Childhood in Dolgarrog

MY EARLY DAYS
By JEAN DAVIES (neé ROBERTS)

I was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog, the third daughter of Owen John and Sarah Michell Roberts (neé Jenkins). My father came from Penmon, Anglesey, and mother from Blaena.

I was about 4 years old when we left Blaenau Ffestiniog to live in Dolgarrog around 1932. My father came to work at the Aluminium Works. I remember my first visit to our home, 26 Gwydr Road. It seemed huge and empty. Obviously the furniture van had not arrived, but we children were very thrilled with the house. It had three bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, a kitchen, pantry, spacious hall, living room and parlour. My father turned our back garden into a productive kitchen garden with fruit and vegetables, with a lawn and flower garden at the front.

26 Gwydr Road, Dolgarrog.

The photo shows the house and wooden fence, before the road was altered. It is at the far end of the Gwydr Road colour postcard picture (below, after next story).
I can remember the current road running through Dolgarrog being built, with lorries and steam rollers working hard all day. There existed only a rough track outside our home then, muddy at times with several large stones or boulders visible. The main road was below that, and ran past Tan Y Ffordd farm.

Old postcard from Mrs Davies' collection showing E B Jones shop.

The first infant school I attended was called The Aviary, situated opposite the Royal British Legion Club and up a narrow hill. Turning right, it was on the left. It consisted of only one room. It eventually became our Methodist Sunday School and prayer meeting place. The Band of Hope was also held there.
The older children went to a school called ‘Sillens’, opposite E. B. Jones stores on the main road. I recall using a thin slate to write on with a slate stick when I later attended there. The school property and land no doubt belonged to the Aluminium Corporation Limited, and years later it became a medical clinic for mothers and their babies.

Llanrhochwyn census 1881

BETWEEN BETWS Y COED, LLANRHOCHWYN AND TREFRIW IN 1881: CENSUS DETAILS

From a private search for names in Llanrhochwyn, which is also on the high ground of the mountain range to the west of the Conway Valley, here is a listing from 1881 of many of the names between Trefriw and Betws y Coed. It is not exhaustive.

William Roberts, 59, b. Penmachno, shoemaker, Jane Roberts, Wife, 55, b. Betws Y Coed, son Matthew Roberts, 31, unmarried, born Llanrhychwyn, Butcher, Margaret Roberts, daughter, unmarried, aged 20, born Llanrhychwyn, William Roberts, son, Unmarried, aged 17, born Llanrhychwyn, Slate Quarryman. 1 Llugwy Terrace, Llanrhychwyn.

Next door to Cwm Isaf

Which was next to Rhos Geffylau

.. .. The Vicarage - John Jenkyns, Boarder (Head)Bachelor, 36 born Llanfihangel, Vicar of Capel Curig

Jonathan Price, Married, 33, b. Tal y Bont. Slate Quarryman

Dolgarrog census 1901

1901 DOLGARROGCENSUS DETAILS

Coedsadwrn; Robert Williams 77, farmer born Caerhun, Grace Williams 74, wife, born Caerhun, Robert 30, farmer's son, Richard 27 carter on farm, Griffith 24, shepherd, William Price 18, all born Dolgarrog, grandson, cowhand born Caerhun.

Coeti Bach and Pwll Dy, both uninhabited.

Eilio; Robert Prichard 43, farmer, born Llanbedr, Ellen Pritchard, 23 wife born Caerhun

Hafod y Rhiw; Owen Pritchard 79, farmer born Aber, Jane Pritchard 75, wife born Llanllechid, William Thomas, 16, grandson, farm servant born Dolgarrog.

Cedryn; William Williams 39, farmer, born Llanbedr, Mary Jane Williams 42, wife, born Dolgarrog, children, Evan Thomas 15, born Llanbedr, William 13, John 11, Llewelyn 9, Olwen 7, Blodwen 4, Myfanwy 2 all born Dolgarrog.

Cowlyd; uninhabited.

Green power: Hydroelectric generators

Melin y Coed has a record of using water power to generate electricity. Here are some relics of that stage of its history. A water supply was also piped direct from its mountain source.

The present house called Y Glyn was built around 1938. A previous house, Sychbant, named on old census returns, was further back in the direction of some steps which are also the subject of enquiry at present. If one walks up the hill to the right of the house, with the stream on the right, one comes to a small stone building. This once housed the electrical generator (but no longer).

Power house!

Continuing up the hill with the stream on the right one comes to a dam. From this dam there used to be a pipe, which ran across to the left to give maximum height, thus producing maximum flow rate down to the generator.

The electricity produced was shared between Y Glyn and the Chapel. Many in the chapel complained that they could not see their prayer books, as the power started to fade. This was caused by leaves blocking the pipe. Two men stood ready as volunteers so that when this happened they could rush up the hill to clear the leaves and restore the flow. It is said that there were many volunteers for this task to get out of attending the service.

Part of the Water Pipe involved in the Hydroelectric system.

Water for the hydroelectric scheme.

Where the streams meet - Nant y Goron on the left meets the Cyffdy stream on the right.

A diagram of the streams in relation to the homes nearby.

This shed once housed an electricity generator installed for the use of the Cyffdy household.

The pulley wheel from the old (water powered) electricity generator at Cyffdy.

