Rosser family of Penpicillion

Llansteffan, Camarthenshire

Llansteffan (Llanstephan) Carms.

Rosser (Rosfer) family line  

                      On the west wall of Penpicillion is a marker stone record it’s building in 1707 by Est. Rosfer.

                                    Est Rosfer born ? it is not clear but I believe that William died 1791

 Some of the information below was found at the National Library of Wales in the George Eyre Evans collection donated

Dr Geraint Dyfnallt Owen.

There is much more research to be done on the Rosser’s of Penpicillion and hopefully in time will be added into these pages.

Since the early days of my research in the 1970’s the internet’s arrived with google, and what a wonderfull invention with so much more information coming forward and so much sharing.

The story begins in the hills above the small seaside village of Llanstephan on the Towy Estuary in Carmarthenshire, South West Wales in the Spring of 1790.

Penpicillion Farm is the home of the Rosser family, all the family are at home and sitting around the fireside, William Rosser and his Wife Esther (daughter of John Edward of Llangynog) have enjoyed a supper in the company of their four daughters, Esther, Anne, Jennet and Mary and son John.

William is the master Penpicillion his grandfather built the current farmhouse in 1707. But Penpcillion has been in unbroken family possession since the reign of Queen Mary (1558), it changed from the family name of Jones to Rosser by the marriage of John Jones only child a daughter .  John Jones of Pistyll, is recorded as a Yeoman, Army General an excellent shot, Royalist and faithful Jacobite.  The Rosser family also lived at Trehyddion a few miles away, they have long connections with farming and the sea and in their descent have noble French blood, William is recorded as a Farmer and Gentleman, Mariner and Coal Merchant and he is now the proud master of Penpicillion.  William’s daughter Jennet is in love with a gentleman by the name of Rees Jones, it is Jennet’s dearest wish that Rees will be allowed to become her sweetheart.  Jennet tells her family about Rees’s family, his Fathers relatives are gentlemen.

John Jones, Rees’s father feels he should visit the Rosser family to discuss the future of the young sweethearts, the proposal is put forward to William Rosser who feels that he should discuss and seek advice on the matter with his friend Colonel Ravenscroft of Laugharne, and a letter is drafted.  (see copy of letter below)

Show this to Col. Ravenscroft 17th March, 1790.     

letter sent by William Rofser (Rosser) of ‘Penpcillion Farm’ Nr. Llanstephan, , Carmarthenshire, Wales to Colonel  Ravenscroft

The account I have now this Rees Jones came here with my daughter Jennet the first Saturday night, and came into the house by the fire with me. I told him plain, that we cannot give her more than £100. and that was all we can do, for we have three daughters besides her and that I am desire of him to begin civil and if they depart to depart civil and not to injure one another and he answered ‘ we shall not ‘, and in about four or six weeks afterhis Uncle, that is his Fathers brother called Evan Jones, came to our home and began to talk and told his business, that he came for his nephew to ask for him leave to come to court our daughter and told his Father and Mother have two tenements of land of their own and a s good a tenement on their estate and on such bragins he was going on all the evening and I told him the same as I told Rees his nephew in this words I told Rees he may, and begin civil and if they part to depart as civil as they came on to another at first and to tell you that £100 I can give to her for we have three daughters more to take care of them as wool as shoes; and he said, that he would talk about that now and I told him that I do let them know by times so much then.

Then on that day when you Sir and Mr. Hugh Evans been to walk between the two Lordships that was the day the young man desired me to come up to see their estate, that his Uncle Evan would come down to pilot me and my son up to his Fathers house to try to settle and be married. Then I asked Jenny was she willing to do that, she answered ‘ me is ‘. There we went to dinner and very soon and after dinner we went to look over the tenement called ‘Maesybidie’ of their own or Fathers land and a tenement joined Maesybidie held by lease of Mr. Morgan Lewis called ‘Bedw Bach’ for £11 a year, they said it is worth more it was very large for the money and very bad and poor, but of good convenience to their farm (and there was a good meadow about two acres and a half by the side of the River Cothi were is plenty of trout’s, they took in a hallowed up of a pool 36 dozen trout’s at once), and the next morning after breakfast we went to Mothers estate to see the good ground over a great mountain to the tenement called ‘Lettyllwynwhith’ they showed to me where it reach, I though it was about 3 or 11 miles in length, but, they said it was about 2miles from River Cothi it runs from South and by East to North and by West and could not agree then, for they was for £200 for her, but, then I offer them £100, they could not agree, but, they promise to come down a fortnight hence and to have the Marriage Settlement to be read and so they did, and David Davies got the deed and bring it to our house and read it over so fast I could not make much sense of it, but I promise then a £115 with her and I must have Mr. Davies to come with the deeds I said to Col. Ravenscroft to be read and if it was not to have it in the same manner as they have it I am willing; also, I was not but we went to Llanstephan, Mr. William Moars to read it and he told Davies and me that no lawyer can make a good now settlement until the life of his Father and Mother expired and he desired to know who will be the heir at their deceased, then the finer nor recovery breaks his settlement it is a stanch one and the answer I gave them that I give some money upon the account of the procent deed and about this I suppose he put her up.

