The Children of Maesybdia
Ann Jones
My Mamgu
Daughter of John Jones & Esther (Davies) Jones
of Maesybidia, Abergorlech
Grand-daughter of Jennett Rosser of Penpicillion, Llansteffan
descent of the Lord Rhys - Rhys ap Gruffyd
Ann (Anne) Jones
Born Maesybidia, Abergorlech 1826 (Carmarthenshire)
Died 16.02.1911 Waunbant, Pontycymmer (Glamorgan)
Buried Penyfai Chapel (Bridgend 20th February, 1911
married
1853
Dafydd Thomas
Born 1828 Died 16th April 1881
Penygarn Cottage, Llangrech Farm, Llandybie (Carmarthenshire)
Died 1881 buried Smyma Baptist Chapel, Penyfai (Bridgend, Glamorgan)
Dafydd Thomas 1828-1881 |
Dafydd (referred on the English census records as David) was born into a very different World to Ann one without privilege, money or free education, the 1851 census records Dafydd as 13years old and working as a collier this was not unusual in Wales at the time but very sad. Ann at this time was enjoying, hunting, embroidery and being educated Priory School, Carmarthen. Dafydd was the fourth child born to Paul and Elizabeth (Morgan) Thomas, Paul was a Hat Maker. Records show Paul Thomas and Elizabeth Morgan married Llandybie 31st January, 1823 Llandybie Church records also record the following baptismal records for the children of Paul and Elizabeth Baptismal Names & Dates : Paul 15.12.1822 : Mary 14.03.1824 : Rachel 06.08.1826 :David 03.02.1828 :Morgan 02.05.1830 |
1841 Census Paul & Elizabeth Thomas 1851 Census Paul & Elizabeth Thomas
| Paul Thomas | Age 65 | Labourer | Paul Thomas | Age 76 | Hat Maker | Town of Carmarthen | ||
| Elizabeth Thomas | Age 45 | Elizabeth Thomas | Age 57 | Llandybie, Carmarthen | ||||
| Paul Thomas | Age 15 | Collier | David Thomas | Age 23 | Llandybie, Carmarthen | |||
| Rachel Thomas | Age 15 | Thomas Thomas | Age 3 | Collier | Llandeilo, Carmarthen | |||
| David Thomas | Age 13 | Collier |
1861 Census Record Elizabeth Thomas living Penwainhafod, Llandybie
| Elizabeth Thomas | Head | Widow | Age 68 | |
| Thomas Thomas | Grandson | unmarried | Age 13 | Collier |
Ann and Dafydd are said to have met at Llanybydder fair, he was taller than the average Welsh man with an athletic body and won some of the competitions at the fair which impressed Ann. Ann's parents had always hoped that she married a well to do local man who had made his feelings known to her but the love of her life was to be Dafydd and her life was to change very differently to that she had been born too, education, wealth, fox hunting a life of no hard work that was to follow her marriage.
Ann & Mary Jane Thomas |
Ann and daughter Mary Jane Outside their shop High Street, Pontycymmer Mary Jane Thomas
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Ann Jones
Born Maesybidia, Abergorlech 1826 (Camrarthenshire)
Died 16.02.1911 Waunbant, Pontycymmer (Glamorgan)
Buried Smyrna Chapel, Penyfai, Bridgend
Census Records for Ann before marriage
1841 Census, Maesybidie, Abergorlech 1851 Census the family have moved to Bedw Bach
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The family owned Maesybidie, Bedw Bach and Gondre in Llanybydder. Margaret had married John Evans and was to emigrate to America in 1856 Evan had left home and married Sarah, they lived their lives out in Wales farming John left for America and ended his life an unhappy man never to return to Wales Jane married a local farmer John Roberts Ricy emigrated to America in 1849 cried for Wales but not in health to return |
1861 Census Dafydd & Ann have married and living in Kenfig Hill 1871 Cenus Nantymole Cottages, Llandyfodwg
| David Thomas | Head | Age 33 | Collier | Llandybie | David Thomas | 43 | Head | 1828 | Carmarthenshire | ||
| Ann Thomas | Wife | Age 28 | Llanybydder | Anne Thomas | 43 | Wife | 1828 | Carmarthenshire | |||
| Hetty Thomas | Daughter | Age 5 | Brecon Town | Hetty Thomas | 15 | Daughter | 1856 | Glamorgan | |||
| Elizabeth Thomas | Daughter | Age 2 | Cwmamman | Mary Jane Thomas | 8 | Daughter | 1863 | Glamorgan | |||
| Margaret Anne Thomas | 2 | Daughter | 1869 | Glamorgan |
Llandyfodwg, a parish in Bridgend district of Glamorgan on a branch of the river Ogmore
1881 Census Dafydd & Ann Thomas living 19 Cwm Clydach Street Census 3rd April - Dafydd (David) died 16th April
| David Thomas | Head | Married | Age 50 | Coal Hewer | Born Carmarthen Llandybie |
| Anne Thomas | Wife | Married | Age 49 | Dressmaker | Born Carmarthenshire |
| Mary Jane Thomas | Daughter | Single | Age 17 | Born Glamorgan Pyle | |
| John Jenkins | Boarder | Married | Age 57 | Coal miner | Born Glamorgan Pyle |
| Malcolm Williams | Boarder | Married | Age 18 | Coal miner | Born Glamorgan Ystradfodwg |
Ann Jones my Mamgu was my Grandmother Hetty (Miles) Garfield grandmother and although born four generations before me was always live with my Grandmother so it is sometimes difficult to believe that we never met.
