn, 4 years old.
Please see the link to Edward Davies on the left of the page for more details of her family and life. |
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Henry Williams was baptised on the 13th August 1871, and was resident at Pentre Mawr in 1881, aged 9. See 5/04/1891 Census information below. |
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Margaret Williams, baptised on the 9th March 1854, appears on the 1861 census of Pentremawr. She had two children, whose initials were W. and E. |
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Elizabeth Williams was baptised on the 11th December 1861 and appears on the 1871 Pentre Mawr Census only. |
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John Williams was baptised on the 24th September 1869 and was living at home in 1871 and 1881, but had left by 1891, possibly to America, where he died in 1932 aged 64. He is buried in Capel Garmon with his parents. |
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Elizabeth married Thomas Bythell of Hafod Farm, Brynford, Flintshire. She died in 1946 and is buried with her husband.
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In Loving Memory of THOMAS E. BYTHELL late of Hafod Farm, who died June 10th 1941, aged 90 years. Also ELIZABETH wife of the above who died March 18th 1946 aged 85 |
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Alice Williams was baptised on the 24th March 1860 and lived at Pentre Mawr during the 1861 and 1871 censuses. See 5/04/1891 Census information below.
She died on the 11th November 1918 and is buried with herparents at Capel Garmon. |
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Winifred Williams, known as Gwen, was baptised on the 7th November 1855. She marriied Thomas Bowen. The couple had three children, Mary, William Morris and Thomas Edward.
Gwen and her husband Thomas are pictured below with two of their children. William Morris is on Gwen's knee and Mary Bowen is standing. |
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05/04/1891 CENSUS DAY
Alice Williams (30) and her brother Henry Williams (19), children of William and Ellen Williams had moved to 230 County Road, Walton-On-The Hill, Liverpool, after the death of William and the takeover of the farm at Pentre Mawr by Robert Williams. Alice was running a confectioners business with her cousin Margaret Hughes (30). Margaret was the daughter of John Hughes who was the brother of Alice's mother Ellen. John Hughes ran a Grocers and Drapers shop and lived at Voelas House next to the White Horse Inn at Capel Garmon. Living with Alice and Henry was Alice's niece Margaret Davies (11), the daughter of Edward and Ellen Davies from Llanrwst. Margaret was listed as a Scholar and was therefore attending a school in Liverpool. Edward Davies was living in America at this time but, as far as was known, was still alive.
Also living with them was Ellen Jones, a servant from Llanrwst. Henry Williams was working as a Warehouseman. It is understood that he later succeeded in business and went to live in Southport, Lancs.
'Maggie' wasn't on the 1901 census for Alice and Henry Williams who had moved from 230 County Road, Walton, to live at 270 Anfield Road, only a few streets away from Liverpool Football Club. She would have been 21 by then and finished her education in Liverpool.
I am grateful to Chris and Lynda Kilfoyle for this additional information. |
Below; Thomas Bowen
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Mary Bowen. the eldest of Gwen and Thomas' children was baptised on the 14th February 1885. She was a teacher and unmarried. She is buried at Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.
William Morris Bowen was born on the 28th September 1885. He married Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Evan and Elizabeth Evans nee Jones, at Capel Gilead, Penmynydd, Anglesey on April 19th 1922. William was a Master Mariner and died on December 28th 1940 and is buried at Gilead.
William and Elizabeth's first child Gwen Eleri Bowen.
Their second child Ifor William Bowen married Ethel Annewn Jones in Blaenau Ffestiniog in May 1950. Mr Bowen has been a tremendous source of information with his correspondence over the years about his family. He took my parents and me around various family homes in Capel Garmon, in what was truly an unforgettable day. His daughter Angharad has also been a great help. She is married to Adrian Gordon Piles-Holmes, and they have two children, Timothy and Eleri. Please visit the links to other websites to learn more about Angharad.
William and Elizabeth's third child was Evan Wyn Bowen, born in 1930. He married Mona Catherine Jones. They have two sons, John Wyn Meredith Bowen and Robin Huw Bowen.
John Wyn Meredith Bowen married Kristine McLuckie at Reading and they have three children, Hannah Elizabeth, Thomas and Fiona.
Robin Huw Bowen is the foremost player of the uniquely Welsh triple harp, as well as a campaigner for its revival and he is the manager of his own record company and press. Born in Liverpool to Welsh speaking parents, Robin learned how to play the simple Celtic Harp in school. He played locally for several years and joined the Welsh traditional group, Mabsant in 1986. He set up his own press Gwasg Teires in to publish old Welsh harp tunes collections. His book of two hundred hornpipes 'Tro Llaw' was published by the We;sh National Library, Aberystwyth.