Green power: Wind turbines

East of Nant y Rhiw on the Gwytherin Road past Bryn Gwynt, twelve wind turbines for electricity generation are now visible.  

On the tops three lone windmills point the way to harnessing the wind for power.

All present and correct.

Read here about hydroelectric power in Melin Y Coed.

Read more about the windmill project and its prizewinning local instigators on www.news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/3007546.stm

Dolgarrog memories

Jane Owens of Caenant (from www.penmon.org)

Jane lived at Caenant One day, Jane was poorly and having a nap, when her daughter Sally heard an awful rumbling. The Eigiau dam wall had burst, and water was crashing down the valley. Sally ran upstairs to wake her mother and they both went outside.
They ran down the hill to where a woman was shouting out of the window for them to catch her child. They were desperately trying to help her when a boulder threatened to land on them. A man shoved Sally and Jane out of the way and saved them. Some of Sally's extended family were saved only because they had gone to the cinema that evening and their home was empty. Caenant is on the hill very near the path where the water burst through.

Questions: Coety Bach

Here is a request from Lynda, whose ancestors came from that area:

Wedi cael pleser mawr o ddarllen eich gwefan - Diolch.

Rydw i yn perthyn i deulu Coety Bach ac yn gofyn am gymorth i hel mwy o hanes y teulu - fedrith unrhyw un helpu ?

Thank you very much for the most interesting website. I am related to the family who lived at Coety Bach and would very much like to know if anyone has any information about the family history?

My great grandfather was Elias Williams born in 1843 at Coety Bach and I believe he was the youngest son of Henry and Elin[Ellen] Williams he moved to work in the Penrhyn Slate Quarry and died in Llanllechid having fathered 10 children.

Can anyone tell me anything about the rest of the Coety Bach family? He had 2 sisters, Ellen[Elizabeth]b1830, and Jane 1822, as well as 3 brothers Richiard[sic] b 1825, Robert b 1833, and John b 1835.

I would love to hear from anyone with any history about Coety or the family.

My family and I are living in Rachub/Llanllechid - still in the same village [ over the mountain ] that my great grandfather went to when he began working in the Penrhyn slate Quarry. I believe he left Dyffryn Conwy sometime between 1867 and 1869. I know that Coety and Coety bach are now under Llyn Coety.

Elias married a girl from Llanllechid and lived for a while at Tyddyn Robin Isaf [Llanbedr y Cennin]- this was where my grandfather Henry[b 1867 ]and his sister Ellin [b 1865] were born. I have been to see the graveyard at Llanbedr y Cennin Church and my great great grandparents are buried there to the left of the path leading up to the church.

I have also seen where Tyddyn Rhobin is, but there seems to be no record of Tyddyn Robin Isaf on any OS maps that I've seen . Does anyone know where it was? I would really love to find some family still living in the area, or any history about them.

There are family stories that Henry, my grandfather still kept sheep on the mountain here and would take them over the mountain to sell; he knew the mountains between Llanllechid and Llanbedr y Cennin really well and would walk over to see his family and to drink in Y Bedol. He was well known in sheep dog trial circuits of the time and was the Chairman of the sheep dog association here at the time.

With many thanks for your interest - Diolch yn fawr - Lynda

Lynda Pritchard d.pritchard @ btinternet.com

(To contact Lynda by email, close the anti-spam spaces)

Dolgarrog census 1891

1891 DOLGARROG
CENSUS DETAILS

Coedsadwrn ; William Williams, 28, farmer, Margaret Williams 27 wife, both born Talybont, children; Lewis L., 5, Ienig 3, both born Capel Curig, William 1, born Dolgarrog, farm servant Robert P. Williams 16, born Bethesda,

Coeti Mawr ; Robert Williams 65, farmer, Grace Williams 63, wife, children; Owen 32, farmer's son, Robert 24, stone quarryman, Richard 19, Griffith 17, Mary 22, nephew Willie P. 8. All were born in Dolgarrog.

Coeti Bach ; Chris Jones 42, single, farmer, born Rhiwgyfylchi, Jane Edwards 60, domestic servant, born Eglwysbach.

Pwll Dy ; Richard Roberts 67, farmer, born Rowen, Catherine Roberts 42, wife born Caerhun.

Elio ; Moses Roberts 40, shepherd, born Llanbedr, Elizabeth Roberts 27, wife, born Caerun, Mary E. 4, daughter born Dolgarrog.

Hafod y Rhiw ; Owen Pritchard, 69 farmer, born Aber, Jane Pritchard 66, wife, born Llanllechid, Robert Pritchard, 36, farmer's son, born Dolgarrog.

Cedryn ; William Williams 29, farmer, born Llanbedr, Mary I. Williams 29, wife, children; Evan T. 6, William 4, John 1, all born Dolgarrog, farm servant Robert Thomas 18 born Penmachno.

Cowlyd ; John Williams 32, farmer, born Llanbedr, Ellen Williams 44, wife, born Betws y Coed, Thomas 4, son born Llanbedr.

Caerreg Wen ; William Thomas 34, farmer, born Llabedr, Elizabeth Thomas 33, wife, children; Owen 9, Willie 6, Jane 4 all born Dolgarrog.

Siglan ; William Williams 65, farmer, born Llysfaen, Ellen Williams, 60 wife, children; John 19, Edward 16, Ellen 21 who was deaf, all born Llanbedr.