Ann was born into a wealthy influential Carmarthenshire farming family, she was educated at Priory School, Priory Street, Carmarthen and spoke her native tongue Welsh along with English and French was literate the education act for Wales wasn't passed until August, 1889 so prior to this unless you could pay for an education few could speak more than their native tongue or read and write and signed their name with a cross.
Children of Ann & Dafydd Thomas
Hetty * Mary Jane ) my great grandmother
Born 09.04.1855 Ystradgynlais (Cwm Clydach) Born 16.06.1862 )
Died 12.03.1931 buried Penyfai Chapel Died 1941 )
married married ) Buried St David's
16th December 1878 ) Church, Bettws
James Richards Micah Miles ) Bridgend, Glamorgan
Born 04.06.1855 Born 1860 )
Died 16.09.1918 buried Penyfai Died 1921 )
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l l l l l l Please click here for full information
Margaret Ann Beatrice David Henry Elizabeth May details Micah & Mary Jane Miles
1881-1935 1884-88 b. 08.03.1890 b. 29.04.1895
Buried Cocket, Swansea Buried Penyfai d. January 1978 Pontycymmer
married Chapel married d. June, 1974
Tabernacle, Pontycymmer with parents 1st Olwen Bowen cremated
Biathan Davies born 1909 Thornhill Cardiff
No Children died 1992 married
l 26th December 1922
l Jenkin Thomas
l Born 12.02.1899
l Died 15.02.1996
l No Children
.............................................................................
Leighton Bowen Richards
Born 14.12.1928 Swansea
Died 06.01.1993 Somerville, Massachusetts
Arrived New York 11th January, 1960
Interesting that his permanent address on entry to the USA is given as Pforzheim in Germany, Baden-Wruttemberg area
Pforzheim is home to the University of Applied Sciences. Arrival address in USA Orthopedic research labs Mass General
Hospital, Boston.
Son Born November 1951 - David Bowen Richards MD
o0o
Anne's brother Ricy Davis Jones son Ricy Howell Jones visited his Aunt Ann and cousin Mary Jane in Pontycymmer in 1886 and upon his return to America wrote the following letter - there is a copy of the original letter below which is in a frail condition
Notary Public office of Prosecuting Attorney
R. H. Jones
Counsellor at Law
At Court House Brigham City, Utah 4th July, 1886.Box Elder County
Dear Auntie Ann and Cousin Mary Jane
Having been at home about three weeks now, I feel that my promises to write you a letter should be performed without longer delay. You can imagine how much of my time has been occupied, calling on friends and acquaintances, and receiving calls from them. For all have manifested a great interest in hearing of my experience while in Wales and other foreign countries.
Our company across the ocean consisted of two hundred and ninety one saints, twelve of whom were from Wales. We were ten days on the sea and had a very pleasant voyage, we remained for two days in New York, but we did not go through Iowa, and I had no opportunity of seeing out relative there. I did not see my brother at Cornell University either but we expect him home any day now. My brother and sister who are married live some distance away and I have not had the pleasure of seeing them as yet, but I heard by letter that they and their families are in good health and doing well. I also learn that Father is well and quite busy with the farms.
I am very glad to be at home again but I often think of old Wales and of my visit to Cwm Garw I find many changes have taken place here during my absence for twenty-seven months is a long period to be from home. During that time I became so accustomed to the damp low climate to be very trying, but after a season I will become accustomed to it again no doubt. At this season of the year the days are very hot but the evenings are cool and delightful.
I still wish sometimes that we lived closer together that I could call and see you often and enjoy another long chat with you, and have evening song but we are a long way apart now and may never see each other again.
Give my kind love to Hettie and Mr. Richards and accept the same yourself and do not forget were you write to send me all the news about our people.
Trusting that you are in good health, I remain your affectionately
Ricy Ho Jones
Copy of oriignal letter ..................... Page One Page Two
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