Robin Huw Bowen is a player of the Welsh Triple Harp, known in Welsh as Telyn Deires (Three-row Harp), and is recognised internationally as the leading exponent of the instrument. He was awarded the Glyndwr Award in 2000.
Born into the Welsh community in Liverpool, England into a family originally from Anglesey, Robin learned to play the simple Celtic Harp while at school, inspired by the Breton harper, Alan Stivell. In 1979 he received a degree in Welsh Language and Literature from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
He was first exposed to the more complicated Welsh Triple Harp by two members of the Welsh traditional music group Ar Log, brothers Dafydd and Gwyndaf Roberts. They had learned to play the instrument from Mansi Richards, one of the last truly traditional Welsh folk harpists from the previous generation, and the very last to still play the Welsh Triple harp in the correct traditional manner.
Although he regularly performs as a soloist, Robin joined the Welsh traditional group Mabsant in 1986 and later joined Cusan Tan. Since 1998 he has been a member of the Welsh 'super-group' Crasdant. In 2004 he and four other Triple Harpists formed Rhes Ganol, the very first Welsh Triple Harp 'Choir' to exist since that of Llanover Court during its heyday at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Robin Huw Bowen worked for many years at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwuyth. While there he discovered several old collections of Welsh tunes and arrangements for harp, some of which have since been published either by the Library or by his own music publishing company, Gwasg Teires. His research has also drawn on living sources, in particular the harpist Eldra Jarman (great granddaughter of John Roberts ('Telynor Cymru') the last exponent of the true Welsh Gypsy Harping tradition.
Albums
- Trwy'r Weiar - Through the Wire (1987) with Mabsant
- Telyn Berseiniol Fy Ngwlad - Sweet Harp of My Land (1991)
- Cusan Tân - Kiss of Fire (1992) with Cusan Tân
- Hela'r Draenog - Hunting the Hedgehog (1994)
- Cerddoriaeth Telyn Cymru - Harp Music Of Wales (1995)
- Esgair - The Ridge (1996) with Cusan Tân
- Hen Aelwyd - Old Hearth (1999)
- Crasdant (1999) with Crasdant
- Nos Sadwrn Bach - Not Yet Saturday (2001) with Crasdant
- Yn y Gwaed - In the Blood (2004) with Rhes Ganol
- Dwndwr - The Great Noise (2005) with Crasdant
- Y Ffordd i Aberystwyth - The Road to Aberystwyth (2007)
Robin has performed in numerous Welsh locations and is an International star, having played in America, where his harp playing is extremely popular. I am grateful to Robin for putting me in touch with his uncle, Mr Ifor Bowen, who is mentioned earlier. |
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Robert Williams, born in 1864, continued to farm Pentre Mawr following the death of his father in 1883. He is head of household in the 1891 census and is married to Ann, aged 31. They have a two year old daughter Alice. A.. His mother Elinor, 65 is still living at the home.
Ten years on in1901, Ann has died. Other children of the marriage are believed to be; William born and died in 1891, Margaret E. born 1892, Robert Morris Williams born 1895 and Jane born and died in1896. |
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Mother Elinor was still helping her son out at Pentre Mawr, a widow aged 76. Robert is believed to have remarried around 1901, as we know he had a further three children, Anne 1910 - 1911, Grace and Gwen. Robert's wife's initials were M.J.. Gwen went as a servant to Liverpool.
Alice Ann Williams married a Mr Jarvis and the couple had three children, Alfred, Andy and Robert. Alice at one time, kept a cake shop in Liverpool. |
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The gravestone is in memory of Anne, dear child of Robert and M.J. Williams, Pentre Mawr, who died on the 16th February 1911, aged 11 months. Also Martha Alwena, dear child of Cadwaladr and Gwen Williams, Is-Y-Deri who died 6th December 1938, aged 2 years and 2 months old.
Also M.J. Williams, the above, who died March 13th 1939, aged 68. Nef wen sydd amgenach, na helynt byd. |
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William Williams was baptised on the 12th April 1852 at Capel Garmon.
William was at Pentre Mawr during the 1861 census. He went into the Ministry and in 1881 was a Theological Student, living at 2 Castle View, (Llangollen) Bache, Denbighshire, with a David Williams who was also a student at the Baptist College, Llangollen. He and his wife had six children; Gwladys, Hywel, John Herbert, Trefor, Evelyn and William. |
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Gwladys married Goronwy Edwards who later became knighted. I recall the couple visiting us at Bryn Tirion, Dolgellau in May 1969.It was the one and only time I've met a Knight of the Realm. They both kindly gave me their autographs. KD.
The Couple are buried at Halkyn, Flintshire. |
Er Cof Am
Syr Goronwy Edwards FBA 1891-1976
Hanesydd, Cynnrawd Anrhydeddus Coleg Iesu, Rhydychen, Athro ym Mrhifysgol Llundain
Hefyd ei annwyl briod Gwladys 1891-1982 |
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Hywel had a son Aled.