Pen y Bryn ; Lewis Hughes, 61, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Margaret Hughes 60, wife, born Caerhun, children; Charlotte 28, born Llanbedr, Robert 18, farm servant, born Llanberis.

Ardda ; David Williams, 37, farmer, born Caernarfonshire, Ann Jane Williams, 30, wife, children; Elizabeth A. 8, William R. 5 all born Caerhun.

Pandy Uchaf ; Edward I Evans 30, wool manufacturer, Catherine Evans 31, wife, children; Jane 1, David John 2 months, all born Llanbedr. Also living there were John Jones 65, wool maunfacturer, born Llangollen, John Evans 50, wool manufacturer, born Valley, Anglesey, John Roberts 12, wool manufacturer, born Llanrwst, Elizabeth Grace Owens 14, domestic servant, born Caerhun.

Factory Isaf ; Daniel Jones 61, wool manufacturer, born Llansantffriad, Margaret Jones 59, wife, born Llansantffraid, children; Jane 26 working in the factory, Annie 24, working in the factory, Edward 22, wool manufacturer, Maggie, 15, Elizabeth 8, all born Dolgarrog.

Newborough Arms ; John Thomas 48, Publican and farmer, Elizabeth Thomas 50, sister, Publican, Benolophi Williams 46, general servant, all born Llanbedr, Jane Williams 21, general servant born Llandrillo.

Tan y Gerddi ; Catherine Williams 46, widow farmer born Yspytty Ivan.

Tan y Gerddi ; Samuel Evans 25, farmer, born Llangylenin, John Jones 15, farm servant born Capel Curig.

Pan Teg ; Hugh Roberts 38, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Elizabeth Roberts 36, wife, born Llanbedr, children; Catherine E. 8. William 6, Jane 5, D. R. Davies Roberts 3, all born Caerhun, Anne 5 months, born Dolgarrog, farm servant William Jones 27, born Llanfair Tal Haiarn, Ellen A Davies 21, farm servant born Llanbedr.

Tan y Ffordd ; Hugh Hughes 52, farmer, Elinor Hughes 49, wife, both born Dolgarrog, children; Maggie 14, David 10, both born Caerhun, Elias 9, brother in law, born Dolgarrog, William Roberts 44 working on farm, born Caerhun, Owen Jones 20, farm servant, born Llanddoget, Ellen Roberts 31, domestic servant, born Conway.

Ty Uchaf y Ffordd ; Moses Roberts 44, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Grace 42, wife, children; Richard 22, both born Eglwysbach, Hannah 19, born Llanbedr, William, 17, Annie 15, Margaret 13, Moses 8, Catherine 6, Robert J. 4, David 2 all born Dolgarrog.

Bankfield House ; John Taylor, 44, Landscappe painter, born Manchester, broke 2 blood vessels and congestion of the lungs, Ellen Taylor, 53 wife also a landscape painter, born Llanbedr, Mary Roberts 54, domestic servant, born Dolgarrog, suffering with Rheumatism. (NB these ailments are not normally recorded on census forms)

Tyddyn Uchaf ; David Hughes 53, farmer, Hannah Hughes 52, wife, children; David Hughes 23, Samuel Hughes 21, Jonathan Hughes 15, and cousin Ellen Jones 56, married, living on her means. All were born in Llanbedr.





Above: From Melin-y-Coed the hills on the western side of the valley are a constant source of interest.

Dolgarrog census 1871

1871 DOLGARROG
CENSUS DETAILS

Glanyrafon ; William Roberts, 50 farmer, born Dolgarrog, Anne Williams 47, wife children ; Elin 20, Hugh 18, both general servants, Mary 10, Jane Winifred 4, all born Dolgarrog.

Coedsadwrn ; Griffith Jones 40, shepherd, born Llanllyni, Grace Jones 27, wife, children ; John 7, William 5, Rowland 3, Anne 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Coety Mawr ; Robert Williams 44, farmer, Grace Williams 40 wife, both born Caerhun, children; David 128, William 15, Sarah Jane 13, Owen 11, John 9, Robert 5, Mary 2 all born Dolgarrog.

Coety Bach ; John Jones 25, bailiff to his father, Margaret Elin 15, sister, servant, both born Dwygyfylchi.

Pwll Dy ; Richard Roberts 46, farmer, Jane Roberts 45 wife, both born Caerhun, children ; William 22, Catherine 15, Robert 13, Jane 7, all born Caerhun, Elin 5, Anne 3, David 7 months.all born Dolgarrog.

Eilio : John Davies 54, shepherd, born Caerhun, Elizabeth Davies 37 wife, born Capel Garmon, children ; Jane 17, John 13, shepherd, both born Trefaenan, David 8, Grace 7, both born Caerhun.

Hafod y Rhiw ; Owen Pritchard 49, farmer, born Aber, Jane Pritchard 46 wife, born Llanllechid, children ; Robert 16, Elizabeth 14 both born Dolgarrog.

Cedryn ; William Davies 51, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Elizabeth Davies 46, wife, born Llanddeiniolen, children ; William 20, David 16, Elizabeth 14, Catherine Anne 10, all born Dolgarrog, lodging with them was Edward Davies 26, slate quarryman, born Llanllechid.

