Llangadog, Capel Gwynfe and Bethlehem Community website

It’s the centenary of Dylan Thomas’ birth this year, and I’ve recently been thinking about his connections with Llangadog (I’m just “passing through” Llangadog but my uncle, Eifion Jones, was Vicar here for many years). I’d be very grateful for help in adding to, or correcting, any of the information given below.

Dylan’s paternal grandmother was Anne Lewis, born in Llangadog in 1835. She married Evan Thomas and lived in The Poplars, Johnstown, in Carmarthen. Their son, David John, was Dylan’s father.

Anne’s father, William Lewis, was also born in Llangadog, in 1795. He was a gardener who eventually moved to Carmarthen, and was living at The Poplars at the 1881 census.

Dylan also had an aunt who was born and brought up in Llangadog. She was Ellen Ann Lewis, born 1866, who may or may not have been related to William Lewis. I believe her parents were a William and Rachel Lewis; he’s a railway porter in the 1861 census, and was born in 1838. But Ellen was brought up by her great-grandmother, Ann Vinson, who ran the Rose and Crown pub with her husband, James (1841-1871). Aged sixteen, Ellen is still living with Ann in 1881 at “Bankyrefel”, Llangadog, by which time Ann had left the pub and was “In receipt of parochial relief.”

danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog
Posted by Michelle on 10/12/2011, 10:36 am

Can anyone help ?I found an old newspaper clipping.Looks like the house my grandfather lived in when he was young (around 1905 - 1915?).My grandfather was Thomas Franics Jones.His Father was Howell Jones who owned or ran the White Lion.Any information would be helpfull.

Re: danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog
Posted by J D R Thomas on 10/12/2011, 7:56 pm, in reply to "danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog"

A little help is that THOMAS FRANCIS JONES was age 2 in 1901 Census at WHITE LION, LLangadock.

Re: danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog
Posted by Lloyd Evans on 10/12/2011, 9:27 pm, in reply to "danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog"

Can you post the newspaper clipping that you allude to onto this message board? Also ,you refer in your message heading to Danyrallt House, is this the White Lion?

Re: danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog
Posted by Michelle (nee Jones) on 11/12/2011, 9:49 am, in reply to "Re: danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog"

Unsure if these two places are the same.It's danyrallt house not mansion.Will try to send clipping to message board.Give me a day or two .again thank you.

Re: danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog
Posted by Michelle (nee Jones) on 11/12/2011, 9:43 am, in reply to "danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog"

Hi , thanks for responing so quickly.Thomas was born in the White Lion in 1898 to Howell & Elizibeth (nee Jones).He had 3 brothers and only 1 sister.At the age of around 8 his parents died. He was sent to live with 2 unmarried uncles at Wern Farm Llanddew (is this any where near Llangadog)?I know that at some time he did live in Llangadock - Queens square.(is this the some place as Llangadog)?He was a POW in World War 1.Came back to Wales for arond 2 years then on to Canada till around 1925 then on to New Zealand.He never returned to Wales but wrote to his sister , nephew and to his brother Eddie who die in 1960.But now all relatives that we knew have past and there are so many questions.I am now finding names of lost aunts etc who we know nothing about.Plus this newspaper clipping that was sent in the late 1950's or early 1960's so how does this fit in with my Grandfather?I will try to send this clipping to the message board.But give me a day or two.Thomas's brothers were Eddie (or Eddie Peters - as he was known) , Willie , John and Margaret - who died at the age of 98(Margaret had no children).Thanks again.

London Gazette 10.2.1911
Posted by jane on 27/4/2014, 4:05 pm, in reply to "danyrallt house a stone built farmhouse at Llangadog"

HOWELL JONES, Deceased.
TPursxiant to the Statute 22 and 23 Victoria, cap. 35,
intituled " An Act to further amend the Law of
Property and to relieve Trustees."
~Vf OTICE is hereby given, that all creditors and
.Li other persons having any claims or demands
upon or against the estate of Howell Jones, late of
the White Lion Inn, Llangadock, Licensed Victualler
and Butcher, deceased (who died on the 31st day of
-July, 1910, and letters of administration to whose
estate and effects were granted to Elizabeth Jones,
who died on the 27th day of October, 1910; and
â€¢further letters of administration to the unadministered
part of the estate of the said Howell
Jones were granted to Mary Price, of Queen's-square,
Llangadock aforesaid, the administratrix therein
named, on the 29th day of December, 1910, by the
Principal Probate Registry of His Majesty's High
Court of Justice), are hereby required to send, in
writing, the particulars of their claims or demand's
to the undersigned, Solicitor for the said administratrix,
on or before the 15th day of March, 1911,
after which date,the said administratrix will proceed
to distribute the assets of the said Howell Jones,
deceased, amongst the parties entitled thereto, having
regard only to the claims of which she shall have
had notice; and that she will not be liable for the
assets, or any part thereof, so distributed, to any
person of whose â€¢ claim she shall not then have had
notice.â€”Dated this 7th day of February, 1911.
. THOMAS PHILLIPS, Llandovery, Carmarthen

Luce was daughter of William Lewis and Mary Richards. She married a David Phillips in 1856, and died in 1912. Does this ring any bells with anyone?