Trefor had a son Gwyn, who himself had a daughter Eirwen, who married an Italian gentleman whose surname was Giovanni. |
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Back row; Parchedig William Williams; Slianw 'bach', daughter of Jane Williams; John Williams;
Seated; Wife of Parchedig William Williams; Gwen Bowen nee Williams; Mary Jones, nee Williams. |
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Mary was baptised on the 2nd December 1857. She married a Mr Jones, whose picture is believed to be below .
The couple had four known children, Elizabeth (Ellen), Mary, John, who had two children, Ethel and Mary, and William. |
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Mary Jones above, and daughter Mary, below, who became known as Aunty Mary Colwyn Bay. |
Mary's husband above, and daughter Ellen below, who became known as Aunty Nell, Llanfair Talhaearn. |
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Morris Williams was baptised on the 29th January 1866. He married Jennie and the couple lived in America. I am grateful to Angharad Pile-Holmes for the information contained here.
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Morris and Jennie Williams were living in Spokane, Washington on the 6th June 1900. They owned their home at 1320 Third Avenue. Morris reported that he was born in Wales in June 1866 and Jennie was born in April 1871, also in Wales.
He immigrated in 1887 and became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 1893. Jenny immigrated in 1896. Morris was a salesman. The couple married in 1896 and there had been no births to the couple at this time.
Morris is pictured with his daughter, and son William Vaughan Williams. |
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In January 1920, the couple were living at 843 8th Street Clarkson, Asotin County, Washington.
Morris was then 53 and Jennie, 50. He was employed as the manager of a lumbar company. Their son William was four and a half years old. He is pictured left.The census did not ask how many births the mother had had.
Morris died on the 1st February 1941 aged 75 in Spokane City.
Morris returned to Wales at one point and marruied an old girlfriend. They both left for America. |
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William Williams of Pentre Mawr died on the 22nd June 1883 aged 70. Ellen died 28th June 1902, aged 88.
They are buried at St Germain's Churchyard Capel Garmon, with their son John who died 1932 and their daughter Alice, who died 11th November 1918. |
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Er Coffadwriaeth am WILLIAM WILLIAMS Pentre Mawr, Yr hwn a fu farw Mehefin 22ain 1883 yn 70 mlwydd oed.
Daw'r dydd i'r cyfiawn tranoeth teg. Daw i'm ychwaneg estyn, Daw i'm o'r bedd godiad i fyw, Deheulaw Duw a'm derbyn.
Hefyd ei briod ELLEN WILLIAMS , Yr hon a fy farw Mehefin 28ain 1902 yn 77 oed. Hefyd JOHN WILLIAMS eu mab. Bu farw yn America yn 64 mlwydd oed. Bu farw Mawrth 31ain 1932. Hefyd ALICE WILLIAMS eu merch, Yr hon a fu farw Tachwedd 11eg 1918 yn 58 oed. |
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I am grateful to Chris and Lynda Kilfoyle for the following information on Pentre Mawr.
Lynda and I knew about Pentre Mawr because her dad Robert Glynne Williams loved being taken by us to Llanrwst and told us stories about the family and the area. One day we decided to go up to Capel Garmon with him and he led us to the family grave (William Williams etc.) in the graveyard. We then drove to Pentre Mawr which Bob recalled visiting as a young boy and sliding down the banister. Actually, the banister is very short so he must have been very small at the time! We quickly saw that the farmhouse was now a cottage for hire and a family was staying there at the time. They welcomed Bob into the house to have a look around. Excited at this first visit, Lynda and I phoned the agents for the property and got a brochure. Several years later we hired Pentre Mawr for a long weekend in March with snow on the top of Moel Siabod and a cold wind whistling through the front door. It was very comfortable though and the coal and log fire is wonderful.
Pentre Mawr was constructed in 1598 during the reign of Elizabeth 1 and there is an old wooden plaque in Latin to show it!. The doorways are very low and the visitors book testifies to lots of people bumping their heads. Once inside the rooms, the ceiling height is fine and the owner,has done everything to make the house very comfortable. Outside, the back garden has been developed into a wonderful place to sit while pheasants, woodpeckers and nuthatches visit. At the front door, Lynda and I have played around trying to copy the expressions on the faces of the Williams family in the famous photograph of the whole family. I gave the owner a copy of the photograph and she has framed it and hung it in the cottage by the dining table.
William Williams didn't own Pentre Mawr but rented it from a rich Liverpudlian family until son Robert eventually bought it following William's death.
Ethel, Bob's wife is the great grandaughter of the famous preacher Dr David Roberts who is listed in a book called "Eminent Men of Denbighshire"! | |
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