And about 9 O’Clock at night Rees Jones came here Friday on the 19th March, 1790 and said that his Father and Mother was to give and settle the fourth part of Lettyllwynwhith that is Mothers land if I William Rofser was to my daughter Jennet of my deceased the sum of eighty pounds which January 10th.

                   The original letter is part of the George Eyre Evans collection of manuscripts kept at the National Library of Wales,

                                                                                Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales.

Arrangements go forward and John Jones travels to Penpicillion with his brother Evan, they meet the Rosser family and discuss the young couples future, there is difficulty in agreeing the dowry, John wants more than William wishes to offer, however agreement is reached that the couple can start their courtship.

Rees and Jennet would have wished for greater progress but courtship is the best they are offered and it will be nearly two years hence before their marriage takes place.

Six weeks after the first visit Rees’s Uncle Evan returns to Pencpicillion to discuss matters further with William, he tells William of his brother and sister-in-laws wealth, but William tells him that £100 dowry was the most he could offer, Jennet was not his only daughter he has three more daughters to provide for, Evan asks William to visit his brothers and arrangements are made.

Evan arrives at Penpicillion to pilot William Rosser and his son John to their visit of  Rees Jones and his family, the journey takes the two gentleman and Jennets brother John through the bustling market town of Carmarthen out onto the Llandielo road and on onto Nantgaredig were they leave the main road and start their journey along the beautiful Brechfa Valley to Abergorlech, they arrive at Maesybidiau in time for dinner, it has been a long day.

After eating dinner William and his son John are shown the lands of Maesybidiau, Bedw Bach, the lands border the River Cothi, and have a hallowed pool which took in 26 dozen trout at once.  Night fall came at it was time to site around the fire and enjoy each others the company before bed.

Maesybidiau was a different style farm to Penpicillion, it was a Welsh Long House with a thatched roof, Penpcillion was a modern farm less than a hundred years old making it a hundred years younger.

The guests were given the best bedroom which had been used by a Welsh Prince and it was said that his ghost sometimes still visited.  The Jones’s had a long and proud ancestry they descended from Urien a Knight of the Round Table and the Lord Rhys-Rhys ap Gruffydd - Prince of South Wales.  The Lord Rhys was one of the most successful Welsh Princes, and after the death of Owain Gwynedd the dominant power in Wales.  In 1158 The Lord Rhys captured Llandovery Castle and when retaken by the Normans Henry II stripped Rhys of most of his possessions.  In 1165 Rhys made an alliance with Owain Gwynedd and thwarted another invasion of Wales by Henry II.  He was able to win back most of his lands including Llandovery.  1171 Rhys made peace with Henry.  Following the death of The Lord Rhys fueds developed between his four sons over his lands.  Llandovery Castle changed hands five times in four years.  In 1211 Rhys Gryg captured Llandovery with the help of the Royal troops of King John of England. Their home represented their standing and had been used as a secret religious meeting house during the reformation.

In the morning William and his son John were taken to see Rees’s Mother estate ‘Lettyllwynwhith’ after all this showing off of his wealth John Jones felt that William should increase the dowry to £200.  William could not agree, he again offered £100. and it was agreed to leave matters be for two weeks.

Two weeks later the Jones’s visited Penpcillion, with a marriage settlement on offer, they brought a David Davies with them who read it out to all.  William Rosser later went with David Davies to show the settlement to Mr. William Moars in Llanstephan.  On the 19th March, 1790 Rees Jones went to Penpicillion and told William Rosser that his Father and Mother was to give and settle the fourth part of Lettyllwynwhith on himself and Jennet, that is his mothers land if William Rosser agreed to bequeath his daughter Jennet the sum of £80. upon his death – the agreement for marriage was finally made.

