Montgomershire Farmers related. Bunner,Davies,Ellis  Evans,Howell, Hughes,Jehu,Jones,Morris,Owens, Reynolds, Roberts ,Rogers,Williams

Shropshire Farmers related.   Beddoes,Brisborne,Calcott, Chidley, Downes,Gittins, Hobson ,Kent, Lewis Powell, Slater,Smith, Wynn

U.K.Familes related  Billington,Church, Cobb.Edmunds, Frazer  ,Hooker, Johnston, Jourd, Morgan, Norris, Price, Rake, Remi,Stanley, Steele,Wilkinson. Warren,Woods. 

Montgomeryshire Farms.              Berriew ,Blackwood,Dyffryn , Llwynderw,Wernllwyd .Upper Brithdir Churchstoke. Bacheldre.     Forden Edderton Rhydygroes GuilsfieldBurntHouse Llanbrynmair Diosg Hafodwen Tynyrwtn, Llandysilio.Church House,Gwernybuarth Llanerfyl   Coed Talog,Neuadd Wen  Llangadfan Blowty,Cyffin,, Penygribin,    Llanfair Berthfawr Bryn Penarth, Dolgead, Gelli,, Gelligason, GwaenynogGwynyndy Llanloddian Isa and Ucha, Moeldrehaiarn, Rallt Issa,Rhydygro Llanfechain Bodynfol,Finnant, Tybaen,  Llanfihangel          Dolwar Fach Rhydebyde, TynyCyl, Llangyniew The Weeg (Wig Ucha). Llansantfraidd   Plasgwyn.  Llanwnog Grosstyd Llanwydellan Ty Issa Meifod Garth Tietref Nantymechiead. Pontyscowrid(Pant yr Cuenyd) Tregynon. Gwaintrebedde  Welshpool Glan Hafren,  Radnorshire Pentre Farm (Corwen) 

Shropshire Farms,  at Alberbury -Eyton Upper and Lower Farms and Brook House,Crew Green. Fields Farm Melverley. at Berrington- Fox Farm,Betton Strange and Russell Place.   at Bitterley-Brook House farm,Snitton Hall Farm and Church Farm and Hall Farm Ditton Priors.          at Edgmond-Adney Farm.Ellerton Grange and Whitley Manor,Chetwynd.    at Oswestry -Dunewydd Farm Whittington,;New Hall Hanmer,;Church House Farm St Martins,; Pleasant Grove Gobowen; Lower House Farm, Knockin; Penypark.Maesbury.           at Shrewsbury south -Wellbatch Farm Annscroft ;Longden Hall Farm, ;Langley Hall Acton Burnell,; Lower Farm Pitchford ;  The Manor Farm Stapleton ;Side Farm ,Netley,;Picklescote Farm Smethcott,; Walford Farm Dorrington; Castle Place Pulverbatch.,; Rectory Farm Woolstaston; Middle Farm Batchcote.Upper and Lower Sutton Farms,             at Westbury Stretton Hall,,Field Farm,; Lower Wallop Farm.    at West Felton The Fords Farm.Twyford    OtherAreas         Albrightlee Farm Battlefield .;Ash Hollow Farm Weston & Wixill Highfield House Clive,; Priors Halton Farm Ludlow; .Tudor Lodge Shawbury

Indepedent Churches /Chapels Ministers at  Ebenezer,Siloh and Penarth Chapels at Llanfair.John Hughes’s Chapel at Pontrobert.     Zion Chapel, Oswestry. Coedway Chapel, Alberbury. Bethel Chapel,Aberdare .    Penmaen Chapel at Blackwood.      Ruyton X1 Towns Chapel.,      Threapwood,Malpas,     Weedon and Flore Chapels in Northants and Ross on Wye.

Draper/Stores.,Assistants ,Managers,or Owners at.    Norbury House Aston; 290-292 Gypsy Lane,West Ham. .Bon Marche at Brixton;  Thomas Yeo. Plymouth; Wallace Hughes in Brixton; Thomas Fearn, Kilburn High St.; Bobby’s of Eastbourne; Griffin and Spalding at Nottingham.   M.Evans,Montreal      Bunners, Ironmongers of Montgomery.R.Ellis, Boat Builder Shrewsbury. Thomas Hughes Mirror Manufacturer,Euston.