Cedryn Barracks were uninhabitted.

Cowlyd ; Elizabeth Williams 37, widow, farmer, children ; William 14, John 12, Elis 5, Robert 3, Mary 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Garreg Wen ; Anne Edwards, 61, widow, farmer, John Edwards 29, son, John Jones 16, all born Dolgarrog, Elin Roberts 15, both general servants, born Llanrhochwyn.

Siglan ; Edward illiams, 52, farmer, born Conwy, Jane Williams, 52 wife, born Aber, William Willaims 14, general servant born Beddgelert.

Pant y Siglan ; William Roberts 32, farmer, born Caerhun, Elizabeth Roberts, 20, wife, born Llanrhochan, Alice Roberts 1 daughter, Alice Roberts 18, general servant born Dolgarrog.

Penybryn ; Lewis Hughes 39, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Margaret Hughes 37, wife, born Caerhun, children ; Winifred 8, born Llanbedr, Margaret Louisa 7, born Llanbedr, Joseph Williams 18, born Llanllechid, Hannah Evans 22 born Dolgarrog, both general servants.

Ardda ; Moses Thomas 41, shepherd, born Dolgarrog, Anne Thomas, 35 wife, born Caerhun, William 4, son born Dolgarrog.

Pandy ; David Williams, 46, woollen manufacturer Margaret Williams, 30, sister, housekeeper, Edward I Evans 14, nephew, fuller, all born Dolgarrog, Jacob Jones 24, woollen manufacturer, born Gwytherin.

Factory ; Morris Evans, 35, woolllen manufacturer, born Betws y Coed, Jane Evans 33, wife, born Capel Curig, children ; Elinor 7, born Llanrwst, Edward M. 2, born Capel Curig, John Owens, 17, fuller, born Penmachno, Jane Jones, 21, visitor, born Corwen.

Factory ; Elinor Evans 71, widow, living on her own means, born Ysbyty, Elinor Evans 29, daughter, servant born Betws.

Factory ; John Hughes 37, factory man, born Llanfor, Grace Hughes 32, wife, born Llanallgo, Robert Edward 3months, son, born Dolgarrog, Grace Davies, 52, mother, visitor, born Llanallgo.

Factory ; Noah Jones 39, wheelwright, Elizabeth Jones 35, wife, both born Llanrhochwyn, children ; Letitia Jane 11, born Llanrwst, John 8, Elias 3, both born Caerhun.

Tan y Gerddi ; Richard Williams, 77, farmer, born LlanfairyngNghornwy, Anne Williams, 67, wife, born Henllan, David Williams 30, son, born Dolgarrog, general servant, Catherine Williams 28, daughter, housekeeper, born Ysbyty Ifan, Richard Williams 1, grandson born Dolgarrog.

Newborough Arms ; Elizabeth Thomas 73, widow, Beer House Keeper, born Llansantffraid, Elinor Thomas 30, daughter, waiter, John Thomas, 38, son, gamekeeper, both born Llanbedr, Elin Thomas 22, general servant, born Llanrwst.

Pant Teg ; Thomas Pritchard 53, farmer, Jane Pritchard 55, wife, Moses Jones 23 recorded as son, Catherine Pritchard 20, Thomas Jones, 15, both general servants.

Ty Newydd ; Owen Jones 55, farmer, born Caerhun, Elizabeth Jones 33, wife, born Llandudno, Hugh 12, son born Dolgarrog.

Ty Uchar Ffordd ; Richard Roberts 78, farmer, Thomas Roberts 55, brother, farm servant, both born Dolgarrog, Anne Griffiths 45, housekeeper, Jane Jones 15, general servant, both born Dolwyddelen, Richard Hughes 13, servant born Caerhun.

Tan y Ffordd ; David Roberts 55, farmer, born Caerhun, Winifred Roberts, 50, wife, born Nantyglyn, William Roberts 23, son, born Caerhun, Anne Griffiths 20, Thomas Lewis, both born Caerhun, both general servants.

Tyddyn ; David Hughes 34 farmer born Dolgarrog, Hannah Hughes 32, wife born Caerhun, children ; William 12, Margaret 9, Jane 6, David 3, Samuel 1 all born Dolgarrog.

Cedryn House ; Robert Foulkes Evans 29, Agent for B. Stoke Co., born Llanbedr, Margaret Anne Evans 26, wife, born Llangefni, Ebenezer Francis 4, son, born Manchester.

1881 DOLGARROG

CENSUS DETAILS

Coedsadwrn ; Griffith Jones 50, shepherd, born Llanllyfni, Grace Jones 38, wife, Born Gyffin, children; John 17, William 15, Rowland 13, Anne 11, Griffith 8, Robert 4, Hugh 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Coety Mawr ; Robert Williams 55, farmer, Grace Williams 49, wife, both born Caerhun, children ; William 24, shepherd, Sarah Jane 22, Robert 15, home maker, Mary 12, Richard 9, Griffith 7 all born Llanbedr.

Coedty Bach was uninhabitted.

Pwll Dy ; Richard Roberts 55 widower, farmer, children ; William 32, Jane 18, Ellen 16, all born Caerhun, David 10, born Dolgarrog.