On the 3rd February, 1792 Rees Jones of Maesybidiau and Jennet Rosser of Penpicillion were married at the Parish Church, Llanstephan, twenty-seven years to the day of the marriage of William and Esther (nee Edwards daughter of John Edward (died 1752)of Llangynog) Jennet’s parents.  The marriage was witnessed by Jennets sister Mary and Rees’s Uncle John Francis of Penygraig, Abergwili.  It was a day of mixed emotions for Esther Rosser it was her wedding anniversary but William (Rosser) had died in 1791.

The following text is taken from the archives at the National Library of Wales " The Rosser family lived at Trehyddion, and later Penpicillion, in Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire. The family was resident in the parish of Llansteffan by the early 17th century. By 1763 William Rosser (died 1791) was residing at Trehyddion; he was married to Esther (died 1827), the daughter of John Edward of Llangynog, Carmarthenshire. As well as being a farmer and gentleman, William also appears to have worked as a mariner and coal merchant. They had five children, Hester (born c. 1778), Ann, John, Mary (1781-1851) and Jennet. In the early 19th century, the family moved from Trehyddion to Penpicillion. "    (Trehyddion like Penpicillon is still standing 2020 both are in the same area)

Penpicillion sits in the hills above Llanstephan between Llanybri and Llangain, it was restored in the 1990's to its former glory my photo's below are back in 70's before restoration but after un-sympathetic work probably in the 1940's 50's period.

Many of the descends of Rees and Jennet (Rosser) Jones were to become travelers of the Atlantic, and over a period of some three hundred years someone from each generation have left for the New World ‘America’ the first being some six generations ago when three of the children of Rees and Jennet Jones braved the Atlantic Ocean and made the then long journey to the promised land, the descendants of their son Evan are still in contact with their Welsh relatives.

Henry Rosser - married - Matilda

                                                                     e. 1600

         William Rosfer – married – Esther Edwards

                                                                                    died 1791                                         died 03.11.1827

      3rd February, 1765 Llanstephan Church

   Children of William & Esther

               Esther                                                **Anne                                                             Jennet                     Mary (Spinster)

              married                                                 married                                                          married                      Heiress of

            John Jones                                             John Lewis                                                     Rees Jones                  Penpicillon

                   l                                                             l                                                            Maesybidia

.............................................................          ...................................................................   Recorded lower down page      

*William  Mary  George  John  Esther  David         Anne Mary  William  Thomas John  Benjamin         

Mary recorded is Mary Rossers will as Mary Evans                    Mary recorded in Mary Rossers will as having a daughter        

                                                                          Margaret Evans        

   (I have often wondered did two sisters marry two brothers ? )              

Please see attached original written copy from my research                                                                                                                                                                   

*William the son of Esther & John Jones is recorded on the census records as follows :

1851 William living at Penpicillion and being born in 1813 it also records Mary Lewis born 1829 as his daughter, however I believe this to be his cousin the daughter of Anne & John Lewis who inherited like himself in Mary Rosser's will. There are also two visitors Mary Evans born 1815 and John Jones born 1813 these might well be cousins and also a servant recorded by the name of Ester Harry.

1861 William is now married to Rachel born 1833 and they have a daughter Mary born 1861 and a servant Dinah Evans.

1871 William now as three children Mary born 1861, John born 1864 and William born 1867.

1881 The family remains the same as 1871.1891 Only William and his daughter Mary are recorded and a general servant by the name of Emily Jones.

1901 William is now 88 years of age and residing and farming Penpicillion with his Daughter Mary now recorded as Mary Elias and his granddaughter born 1897 Rachel M Elias.

**Anne (Rosser) Lewis the 1851 census records a entry for Anne Lewis (Jennets’s siter) records her birth as being 1784 and married to John Lewis (born 1786 – Llanfighangel Abercowin) they are living at Cwm Lodge, Llanstephan and presently with them are their son Benjamin born 1822, grand-daughter Esther Jones born 1840 and Margaret Lewis a visitor. John Lewis is recorded as an Agricultural Labourer and Steward.

There are other census records but these need to be verified, one I think might be for the above Benjamin Lewis but it shows his date of birth as 1824 (Llanstephan not 1822 as above) he is married to Elizabeth (1814) they have a son John born 1859 – Llanelli and he resides at 162 Swansea Road, Llanelli and works as a shoemaker employing one man.