Overseas.             Australia.- Charters Towers Gold Fields,: Noyea and Windaroo Sugar Plantations at Mt Warren.,:Dubbo News papers,:.Sydney- League of Health and Beauty.            Africa. Mashonaland Expedition,Fort Victoria, Boer War -Relief of Kimberley.,Driefountain etc Salous Scouts Rhodesia, Irving and Bonnar, Lagos, Nigeria   Canada. Molson’s Brewery,Montreal. Various Drapers Shops Montreal..             India. Madras Civil Service.Royal Asiatic Society,Royal.Engineers,Siaklot, Punjab         U.S.A Georgetown Silver Mines,Colorado.    East Tennessee Welsh Migration.Lake Forest, Lake County,Illinois. Ohio Preaching Tour     World War 1, Egypt,Gaza,Palestine, Ypres Arras and Flanders.

Although there are many famous Davies names in Montgomeryshire History-statesmen,industrialists,clerics,teachers and poets ,who may or may not be related to our Davies’s of Upper Brithdir Farm,just two miles N.E. of Berriew,we are starting our research in the Brithdir area.

The town of Berriew from the River Rhiw c.1830.

William and Mary Davies’s eldest son William is recorded as being born at Keelcouchwen.This is probably on a farm in this adjacent hamlet - see Stingwern Farm below. More research required.The remaining children are born at Upper Brithdir . Evan and Ann Davies are at a farm at Brithdir , called Penygarreg (next to Penybank) in the 1841 Census onward.

Off the main road from Berriew to Welshpool next to theThree Horseshoes Inn lies the narrow road up to Brithdir. First over the Canal Bridge then past Lower Brithdir Farm on the left,next Brithdir Hall on the right and then on up to Upper Brithdir Farm.

Lower Brithdir Farm:here farmed the Langford Family for several generations.Obviously close friends of the Davies family at Upper Brithdir as they are recorded as visitors on each others farms in some censuses. Of interest at the back of the farm is a signpost pointing to an old flannel mill. This would be the mill referred to in the Baptisms records above.and owned by Edward and Elizabeth Davies ,flannel manufacturers .Whether these Davies’s are relatives to the Davies farmers of Brithdir or to the Spinners and Labourers is not known.

The 1841 Census shows that Brithdir was a much more thriving community than it is today.with a Factory, a Mill, a Smiths Shop,Lock Keeper, Waterman and many cottages plus the Brithdir Hall and Brithdir Farms. Clearly the Mill and Factory were sited here on the Luggy stream making the famous Welsh flannel from the local wool and which would be sent all over England via the Montgomery Canal a few hundred yards away.

The ancestors of William Davies of Upper Brithdir Farm need further investigation- see below.All we know is that a Thomas Davies is witness at his wedding-this could be his brother or father? and that.his eldest son William is born at Keelrouchwen another hamlet in Berriew

William Davies of Upper Brithdir and Thomas Davies of Stingwern are the same age and possibly brothers,In fact William and Mary Davies’s eldest son,William,is recorded as being born in the township of Keelcouchwen,where Stingwern farm lies.So this was possibly the ancestral home of our Davies Family. More research required into the Berriew Parish Records to find ,who were the parents of William and Thomas Davies.

Also in the St Beuno Churchyard is a Headstone to Edward son of Evan and Mary Humphreys of Upper Brithdir died Nov 21st 1826,aged 23.This could mean that William and Mary Davies did not move to Upper Brithdir until after this date,This fits in with their first son William being baptised at Keelcochwyn in 1826,where they were probably farming before this date.The 1840 Tithe Maps show Mary Humphreys living next door at Boedhilin House,Upper Brithdir.She is described as a widow and landed proprietor.

The only other possibly relevant information we have are the marriage bonds below

ST ASAPH MARRIAGE BONDS 1751-1850                                  DAVIES, William, bach., yeoman, Berriew, MGY. 1760, Jan 23. At B. Elizabeth Rogers. A,B. 

DAVIES, William, Berriew, MGY. 1824, May 1. At Llanfair[Caereinion]. Mary Hughes. A.      (This is our William & Mary Davies of Upper Brithdir).