Eilio ; William Jones 52, shepherd, born Llanarth, Jane Jones 38, wife, born Llandegai, children ; Sarah 11, Elizabeth 8, both born Llanidaw, John 5, Owen 1born Llanllechid.

Hafod y Rhiw ; Owen Pritchard 59, farmer, born Aber, Jane Pritchard 56, wife, born Llanllechid, children ; Robert 26, Elizabeth 21, dressmaker, born Dolgarrog, visiting them were Jane Roberts 12 born dwygyfylchi, and Mary Roberts 10 born Llanfair.

Cedryn ; William Davies 60, farmer of 300 acres, Mary Jane Davies 22, wife, both born Conway, Duncan Stewart 35, lodger, shepherd, born Pentholm, Scotland.

Cowlyd ; John Williams 22, farmer, Robert Williams 13, brother, born Dolgarrog, Ellen Thomas 34 general servant, born Bethesda.

Garreg Wen ; Elizabeth Williams, 46, widow farmer, born Llynwg (?) children ; William 24, Jane 17, Elis 15, Mary 11, all born Dolgarrog.

Siglan ; William Williams 55, farmer, born Llysfaen, Ellen Williams 50, wife, born Dolgarrog, children ; William 17, Thomas 15, Ellen 13, John 10, Edward 7, all born Caerhun, Jane 2, born Dolgarrog.

Pant Siglan was uninhabitted.

Penbryn ; Lewis Hughes 50, farmer, Margaret Hughes 52, born Caerhun, children ; John 22, M. L., daughter, 17 both general servants and both born Llanbedr.

Ardda ; Moses Thomas 51, farmer of 80 acres, born Dolgarrog, Anne 46, wife, born Caerhun, children William 14, Mary Jane 8, Grace 3 all born Dolgarrog. Visiting was Anne Davies 15 born Gyffin.

Pandy ; David Williams 56, woollen manufacturer, nephews ; Edward John Evans 24, spinner, both born Llanbedr, Elias Evans, 18 carder, Samuel Evans 15, weaver, both born Gyffinservant John Jones 40, wool weaver, born Llangollen.

Factory ; Daniel Jones 52, woollen manufacturer, born Llansantffriad, Margaret Jones 50, wife, Bala, children John 22, born Dolgarrog, Jane 18, Anne 14, born Talybont, Edward 12, born Bethesda, Maggie 6, born Dolgarrog.

Factory ; Thomas Jones 25, unmarried, labourer, Catherine Jones 53, mother, housekeeper, both born Caerhun, Anne Jones 23, boarder, quarryman's wife, Moses Jones 21 boarder, joiner, Anne Jane Jones, boarder, 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Ty'n Gerddi ; Catherine Williams 39, widow farmer 20 acres, born Capel Garmon.

Newborough Arms ; John Thomas 36, Inn keeper, born Dolgarrog, Elizabeth Thomas, 38, housekeeper, Penelope Williams 32, both born Llanbedr, Jane Williams 15, born Llandrillo, both general servants.

Ty Newydd ; Moses Roberts 34, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Grace Roberts 32, wife, children ; Richard 12, born Eglwysfach, Thomas 10, Hannah 9, born Caerhun, William 7, Anne 5, Margaret 4, Grace 1, all born Dolgarrog. Jane Roberts worked as a general servant, born Trefriw.

Pant Teg ; William Roberts 60, farmer, Anne Roberts 58, wife, children ; Hugh 28, Mary 20, Jane 14, all born Dolgarrog.

Ty dan Ffordd ; Thomas Roberts, 75, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Anne Griffiths 50, housekeeper, born Dolwyddelen, Thomas Roberts 20, born Llanbedr, William Roberts 14, born Caerhun, Margaret Williams, born Beetws y Coed, all farm servants

Tan y Ffordd ; David Roberts 68, farmer, born Caerhun, Winifred Roberts 58, wife, born Henllan, William Roberts 33, son, Owain Jones 18 both born Caerhun, and Margaret Jones 17, born Dolwyddelen, both farm servants.

Tyddyn ; David Hughes 46, farmer, Hasnnah Hughes 42, wife, children ; Margaret 19, David 13, Samuel 11, Mary Ellen 6, Jonathan 3, all born Llanbedr.

Glan yr Afon was uninhabited.

Dolgarrog census 1861

1861 DOLGARROG
CENSUS DETAILS

Coedsadwrn ; Rowland Roberts, 55, shepherd, Margaret Rowlands, 68, wife, Elizabeth Roberts 26, house servant, all born Dolgarrog.

Coety Mawr ; Robert Williams 33 farmer, Grace Williams, 28 wife, both born Caerhun, children ; David 8, William 5, Sarah Jane 3, Owen, 10 months, all born Dolgarrog, servant Catherine Williams, born Caerhun.

Coety Bach ; Henry Williams, 72, shepherd, born Llanrhochwyn, Elen Williams 32, wife, grandchildren ; Hugh 9, born Dolgarrog, John 6, born Bangor.

Pwll Dy ; Owen Jones 46, high land farmer, Grace Jones 46, wife, children ; Thomas 8, born Caerhun, Evan 7, born Llangelynin, Hugh 2, born Dolgarrog, father in law Thomas Pierce 81, shepherd, Robert Roberts 17 agricultural labourer, both born Caerhun, Elen Jones 26, dairy maid, born Trefriw.