In 1980 Owen J. Olsen (Great -Great-Great Grandson of Jennet (Rosser) Jones and Grandson of Ricy D Jones, Jennet's Grandson) complied from Ricy Howell Jones (Box Elder County Attorney) Journal ( son of Ricy D. Jones ) who visited Wales following his mission 1886 (Ricy his Father emigrated to America with the Saints (Mormons) in 1849 and his son returned as a missionary in 1886) and from records supplied by myself (Judith Morgan) and Henry (Harry) Elmer Jones of Ocala, Flordia ( descendant of Jennet & Rees son Evan)

                                       The Children of Jennet and Rees Jones                                     

                                  Jennet & Rees married at Llanstephan Parish Church 03.02.1792

                                       Witnessed by John Francis (Rees Jones Brother-in-Law) & Mary Rosser (Jennet's sister)

    Sarah         Evan                ** John               Mary           William              David     Hetty       Thomas        Ricy (Rees)      

1790-1840    1793-1850           1794-1865          1796-1811      1798-1835          1800       1803         1805-1806    1807-1845

                      Emigrated to America   Inherited Maesybidia      Spinster        Emigrated America       Bachelor    Spinster                                Emigrated America    

                                In all four children emigrated to America Evan, William, Ricy & Thomas

Sarah born 1790 died 1840 married William Thomas Graig born 1772 they had four children John, Evan, Jane & Sarah – I would suspect that this surname should be Craig

Evan born 1793 died 1850 farmed Near Llandeilo died New York of Apoplexy buried Poughkeepsie, New York, married Ann born 1800 died 1884 born Wakefield Yorkshire, £200 dowry - We are still contact with this line and will expanded the information further on

** John born 1794 died 1865 married Hettie Davies of Lystin Farm, Brechfa born 1791 died 1872 – this is my line Maesybidia,Abergorlech

Mary born 1796 died 1811 spinster

David born 1800 bachelor

Hetty born 1803 spinster

Ricy (Rees) born 1807 died 1845 was a Justice Clerk married a milliner from London and had two children, Thomas Jefferson Jones born 1829 in London died New Jersey, America and is buried at Stanley Sta, Chatham Twp NJ. Evan Jones born 1832 London died 1854 New York City, buried Poughkeepsie died of yellow fever.

I record Eight children, Owen Olsen records Ten, Owen states on his record  ‘ Verified from Christ Church records by HEJ ‘    we must agree to differ !

Jennet Rosser and Rees Jones had began a new life at Maesybidau (Abergorlech) . Jennets sister Esther was to marry Rees who was possibly a brother to John and live at Llwyncelyn, having six children, William, Mary, George, John, Esther and David. Her sister Anne married John Lewis and had four children, John, Thomas, Benjamin and Mary.

Many of the descends of Rees and Jennet Jones were to become travelers of the Atlantic, and over a period of some three hundred years someone from each generation have left for the New World ‘America’ they first left six generation ago when three of the children of Rees and Jennet Jones made the then long journey to the promised land, the descendants of their son Evan are still in contact with their Welsh relatives.

Jennet told her six children that their family had been great travelers and had connections with France, and travel many of them did too.

Jennet's sister Mary farmed Penpcillion after her parents days and died a spinster in 1851, leaving the farm to her nephew William Jones the son of her sister Esther and niece Mary Lewis daughter of her sister Anne. Only one of the children of Jennet & Rees are named as a beneficiary in the will of Esther their grandmother and Mary their Aunt and that is William who married his Fathers servant and emigrated to America maybe they felt he was in need and not the others. Jennet is a minor beneficiary in her Mothers will but was deceased before her sister Mary wrote her will.

A recent find is a letter that Jennet wrote to her sister Mary in July 1844

You will note that spellings have changed throughout, we today write Rosser in the will’s and on the wall stone it was spelt ‘Rosfer’. Llanstephan today is often spelt in truer Welsh ‘Llansteffan’ and Maesybidiau various in spelling of Maesybidie and Maesybidia.

Penpicillon Chest record in Gathering the Jewels - Carmarthenshire County Museum

This carved oak chest may have been made as a dower or wedding chest.  It is simply made, as its flat sides also form its legs. The sides and chest front are carved with flower, lunettes and scroll patterns. Carved on the front are the date '1686' and the initials 'EJ'. The carved initials may signify that this was made to mark a marriage. The chest once graced Penpicillion comes from Penpicillion, a small estate near Llansteffan. Carmarthenshire items of furniture of this date are rare. I made enquires and the chest was gifted to the museum in 1935 by a J. Jones, who also gifted a family bible.