The 1841 Census lists a William Bebb age 50 farming with his wife Lidia at Bronheilin.So why they pay Mary Davies for a mortgage on the farm is not clear.Possibly William and Mary Davies once farmed here.

Berriew in St Beuno Churchyard - slate headstone worn and buried-”In memory of Lydia ,wife of William Bebb of Bron ll? of Keelcochwyn who died Jan 10th 1850 aged 62 years, also of the above William Bebb who died Jan 25th 1851 aged 70.Prepare to meet thy God.”

The 1851 Census for Berriew,Keelcochwyn Township lists a William Bebb age 25 ,a wheelwright living at Bronheilyn a smallholding of 12 acres.Note Edward Davies, farming next door at Horley Hall,is born in Machynlleth,so he is probably not related to our William Davies of Upper Brithdir.

In May 2007 Mrs J Ann Davies,researcher at The National Library of Wales on my instructions undertook an investigation of Williiam Davies’s origins.Below is the evidence as it was unearthed.

Marriage Bond.
DAVIES, William, bach., yeoman, Berriew, MGY. 1760, Jan 23. At B. Elizabeth Rogers. A,B. 44/23.

11074-5 GLANSEVERN ESTATE RECORDS
1761, Feb. 4-5
1. Evan Davies of Keel, parish of Berriew, co. Montgomery, shoemaker, and Susan, his wife;
2. William Davies of Kefn yr Alt in the aforesaid parish, eldest son and heir of the said Evan Davies and Susan his wife, and Elizabeth the wife of the said William Davies;
3. John Rogers of Keel aforesaid, yeoman, father of the said Elizabeth Davies;
4. Richard Edmunds of Pool, maltster, and Thomas Pryce of Nantcay, parish of Llanfaire-Caerinion, gent.
LEASE AND RELEASE being a settlement after the marriage of the said William Davies and Elizabeth, his wife,(see Marriage Bond above) of a messuage and lands called Ty John Howell yn pentrey yr Keel parish of Berriew aforesaid except one parcel of land called Kay yn y Keel otherwise Maes y Goe.

1790, Nov. 16.
1.Thomas Williams of Keele, parish of Berriew, co. Montgomery, yeoman, tenant in possession of the messuage and lands hereinafter mentioned;
2.William Davies of the parish of Myfod, innholder, and William Davies the younger of Stalow (Staloe Farm on the road from Montgomery to Forden), his eldest son and heir by Elizabeth his wife;
3.The Rev. Edward Price of Berriew, clerk.
ATTORNMENT of tenancy of a messuage called Ty John Howell yn Pentre yr Keele, parish of Berriew.
9314. 1801, April 10.
1. William Davies of Mellynrhydd (near Railway between Llanfair and Manafon), co. Montgomery, yeoman, and William Davies, his eldest son;
2. Arthur Davies Owen of Pennant, esq.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT for the sale of a messuage and lands in Keel., parish of Berriew.
9315 6. 1801, April 23 24.
1.William Davies late of the parish of Myfod, co. Montgomery, and now of Melingrhydd, yeoman, and Elizabeth, his wife;
2.William Davies the younger, eldest son of the said William Davies and Elizabeth., his wife;
3.Arthur Davies Owen of pennant, esq.
LEASE AND RELEASE of a messuage and lands called Ty John Powell yn Pentre yr Keel parish of Berriew.

A St Asaph Diocese Marriage Bond and the above extracts from the Glansevern Estate Records seemed to name the immediate ancestors of our William Davies of Upper Brithdir Farm. Although we have his year of birth - 1796 ,by reading details on his tomb ,no record of the birth of a William Davies to a William Davies of Berriew could be found in the Parish Records.,athough his marriage bond states he is from Berriew Parish..Nor could a birth be found in the surrounding parishes of Forden,Montgomery,Tregynon,Manafon,Castle Caereinion,Meifod,Bettwys Cedewain,Llanwyddelan,Llanlugan,,Llansaintffraid,Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl. This was most disappointing as Mary Davies the widow of our William Davies refers to real estate and trust funds in her will of 1877- see next page.It is still possible that a baptism may be found in another Parish or in Chapel Records,although most of these only start circa 1820.