Whilst researching my family tree I have discovered my Grx2 Grandfather was baptised in 1824 in Gwynfe Independent Chapel Llangadock,I have searched in vain to find it ,Is it possibly known by another name?Also on the 1841 Census he is living in Noyadd,Gynfe Hamlet,in 1851 it is spelt Nuadd,Gwynfe.I cannot find this either,I believe it means Hall in Welsh is this correct?I would be very grateful if anyone could help me with this problem.Diolch yn fawr Jacqui

Re: Family History
Posted by Lloyd Evans on 13/7/2010, 10:15 am, in reply to "Family History"

There is a web site at www.cwmammanhistory.co.uk which I'm sure will be of interest to you.

Re: Family History
Posted by Jacqui on 16/7/2010, 8:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Family History"

Thankyou Lloyd for yor message.I have visited the site and found it really helpful.Again many Thanks

Re: Family History
Posted by J D R THOMAS on 26/7/2010, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Family History"

It is Neuadd, Gwynfe Hamlet of Llangadock Parish. May appear as 'NOYADD' in some Censuses.
In 1851 Census, there is MICHAEL THOMAS, age 32 Head of 63 Acres, and he was a Shoemaker as well!
In 1901 Census we have JOHN THOMAS as Head, age 45; his 2nd wife was ANNE nee Williams(a sister of my Grandmother). By way of further interest, a sister of JOHN THOMAS was the wife of BERIAH GWYNFE EVANS who was Headteacher of Gwynfe (British) School during 1867-1882. It's an interesting story!

Re: Family History
Posted by Cheryl Ager on 5/7/2014, 10:20 pm, in reply to "Family History"

Hi Jacqui - fancy seeing your name here! I've only just found this website, and have sent a message to Rob Grey. Unfortunately I have not been able to get any further back than we already know. Mum reminded me recently that my grandfather was adamant that the Lewis's came from Scotland - but where, and how on earth to find out , I do not know. Hope all is well with you.

Re: Family History
Posted by J D R on 11/7/2014, 8:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Family History"

Gwynfe Independent Chapel in 1924 was "JERUSALEM", while versions of NEUADD appeared in Censuses by other names, such as 'Noyadd'
Regards,
JDR

Llwyn yr Adar Formerly Golden Lion Pub
Posted by Huw Pritchard on 15/3/2013, 12:40 pm

Hi, My mother has recently bought Llywn yr Adar, formerly the Golden Lion and I am trying to find out more about the history of the property. Any information gratefully recieved but of particular interest is about when it was a pub and stopped being so. Also one of the historic old photos (07) on this site show it white washed; any idea when that was replaced with the current grey render? Also any other photos showing the building in the past or recent past will be of interest.
Thanks
Huw Pritchard

Re: Llwyn yr Adar Formerly Golden Lion Pub
Posted by Professor J D R Thomas on 16/3/2013, 5:01 pm, in reply to "Llwyn yr Adar Formerly Golden Lion Pub"

I first got to know of the Golden Lion, Llangadog in 1942, when at age 16 at the height of World War II we had to register in a Youth Movement of which Urdd Gobaith Cymru (founded in 1922-23 by Ifan ab Owen Edwards, whom I later got to know quite well) was a suitable body. Also Young Farmers' Club was eligible. Re the Golden Lion, it already wasn't a Pub in 1942, but Public Meetings were held in its LONG ROOM, and I especially remember this occasion of a Urdd Meeting which I believe was a Slide Show - possibly by 'Magic Lantern'.

Re: Llwyn yr Adar Formerly Golden Lion Pub
Posted by David Pelham on 29/7/2014, 4:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Llwyn yr Adar Formerly Golden Lion Pub"

Hi, I've got a mortgage document dated 18/01/1868
if that's of interest(GoldenLion)
regards David Pelham

Does anyone haveany information on Neuadd (Farm) gwynfe.My ancestor William Lewis was living there and is recorded as a Blacksmith.Michael Thomas was apparently the owner, who I read somewhere was involved in the Rebecca riots.

Re: William Lewis Neuadd
Posted by Cheryl Ager on 5/7/2014, 9:51 pm, in reply to "William Lewis Neuadd"

My eyes popped out on stalks when I saw your message, as my 2nd great grandfather was a William Lewis who lived at the same address in 1841 and 1851 censuses as Michael Thomas. BUT, William Lewis was a Shoemaker, not a Blacksmith, so I wonder if there is a duplicate family? My William Lewis was born 16 May 1824, in Gwynfe, with parents William Lewis, also a Shoemaker, and Mary Richards (I believe). What do you think?

My maiden name is Lewis. All my Welsh family stayed in Wales except for my Dad's Dad who, after too many coal mining accidents/deaths in the family decided to try for a different way of life away from the mines, and moved to Surrey in 1935.

I went to Gwynfe in about 1996, but didn't see the farms on the censuses at that time.

Re: William Lewis Neuadd
Posted by rob grey on 8/9/2014, 11:39 am, in reply to "Re: William Lewis Neuadd"
Edited by board administrator 8/9/2014, 11:50 am

This is the same man. I presume your grandfather was Stephen of Weybridge my grandmother's brother. Currently travelling so I will contact you properly tomorrow.

Re: William Lewis Neuadd
Posted by Cheryl Ager on 8/9/2014, 4:40 pm, in reply to "Re: William Lewis Neuadd"

Just found you on my family tree! I see that you're Jennet Lewis's grandson, and yes Stephen was my grandpop.

My email address is my name as above, all small letters and no gaps, @hotmail.com

Re: William Lewis Neuadd
Posted by rob grey on 9/9/2014, 5:23 pm, in reply to "Re: William Lewis Neuadd"

Hi Cheryl hope you received an email today.its a bit temperamenatal at the moment.so if you havent let me know by means of this forum

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