Last will and testament of Esther Rosser : To view original transcript please click here

In the name of God Amen – I Esther Rofser of Penpicillion in the Parish of Llanstephan in the County of Carmarthen or widow, being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding Do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say.

I give and devise a certain field called Parkypant being part of an allotment of Common made to me from Cwmminsbach in respect of Penpcillion unto my daughter Esther the wife of John Jones her heirs and assigns for ever. I give and devise the allotment of Common being a field or parcel of land neat BaskeHay and Hill allotted to me in respect of the fields near Llanybree belonging to me, unto my Grandson William son of the said John and Esther Jones, his heirs and aforsigns for ever and I do declare that his receipt alone notwithstanding his mi------ shall be sufficient discharge for the rent thereof I give and devise to my daughter Anne Lewis wife of John Lewis her heirs and assigns a sufficient part of the lower end of Wain fach near Llanybree, not exceeding one half thereof, to build a house and make a Garden thereon she or they being at the expense of making a hedge to divide the same and afterwards keeping it in repair.

I give unto my said daughter Anne Lewis during her life an annuity of two pounds and unto my said daughter Esther the wife of John Jones during her life an annuity of two pounds, payable half yearly by equal portions at Lady day and Michaelmas day, the first payment to make on such of the days as shall first happen after my decease, such annuities to be forming from and chargeable on the Farm house and lands called Penpicillion aforesaid with the like power of dishef and sale from the recovery thereof respectively as landlords have to recover rent in arrears and I do declare that such annuities shall not be subject or liable to the debts or control of the respective husbands of my said daughters and that my said daughters receipts above notwithstanding their cover hire shall be a sufficient discharge for the same.

I give and bequeath to my son John Rofser the sum of One pound and to my daughter Jennet Jones the wife of Rees Jones the sum of three pounds to be paid them respectively in twelve months after my decease.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Anne Lewis the sum of five pounds to be paid her when she attains the age of eighteen years.

I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren William Mary George John Esther and David the children of my daughter Esther and to my grandson WilliamLewis son o my daughter Anne Lewis my grandson William Jones son of my daughter Jennet the sum of one pound a piece to be paid them respectively in twelve months after my decease, and I do declare that their receipts respectively shall notwithstanding their minority be a sufficient discharge to my Executors hereinafter named and as effectively as if all my said grandchildren shall have at that time had arrived at the age of twenty one years.

I give and devise all that my mefouage tenement Farm and lands called Penpicillion aforesaid the four fields at Llanybree called Parkyrheudyucha Parkyrhendyifsa Hatchy Hill and Waunfach the collage and garden in the occupancy of Hannah John adjoining Penpicillion and the allotments of Common not before given and all my other real estate whatsoever subject to annuities aforesaid unto my daughter Mary Rosfer spinster who lives with

me now and to her heirs and assigns for ever, but subject nevertheless and my will and recurring is that in case my said daughter Mary shall die singleor unmarried, or be married and have no child or grandchild living at the time of her death, she is not in that case to charge or mortgage, sell or give or dispose of the said real estate devised to her or any part thereof to any husband she may marry or to any stranger whatsoever it being my sill that shein the event of her dying without descent shall be at liberty and she is herby authorized and empowered by deed or will notwithstanding her cover hire and whether she be sole or convert to give settle and charge the said Estate unto or for the benefit of all or any of my children or their descends in such parts shares and manner as she my said daughter Mary shall think proper and in the event of her dying without issue and without making any dishonor of the said Estate, I devise the same to my own right heirs for ever Provided always nevertheless and my will and meaning is that she my said daughter Mary shall be a liberty and I do hereby authorize and empower her by a sale of a sufficient part of the said Estate so devised to her by me as aforesaid or by a mortgage in fee or by a mortgage for a term of five hundred years of the whole or of a sufficient part of the said Estate to raise and levy not exceeding in the whole the sum of one hundred pounds as soon as convenient after my decease and apply the same in aid for my personal estate in payment of my debts legacies funeral and testamentary expenses according to the discretion of my said daughter Mary and I do hereby declare and direct that my said daughter Mary Rosfer shall pay the mortgage money or sum of One hundred and twenty pounds and interest due to John Hughes Esquire and that such part of my said estate as is devised to here shall be alone chargeable herewith, so that the other part of my said estate herein before devised shall be exonerated and discharged there from and from all costs and charges in respect thereofI give and bequeath all my goods and personal estate whatsoever and the money to be raised as aforesaid unto my daughter Mary whom I appoint Sole Executor and residuary leg alee of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and testaments and declaring this to be my last In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day October, 1827

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Esther            )

Rofser as and for her last will and testament in the                   ) her

presence of us who at her request in her presence                   ) Esther X Rosfer

And in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed      ) Mark

our names as witness as we have likewise done to a duplicate     )

hereof ……….