In all the Parish Records listed above the only William Davies birth in between 1795 and 1797,was to a John and Mary Davies of Rhiwhirieth,Llanfair Caereinion.See details below

Llanfair Caereinion Parish Record.   1779 b.David son of John and Mary Davies of Gwynnynog                        1782 b.Thomas               “                                                       1783 b.Elizabeth              “                                                                                                          No marriage recorded at Llanfair for this John and Mary Davies of Gwynnynog. So Mary is from another Parish,where they marry.                Now do John and Mary Davies move farms from Gwaenynog to Rhiwhirieth?or are the children below born to -Marriage by Banns at Llanfair Caereinion June 1782 John Davies bachelor of Llangadfan to Mary Williams spinster of this Parish.both sign by X. Witnesses ,who both sign, are David Baines/Barnes,Thomas Davies                                                       

1784 b.John son of John and Mary Davies of Rhiwhirieth.                               1784 died John son of John Davies of Rhiwhirieth.                                     1787 b.John                   “                                                      1788 b.Anne                   “                                                     1789 b.William                 “                                                     1789 died William son of John Davies of Rhiwhirieth                                   1792 b.Sarah                   “                                                    1796 b.William                  “                                                    1796 died John son of John Davies of Rhiwhirieth.                                     1805 Feb 8th.By Marriage Bond Anne Davies,minor wed William Jones-Both of Llanfair Parish.                                                                              1809 Dec 22nd.By Marriage Bond Sarah Davies wed Nicholas Davies ,servant in husbandry ,both of Llanfair Parish. (Nicholas Davies born 1783 to Thomas and Mary Davies farmer at Llanerfyl).(1805.Marriage by Banns at Llangadfan of David Davies of Llanerfyl age 23 son of Thomas and Mary Davies wed to Jane Jones of Llangadfan age 28 daughter of John Evans freeholder and Jane.Witnesses Nicholas Davies of Ty gwyn and Evan Jacob Davies).                                                            

1814 Died Mary Davies of Rhiwhirieth  age 32.(not sure if this is their daughter or whether the family or just William have moved to Berriew,by this date).                   1825 died Mary Davies of Rhiwhirieth age 67      This would appear to be the Mary  wed to John Davies above and is Mary the daughter of Edward and Mary Williams of Rhiwhirieth ,born Nov 27th 1756 at Llanfair..So it is likely that John Davies moves from Llangadfan to farm at his wife’s parents farm at Rhiwhirieth.John Davies’s second son William may be named after the Williams Family.                                                                      1831 died John Davies at Llanlloddian Ucha aged 84 (born c.1749).                      1832 died John Davies at Llanfair. aged 73 (born c.1759)                                These listed Davies deaths at Llanfair are the only two old enough to be our William Davies’s father. Of course after his wife’s death he could have moved with one of his children and be buried elsewhere.                                      

This O.S.Map shows Rhiwhireth Hamlet underlined in red is near other Hughes, Davies,and Jones farms at Llanloddian,Gwynyndy,Dolgead and Gwaenynog. Rhiwhirieth is also on the road leading into Llanfair,where the  Ebenezer Independent Chapel lies.Here the Hughes family worships and their children are baptised.Here also were three of William and Mary Davies’s children baptised,which may be significant,

This Rhiwhirieth family is possibly the family of William Davies of Upper Brithdir,Berriew. However he names his children in order Jane,William,David,Mary,John,Martha Ann, Catherine,Elizabeth and Harriet. Now it was the custom in Wales, at this time,to name the eldest boy after his grandfather and the second boy after his father.However in this case the eldest son William seems to be named after his father William Davies of Upper Brithdir.So perhaps David or John is named after his grandfather.Furthermore the eldest daughter was traditionally named after her maternal grandmother(Jane Hughes in this case and the second eldest Mary is named after the paternal grandmother.So we should be looking for a David Jones or John Davies or William Davies wed to a Mary or Jane as the parents of William Davies of Upper Brithdir.

 THE ORIGINS OF JOHN DAVIES OF LLANGADFAN.

John Davies’s Family originate from the same area as our Hughes Family - on the hills just North of the little town of Llangadfan,Again this is a Welsh speaking area,where the English use of a Christian Name and Family Surname was not adopted by many Welsh Families until well into the 19th Century .So here we are looking at many individuals named with three even four Christian Names bearing their own and their fathers,grandfathers even great grandfathers names.