Eilio ; William Roberts 68 shepherd, born Dolgarrog, Ann Roberts 55, wife, born Llanrhochwyn, children ; John 25, slate quarryman, William 43, shepherd, Ann 11, grandson John Roberts 2, all born Dolgarrog.

Hafod y Rhiw ; Owen Pritchard 39, high land farmer, born Aber, Jane Pritchard 36, wife, born Llanllechid, children ; Margaret 14, born Aber, Robert 6, Elizabeth 3, both born Dolgarrog.

Cedryn ; William Davies, 40, high land farmer, born Dolgarrog, Elizabeth Davies 36, wife, born Landwrog, Elen Griffiths 13, recorded as daughter in law, unmarried, born Llanrug, children ; William 10, Thomas 8, David Thom. 5, Elizabeth 4, Mary Jane 2, Catherine Ann, 6 months, all born Dolgarrog.

Cowlyd ; Thomas Williams, 50, high land farmer, born Llanllechid, Elizabeth Williams 26, wife, born Clynog, children ; William 4, John 2, Thomas 6 months, sall born Dolgarrog, shepherd Zechariah Jones 15, born Llanrwst.

Gareg Wen ; William Edwards 53, high land farmer, born Conway, 50, wife, John Griffiths 22, recorded as son, both born Dolgarrog.

Siglan ; Edward Williams, 40, farmer, born Conway, Jane Williams 40, wife, born Aber, William Jones 15, shepherd born Llanrhochwyn.

Pant y Siglan ; Owen Evans ; 75, high land farmer, born Llanrhochwyn, Alse (Alice ?) Evans 79, wife born Dolgarrog.

Pen y Bryn ; Lewis Hughes 32, high land farmer, Jane Hughes, sister 20, housekeeper, Rowland Hughes 65, uncle, an occupation of cowman has been deleted, all born Dolgarrog, Griffith Williams 21, carter, born Trefriw, Grace Roberts, 18, dairymaid, born Dolgarrog, Willaim Roberts 22, visitor, shepherd, born Caerhun.

Ardda ; Moses Thomas 31, shepherd, born Dolgarrog, Ann Griffiths 21, housekeeper born Trefriw.

Pandy ; David Williams 36, Manufacturing Master, born Dolgarrog, unmarried, David Williams 14, son maunfacturer, born Llanrhochwyn, Margaret Williams 24, sister, house servant, born Dolgarrog, Catherine Roberts 26, visitor, dressmaker, born Caerhun, William Edwards 59, fuller, born Llanfair, John Jones , 75, widower, manufacturer, born Gwydr, William I. Okes, 11, manufacturer, born Caerhun..

Factory ; Edward Evans, 25, Master of Woollen factory, born Betws Y Coed, Jane Evans, sister, 20, housekeeper, born Llandderfel, Griffith Jones 52, woollen weaver, born Dolwyddelen, John Jones 16, carder, born Capel Garmon.

Ty'n y Gerddi ; Richard Williams, 65, farmer, born Llanfair yng Nghornwy, Ann Williams 57, wife, born Henllan, David Williams 25 son, born Dolgarrog, Mary Jones 20, dairymaid born Llanbedr.

Pant Teg ; Moses Jones 82 widower, farmer, born Llanbedr, Jane Jones 44 daughter, house keeper, grandchildren ; Thomas Jones 16, Moses Jones 13, born Dogarrog, servant William Williams, 36 carter, born Llansantffraid, Owen Davies 56 cowman, born Caerhun, Jane Williams 16, dairymaid born Llandegai.

Caepolion ; Robert Roberts 75, agricultural labourer, born Dolgarrog, Mary Roberts 66, wife, born Dwygyfylchi, grandchildren ; Ann Roberts 10, Mary Roberts 4 both born Dolgarrog.

Ty Newydd ; John Jones 60, farmer, born Eglwysbach, Elen Jones 38, wife, born Llanrhochwyn.

Ty Ucha'r Ffordd ; Richard Roberts 66, farmer, Jane Roberts 56,s ister, housekeeper, Margaret Jane Hughes 19, niece, dairymaid, Moses Hughes 13, nephew, Elizabeth Hughes 8, niece, all born Dolgarrog, agricultural labourer, John Jones 20, born Trefaenan.

Tan y Ffordd ; David Roberts 47, widower, farmer, born Caerhun, children ; Elinor Roberts 18, William Roberts 13, Robert Roberts 11, David Roberts 7, born Dolgarrog, carter Robert Davies 22, born Llanelian, Jane Davies 17, house servant, born Llanrwst.

Tyddyn ; David Hughes 24, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Hannah Hughes 22 wife, born Caerhun, William 2, son born Dolgarrog.

Glan yr Afon ; Marharet Roberts 66, widow, farmer, born Llanuwchllyn, Ann Williams 32, daughter, born Dolgarrog, William Williams 31, son in law, stonemason, born Llangwstenin, grandchildren ; Jane 6, Elias 4, Samuel 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Glan yr Afon ; William Roberts 40, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Ann Roberts 37, wife, born Gyffin, children ; Jane 14, house servant, Elen 10, Hugh 8, Mary 8 months, all born Dolgarrog.