David John Wainfwlchan

David Evans Cwmddwynant

Lewis Morris Solicitor Carmarthen

Esther died third day of  November, 1827

............................................................................................................................................

Copy of the Last Will and Testament of Mary Rosser (Jennet's sister)

To view original copy please click here

This is the last Will and testament of me Mary Rosfser of Penpicillion in the parish of Llanstephan in the County of Carmarthen spinster by virtue of the power given to me by the last will and testament of my Mother Esther Rofser deceased dated the twenty fourth day of October One thousand eight hundred and twenty seven I give and devise unto my Nephew William Jones who now resides with me all that messuage farm and lands with th appurtenances called Penpicillion aforesaid ad the slang of land part thereof in the farm of Tyrbach called Llanparsby ddwyfordd and also all that cottage and garden called Penrheol now in the occupation of Mary Robert widow situated in the parish of Llanstephan aforesaid to hold unto my said Nephew William Jones and his assigns during his life subject to the payment by the said William Jones within two years after my decease of the sum of Five Pounds to each of his brothers and sister, George, John, David, and Mary and prior and after his decease I give and devise all the said hereditaments to such of the lawful child or children of my said Nephew William Jones in such shares and proportions as he by deed or will mayappoint convey or devise and in default of such disposition I give and devise the same hereditaments to such of his children if more than one equally as tenants in common and to their respective heirs and assigns for ever and if but one such child then to such only child his or her heirs and assigns for ever and. in default of such issue to such of his brothers or sister as by deeds or will may appoint convey or devise and in default the said hereditasment to such of the lawful child or children of my nephew William Jones in such shares and proportions as he by Deed or Will may appoint convey or devise and in default of such disposition I give and devise the same hereditaments to such of his children if more than one equally as servantsin common and to their respective heirs and assigns for evpresent and any future husband and so as not to be subject to his debts or control and her receipts alone notwithstanding her covertures to be sufficient discharges for the rents and profits thereof and from and after her decease I give and devisethe same of such of her lawful child or children and in such shares and proportions as she by deed or will notwithstanding her covertures may appoint convey or devise and in default of such disposition I give and devise the same of such of her child or children as shall be living at her decease equally as tenants in common and to their respective heirs and assigns for ever and if but one child then to such only child his or herheirs and assigns for ever and in default of such issue I give and devise the same to all any or either of the her brothers the said George, John and David Jones in such manner and shares as she my said Niece Mary Lewis notwithstanding her cover tune share by Deed or Will appoint convey or devise and in default of such disposition the same shall by virtue of the said will of my said Mother Esther Rofser go and be to the right heirs of the said Esther Rofser for ever.I give and devise the other undivided moiety half part or share of and in the said hereditaments unto my said Nephews George, John and David Jones and their assigns for their respective lives in equal third parts and from and after their respective deceases I give and devise their respective shares in the same hereditamnets to their respective lawful children if more than one equally as tenants in common and to the heirs and assigns of such children respectively for ever, and if but one child of the said George, John and David Jones respectively I give and devise their respective shares to such only child his or her heirs and assigns for ever and if any or either of the said George, John and David Jones shall die without issue I give and devise the share or shares of him or them so dying unto the children of the survivors or survivor of them equally if more than one and servants in common and to their respective heirs and assigns for ever and in default of issue of either of them the said George, John and David Jones the same hereditaments shall by virtue of the said will f my said Mother Esther Rosfer go and be to the right heirs of the said Esther Rofser for ever. I give and bequeath unto my nieceHester Jones and her assigns during her life one annuity or yearly sum of Five Pounds clear of all deductions whatsoever to be charged upon and payable out of the said hereditaments called Penpcillion and Penrheol with power of dishes and all for the recovery thereof as Landlords have to recover rent in arrear and to be paid to the said Hester Jones by equal half yearly payments at Lady and Michaelmas day in every year the first payment thereof to be made on such of the said days as shall first happen after my decease and to be for her sole and separate use independently and exclusively of any husbandand so as not to be subject to his debts or control and her receipt alone notwithstanding covertune to be sufficient discharges for the same. I give and devise unto niece Mary Lewis all those two slanges or pieces of land with the appurtenances parcel of Penpicillion aforesaid now in the occupation of Thomas Hilland also all those for fields closes or pieces of lands with the appurtenances called Parkyrhiwdifricha, Parkyrhewyiffd, Hatchyhill and Waunfach situate near the village of Llanybree in the