From the Llanfair Parish Records above we are now looking for a John Davies born in Llangadfan c1749 or c1759.There were three possible births in the Llangadfan Parish Records.                                           1748John son of David John David and Eleanor Howell of Cyffin                                               1749 John son of David William David Robert and Catherine Evans of Pant Rhedynog,Moel y Feliarth                1759 John son of John David Jones and Jane of Moppart,Moel y Feliarth.    Full Details Below---

NOT SURE IF ANY OF THESE THREE JOHN DAVIES’S MOVED TO LLANFAIR AND IS THE FATHER OF WILLIAM DAVIES OF UPPER BRITHDIR. WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT IS THAT THEY ARE ALL FARMERS BORN VERY CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL HUGHES FARMS AT LLUEST,BLOWTY AND CYFFIN. Of the three possible ancestors ,John Davies of Pant Rheynog has an Evan Davies of Tanglws witness his wedding to Catherine Hughes -and Evan Davies is almost certainly his elder brother.So this John Davies probably becomes a Cooper in Garthbeibo. John Davies of Cyffin has a mother and sister called Eleanor yet William Davies of Upper Brithdir does not use this name for any of his children or grandchildren. John Davies son of David Jones farmer of Moelyfeliarth son of David John David of Moelyfeliarth probably wed Jane ? and farmed at Moelyfeliarth,where they had two children,including John.b 1759,who could be our John Davies of Rhiweriath,buried at Llanfair in 1832,aged 73.

VAYNOR ESTATE PAPERS

1786, May 2
1John Moxon
2Richard Davies of Dyffrin, p. Berriew, co. Mont., yeoman
LEASE for 14 years of a m. called Dyffrin, t. and p. Berriew
367
1786, May 2
1John Moxon
2David Davies of t. Vaynor Ucha, p. Berriew, co. Mont., yeoman
LEASE for 14 years of a m. called Pen-y-Park, t. Vaynor Ucha, p. Berriew
364
1786 July 12
1John Moxon
2John Davies of Dolas, p. Berriew, co. Mont., yeoman
LEASE for 14 years of Dolas aforesaid
365
1786, July 12
1John Moxon
2Edward Davies of Dinnant Ucha, p. Berriew, co. Mont., yeoman
LEASE for 14 years of a m. called Dinnant Ucha, t. Keelcochwyn, p. Berriew

1793, June 19
1John Moxon of Woodford, Essex, esq., nephew and devisee named in the will of Robert Moxon late of Grays Inn, Middlesex, esq., dec.
2Arthur Davies Owen of Berriew, co. Mont., gent.
LEASE for 21 years of a new erected dwellinghouse near t. Berriew, the close of land whereon the same is built and the close of land adjoining thereto which closes are now undivided and let open to part of the land lately outclosed from a field called Close y Vicar three closes of land lately outclosed from the said Close y Vicar, a parcel of land situate on the Groe otherwise the Grove, which was heretofore divided into two parcels, a m. called Efelfach, and a m. called The Upper Taking and a m. late in the occupation of Maurice Davies, all of which premises and lands lie in t’s Berriew and Vaynor Issa, p. Berriew, and a parcel of pasture and woodland called Sawdwen, and two quillets of land lying in the farms of Tynycoed and Caecoch both in t. Llivior, p. Berriew

The Vaynor Estate Papers refer to farm leases to five yeoman Davies’s of Berriew,who also could be parents or grandparents of our William Davies of Upper Brithdir.Of interest is the length of a farm lease - all of 14 years,perhaps this explains why many tenant farmers moved so regularly.This is not sensible agricultural husbandry,as the land could be drained of its fertility by over production and poor management in these 14 years,and the farmer then moves !

O.S Map of Berriew Parish showing Townships of Allt,Cil(Keel).Ffrydd,Kilcochwyn.Llifior,Vaenor Uchaf and Vaenor Isaf underlined in red,the Vaynor Park and Glansevern Estates in red squares and Davies Family Farms underlined in green.