Dolgarrog census 1851

1851 DOLGARROG
CENSUS DETAILS

Coedsadwrn ; Rowland Roberts 44, shepherd, sisters ; Anne Roberts 72, sister, Margaret Roberts 52, housekeeper, Marie 50, servant, niece Elizabeth Jones 16 general servant, all born Dolgarrog.

Coety ; Robert Davies 24, widower, farmer mountainous land, born Caerhun, Catherine Williams 16 recorded as daughter in law 16, housekeeper, David Williams 12, brother in law, 12, Thomas Davies servant 21, all born Dolgarrog.

Coety Bach ; Henry Williams 63, shepherd, born Llanrhochwyn, Elen Williams 53, wife, born Llandegai, children ; John15, errand boy, born Llanbedr, Elias 7, born Dolgarrog.

Pwlldy ; William Roberts 49, farmer mountainous land, Elizabeth 55, wife, both born Dolgarrog, children ; Mary 10, born Llanrhochwyn, Elen 7, Anne 3, father John Roberts 87, widower, all born Dolgarrog, general servants ; Grace Williams 21, servant born Llanrhochwyn, Elen Davies 18, born Caernarfonshire, William Pritchard 18 born Llanbedr.

Eilio ; William Roberts 53, shepherd, born Dolgarrog, Anne Roberts 46, wife, born Llanrhochwyn, children ; John 14, Mary 10, Grace 8, William 4, Anne 1 all born Dolgarrog.

Hafod y Rhiw ; Owen Pritchard 30, widower, farmer mountainous land, Margaret 4, daughter, both born Aber, Margaret Griffiths 25, housekeeper, born Llaniolen.

Cedryn ; William Davies 31, farmer mountainous land, born Dolgarrog, Elizabeth Davies 36, wife, born Llaniolen, William 6 months son, Robert Davies 15, brother, both born Dolgarrog, Catherine Owen 18 , servant born Llaniolen.

Cowlyd ; Thomas Roberts 34 farmer mountainous land, Elizabeth Roberts 37, wife, Wlliam 2, son, all born Llanllechid, Elen Roberts 5 months, born Dolgarrog, John Owens 13, general servant, born Trefriw.

Garreg Wen ; William Edwards, 42 farmer mountainous land, born Conway, Anne Roberts 40, wife, John 12, son, both born Dolgarrog, John Griffiths 86 widower, father in law, born Llandegai, Jane Evans 15 servant, born Llanddeiniolen.

Siglan ; William Edwards 82, widower, farmer mountainous land, born Bangor, children ; Elizabeth Hughes, daughter, widow, 44, housekeeper, born Conway, Hannah 6, born Dolgarrog, servants Griffith Williams 17, born Dolgarrog, Anne Roberts 12 born Caerhun.

Pantsiglan ; Owen Evans 60, farmer mountainous land, born Llanrhochwyn, Alice Evans 68, wife, born Dolgarrog, Jane Roberts 12, servant, born Dolgarrog.

The next entry, which has no house name, gives details of widow Catherine Williams, 70, live on a property, born Llanrhochwyn.

Pen y Bryn Gwyn ; William Hughes 55, farmer mountainous land, born Caerhun, Anne Hughes 54, born Llanllechid, sons Hugh 35, Lewis 21, daughter Jane 10, all born Dolgarrog, daughter in law Ann Thomas 16 born Trefriw.

Ardda ; Mary Thomas 52, widow, farmer mountainous land, born Llanrwst, children ; Moses 21, shepherd, Miriam 16, David 9, Margaret 8 all born Dolgarrog.

Pandy ; David Williams 26, woollen manufacturer, unmarried, born Dolgarrog, David 4, son, born Llanrhochwyn, Jane Williams 24 sister, housekeeper, Ellis Williams 19, brother, woollen manufacturer, Margared 14, sister all born Dolgarrog.

Factory ; Robert Jones 43, widow, Master wool manufacturer, born Llanaelhaearn, children ; Catherine 17, Jane 14, both born Caerhun, John 12, Hannah 8, William 5, all born Dolgarrog, . Workman William Edwards 52, fuller, born Llanfor, Jeremiah Jones 29, wool spinner and weaver, born Betws, William Davies 15, wool garder, born Eglwysbach.

The next house, unnamed, was uninhabitted.

Factory ; Henry Lewis 36, sulphur miner, born Conway, Elizabeth 36, wife, born Trefriw, children ; Deborah 9, Jane 6, Robert 3, Mary 1, all born Dolgarrog.

Dol Hyfryd ; Michael Thomas 63, gamekeeper, born Caerhun, Elizabeth 55, wife, born Llansantffraid, Jane 24, daughter, servant, John 14 son, both born Llanbedr.

Tan y Gerddi ; Richard Williams 55, farmer, born Llanfair yng Nghornwy, Ann Williams 49, wife, born Henllan, children ; John 12, David 10, son in law, servants ; William Roberts 20, servant and daughter in law Margaret Roberts 15 all born Dolgarrog.

Pant Teg ; Moses Jones, 71, widower, farmer born Llanbedr, Thomas Jones 40, son, Jane Jones 35, daughter, housekeeper, both born Dolgarrog, David Jones 35, son in law, quarryman, born Llanbedr, grandchildren ; John 18, born Caerhun, Thomas 6, Moses 3, Ann 5 months. all born Dolgarrog, Hugh Hughes 34, general servant, born Caerhun, Hugh Jones 17, labourer, born Llanrhochwyn, Ann Williams 60, widow, visitor, born Trefriw.