said parish of Llansetphan to hold to her and her assigns during her natural life and to be for her sole and separate use free from the control of any husband and so as not to be subject to his debts or control and her receipt alone notwithstanding covertures to be sufficient discharges for the same provided that she will allow her Mother Ann Lewis to live with her, but in case she will not do so or they cannot agree then my Will is hat my said Niece Mary Lewis shall hold and enjoyduring her life as aforesaid one undivided moiety half and devise the other undivided moiety half part or share of and in the same unto her Mother the said Ann Lewis and her assigns for her life with benefit of surviourship to her in case the said Mary Lewis shall die in the life time of her said Mother and without leaving lawful issue and from and after the decease of my said Niece Mary Lewis as she by deed or will notwithstanding covertures may appoint convey or devise and in default of such disposition I give and devise the same to such her children if more than one equally as servants in common and to their respective heirs and assigns for ever and if but one such child then to such only child his or her heirs and assigns for ever and in default of such issue I give and devise the same hereditaments unto her brother Thomas and BenjaminLewis equally and to their assigns for their respective natural lives and from and after their respective deceases I give and devise their respective shares in the same hereditaments their respective lawful children if more than one equally as tenants in common and to the heirs and assigns of such children respectively for ever and if there be but one such child of the said Thomas and Benjamin Lewis respectively I give and devise their respective shares to such only child his or her heirs and assigns for ever and in default of such last mentioned issue I give and devise the same hereditaments to her Brothers William and John Lewis equally and to their assigns during their respective natural lives and from and after their respective deceases I give and devise their respective shares in the share hereditaments to their respective lawful children if more than one equally as tenants in common and to the heirs and assigns of such children respectively for ever and if these be but one such child of the said William and John Lewis respectively I give and devise their respective shares to such only child his or her heirs and assigns for ever and in default of such last mentioned issue I give and devise the same hereditaments unto my said Nephew William Jones his heirs and assigns for ever. I give and bequeath unto my nephews and niece, William, John, Thomas, Benjamin Lewis and Jane Evans and also to Margaret the natural daughter of the said Jane Evans the sum of Three Pounds a piece to be paid and discharged by my said niece Mary Lewis out of the hereditaments so devised to her aforesaid but the same is to be paid and followed (that is to say) within the first twelve months after my decease the sum of three pounds to be paid to my said nephew William and in the same manner to each of my other said nephews and Niece and the said Margaret Evans in every following year and so that only one sum of three pounds shall be paid in each year and so on until each of them will have been paid. I give and bequeath all my Stock, crops and implants of husbandry household furniture foods chattels and effects and all other my personal estate whatsoever unto my said Nephew William Jones and my said Niece Mary Lewis absolutely in equal shares subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and I will and direct that my said Niece Mary Lewis shall reside with and bedirected by my said Nephew William Jones at Penpcillion aforesaid for the space of twelve calendar months next after my decease free from any remuneration in order to enable them the better to pay off my said bets and of declare and direct that the mortgage money of Two Hundred Pounds and interest due to Mr. Stephen Aubrey and charged on all my said real estate shall be borne and paid by my said nephew William Jones or otherwise discharged out of the said hereditaments devise in his favor as aforesaid and also that the aforesaid hereinbefore ……… my said William Jones is in full discharge of any claim or allowance on my estate for any services he may have served ………. or any offer debt whatsoever and I appoint my said Nephew and Niece William Jones and Mary Lewis Executor and Executive of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will or wills by me at any time here before made. In testimony whereof I the said Mary Rofser have hereunto set my hand the tenth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight.

Signed by the above named Mary Rosfer as and for                 )               Signed

her last will and testament in the presence of us                      )

present at the same time who in her presence and                   )         MARY ROFSER

in the presence of each other have hereunder subscribed          )

our names as arresting witnessed thereto                                )

illegibly signature & WJ Thomas - Clerk to Mr. Lewis Morris – Carmarthen

Diocese of St. David’s

In the Consistory Court

At Carmarthen

At Carmarthen the nineteenth day August 1851

William Jones of Penpcillion in the parish of Llansetphan in the County of Carmarthen, Farmer and Mary Lewis of the same place, spinster, the joint Executors in this will named,were duly sworn to the truth and faithfully performance thereof, as usual, and that the goods, chattels and credits of the deceased do not amount in value to the sum of One Hundred Pounds, and that deceased died on the Twenty Seventh day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty One.