GLANSEVERN ESTATE PAPERS

10182.
1805, March 25-26.
1. David Davies late of Brithdir and now of Prescunny, parish of Berriew,
co. Montgomery, yeoman, (a son and also a devisee named in the will of David Davies formerly of Sylvan, parish of Castle Caereinion, yeoman,
deceased);
2. David Davies the younger now or late of Efelfach, parish of Berriew,
saddler (the eldest son of the said David Davies party hereto);
3. Iuan Davies of Pool, widow and administratrix of John Davies late of Brithdir, parish of Berriew, yeoman, deceased, Edward Jones and Mary, his wife, late Mary Davies, spinster, and John Parry and Ann, his wife, late Ann Davies spinster;
4. William Owen of Lincoln's Inn, co. Middlesex, esq.;
5. Arthur Davies Owen of Berriew, esq.
LEASE AND RELEASE of property specified in No. 10181 of 13 Sept., 1804 - the farms of Tynycoed, and Caecoch in the township of Llivior. with a covenant to pay a legacy of £60 due to Elizabeth Davies under the will of her father David Davies, deceased.

9259.
1836, June 15-16.
1. John Hamer and John Hamer, both of Kerry, co. Montgomery, yeomen; 2. Watkin Lewis of the Bryn, parish of Berriew, farmer;
3. Thomas Withers of Berriew, gent.; William Davies of Rhyd Whiman, esq. LEASE AND RELEASE, being an assignment of mortgage for £250, of a messuage and lands called Groestyn in the township of Freedd and parcels of land called Maes Davids in the township of Keel, all in the parish of Berriew aforesaid.

To further confuse William Davies of Upper Brithdir’s origins a David and John Davies of Brithdir are referred to in the Glansevern Estate Papers concerning a messuage and lands called Tynycoed and the newly erected messuage divided into two dwellings lying on part of the aforesaid lands in the township of Brithdir, parish of Berriew aforesaid.            Tynycoed and Efelfach properties are also referred to in the Vaynor Estate Papers as is a Maurice Davies.Finally we have a link between a William Davies Esq of Rhyd Whiman and Watkin Lewis of Bryn,who wed a Mary Davies and ,whose son David Lewis was a Trustee in our great grandmother Mary Davies’s will.See below.

MARRIAGE BONDS.                                                                                

LEWIS, Watkin, bach., farmer, Berriew, MGY. 1808, Dec 7. At B. Elizabeth Browne. A,B. 154/106              

LEWIS, Watkin, wid., farmer, Berriew, MGY. 1820, Apr 27. At B. Mary Davies. A,B. 167/115.

Note that David Lewis,who is a Trustee in the 1876 Will of our great grandmother,Mary Davies’s Will is the son of Watkin Lewis of Bryn and a Mary Davies(see Marriage Bond above) and is aged 8 in the 1841 Census. Mary Davies the second wife of Watkin Lewis may be the sister of our great grandfather William Davies of Upper Brithdir.William Evans the Elder of Wernllwyd the other Trustee is married to William and Mary Davies’s niece, Sarah Evans(nee Hughes).

9372 GLANSEVERN ESTATE PAPERS>
1877, Sept. 29.
1. William Evans of Wernllwyd, parish of Welshpool, and David Lewis of Bryn, parish of Berriew, both of co. Montgomery, farmers;
2. Arthur Charles Humphreys Owen of Glansevern, parish of Berriew,
barrister at law.
CONVEYANCE of Yew Tree Farm, parish of Berriew. Map annexed.

A copy of this Conveyancy Document has been obtained.It does confirm that Mary Davies widow now deceased is the owner of the Yew Tree Farm property ,now being sold in 1877 by her two trustees.

The 1841 Census for Llivior Township,Berriew Parish lists an Edward Jones as tenant at Yew Tree Farm,but next door at Wainheling is William Davies farmer aged 70 and wife Ann Davies.Are these the parents of our William Davies of Upper Brithdir.Note that another son David Davies aged 25 , with wife Mary are still living at Wainheling. Unfortunately the 1840 Tithe Map Schedules list a Henry Meredith as the owner of Yew Tree Farm.So how Mary Davies became the owner is a mystery.Of interest is that in 1841,Henry Meredith was resident at Brithdir(Lower) Farm.Did he sell Yew Tree Farm to his next door neighbours William and Mary Davies at Upper Brithdir Farm,or are they related in some way ?   - More research required.