Before me

Thomas Bevan

Surrogate

......................................................................................................

This is a copy of a Marriage Bidding held in the George Eyre Evans collection held in

National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth - Esther Rosser of Trehyddion has added her

namethere is  definite family connection but one not found by me

Pictures of Penpicillion taken in 1973 before it's restoration this is not as when the Rosser family lived there it had an insensitive make over

Penpicillion Farmhouse 1973

Gentleman in the picture is my Father Jack Thomas, on this visit my Grandmother

Hetty Ann (Miles) Garfield accompanied us she was Jennet Rosser's

Great-Great-Granddaughter doesn't sound so far back when I say that

Some interesting documents these documents were found by Erik Thomas, Great-Great-Great Grandson of Ann Jones, Maesybidia granddaughter of Jennet Rosser of Penpicillion...........................

Page Two

To read an account from the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society please click here

Interesting on the final page referring to Penpicillion .........

Carefully preserved in the farm house are many other interesting curiosities and relics, including wooden spoons and rack, wooden bowls and eating vessels, one of peculiar shape, use unknown ;  'Beibl Cromwell' the Protector, according to tradition, having contributed towards the cost of publishing it; an English Bible, 1637 and Speed's map of Carmarthenshire

In April 2021 I was contacted by Jenni Jenkins, Jenni lived many miles North of myself and Penpicillion in the Scottish Borders she had found had the above account on the Rosser family of Penpicillon and like myself her husband was a descendant.  With Jenni's consent I am sharing what she told and asked me ........

Her first email was 10th April, 2020 in which she asked did I have further information on William Jones and his wife Rachel.  (William was a nephew to my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother Jennet Rosser who married Rees Jones of Maesybidia) In her second email of the 21st April Jenni explains her husbands lineage

William Jones Born 1813 son of Esther (Rosser) & John Jones

married Rachel Born 1833

l

                                               Mary                     John                      William

                                           Born 1861              Born 1864                Born 1867

                                           married

                                         Richard Elias

                                     Tan-yr-Egwls Farm

                                               l

                                            Rachel

                                         married 1926

                                      Benjamin Jenkins

                                              l

                                Lillian   Doreen   Desmond

                                                            l

As preciously stated the 1891 census stated that William was living at Penpicillon with his daughter Mary and granddaughter Rachel

The following account is from Jenni's email :

' Mary Jones committed suicide in Penpicillion in 1926 and Benjamin & Rachel were renting the farm from her uncle John Jones (we think) however Rachel & Benjamin moved to Long Life Farm near Maeysbont but Benjamin was killed when he hit a stray cow on the road whilst on his motorbike at night. Rachel managed for a few years on her own with the children but died of a heart attack in 1941. The 3 children were split up and the farm sold. The name was changed from Long Life to Coetir Bach

Penpicillion was then left to William, whose granddaughter May Morris owned it until it was sold in the 1990s. We are not sure who Mays father was but her maiden name was Davies. '

E-Mail from Jenni 23rd April, 2021 reads :

' I find it very ironic that the farm his grandparents owned was called “Long Life” but their lives were cut so short!  The family tale is that Rachel Jenkins went to her aunt’s funeral (widow of John Jones) and on her return she had a heart attack on the door step and died. She had locked the 3 children in the house before she went out and neighbours across the fields heard the children crying and went over. Unfortunately my father in law died before I started any research but his sister did confirm this was the case and the 3 children were separated and went to other relatives to be brought up. My father in law eventually moved to the Midlands in search of work after he left school and this is where he met my mother in law and in the 1970s they moved up here to near Berwick Upon Tweed. I am from this area originally.

My husband’s cousin, Wyn Evans, used to farm at Cwmllyfri, which is close to Penpicillion and this is how we came to start the research when we were on holiday once as my husband knew very little about his Welsh roots. We went to Penpicillion and the house was virtually derelict, with cattle roaming in and out as there were no doors on it. My mother in law has talked about going there many, many years ago to visit elderly relations but we don’t know who these would be and she has Alzheimer’s Disease now so her memory is not too good.

Penpicillion was sold in the 1990’s to a jeweller from Carmarthen and renovated.  We haven’t been down for a number of yes, so yes, I would be grateful for nay photographs.'