Caefrotian ; Robert Roberts 64, labourer, born Dolgarrog, Mary 57, wife, born Dwygyfylchi, daughters Ann 27, Hannah 9, grandchildren Ceturah Pritchard 2, Ann Williams 5 months, all born Dolgarrog.

Beudy Mawr ; John Jones 50, widower, farmer, born Eglwysbach, Rowland Williams, 65, brother in law, born Dolgarrog, Jeannet Jones 65, widow, cousin, Catherine Jones 23, servant, both born Eglwysbach, visitors Ann Jones 8, Catherine Jones 1, both born Caerhun.

Tu Ucha'r Ffordd ; Richard Roberts 57, farmer, Jane Roberts 48, sister, housekeeper, Thomas Roberts 32, brother, farmer, Margaret Roberts 9, niece, Moses Roberts 3, nephew, all born Dolgarrog, William Williams 22, servant born Trefriw.

Tan y Ffordd ; David Roberts 36, farmer, born Cerhun, Margaret Roberts 39, wife, children ; Elinor 8, both born Dolgarrog, William 3, born Caerhun, Robert 4 months born Dolgarrog. William Evans 20, carpenter, David Hughes 21, servant, born Penmon, Margaret Hughes 16, servant born Llanbedr.

Tyddyn Isa ; William Hughes 63, widower, farmer, born Caerhun, daughters Jane Williams 24 housekeeper, ary Jones 21, son David 14, daughter Elen 11, all born Dolgarrog, David Williams 25, son in law, labourer, Thomas Jones 30, son in law, labourer, both born Eglwysbach, grandchildren William Jones 6 months, Thomas Williams 5 months, both born Dolgarrog.

Glanyrafon Isa ; Robert Roberts 71, farmer, born Dolgarrog, Margaret Roberts wife 55, born Llanuwchllyn, children ; Evan 29 farmer, Margaret 16both born Dolgarrog.

Glanyrafon Ucha ; William Roberts 66 widower farmer, born Caerhun, William Roberts 30, son farmer, born Dolgarrog, Ann Roberts 27, daughter in law, born Gyffin, grandchildren ; Jane Roberts 4, Elin Roberts 8 months. both born Dolgarrog. Servant Margaret Williams 16 servant born Trefriw.

Childhood memories of WW2

Written by Jean Davies for her granddaughter Kim Davies at Newtown in 1998.

I was only a young girl at the start of the War, and didn’t know what War was until my parents explained it to me.

In the village where I lived, Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley, there is a large Aluminium Works and also a Hydro-Electric Power Station. I understand that the Germans were aware of this fact, and they intended to bomb them. The Works was therefore camouflaged to disguise it from the views of the German aircraft pilots. Its roof was made to look like fields, and houses were painted on the sides of the buildings to confuse the enemy. Our homes were also camouflaged.

Llanrwst Grammar School had a foreign teacher. I was told that one day, she asked all the children to draw a map of the River Conway, showing where various places were. The river flowed very close to the Dolgarrog Aluminium Works. Shortly after that, the teacher did not appear in school again. Perhaps she was a spy, obtaining information for the Germans!

 

Above: "May Queen" - Betty Roberts, Myfanwy Roberts, Rhiannon Evans, Jean Roberts, Joyce Carpenter, Jean Jones, Margaret Roberts, Glenys Jones, May Queen Gwyn Davies, Mary Jones and Moira (?). Betty and Jean Jones decided to have a May Queen and arranged the event with the girls. It was held in the garden of 26 Gwydr Road, They borrowed the 'crown' for the day from neighbour Mrs Hughes at No 27, whose son had won it. Gwyn Davies was chosen as the May Queen.

When the air raid sirens rang out and we were in school, we all left very quickly to safe houses in the nearby village, for fear that a bomb would fall and destroy the school – and us too! Fortunately this never happened. In the air above some nearby lakes, were air pockets, and if a plane flew through one of them, it would immediately lose altitude, and drop to the ground like a stone. The pilots would die. Many years after the War, the remains of crashed warplanes were discovered.

Soldiers lived in our village in specially made huts, and there were several bunkers throughout the area where armed soldiers stayed. I remember large tanks travelling through Dolgarrog every Thursday, creating large holes in the road as they passed by. We children waved and shouted hooray at the soldiers who were in them and the lorries which accompanied the tanks. One day, our spaniel Jet went barking towards them. The tanks stopped and the soldiers all laughed to let Jet cross the road.

We could see searchlights from as far away as Liverpool at night, trying to pick out German bombers. The sirens sounded most nights and we could hear various places being bombed.

As schoolchildren, we knitted scarves for the army and the school forwarded these on to the soldiers to keep them warm on the battlefront.

 

Above: Dolgarrog Central School c. 1940.

Top L-R Rhiannon Evans, Josephine Watson. Olive Roberts, Gwyn Davies, Drina Scott, Jean Roberts, Bessie Bell, Jinnie Griffiths, Nora Spencer.

Middle L-R Annie Williams, Betty Davies, Joan Williams, Mary Coates, Betty Evans, Mildred Griffiths, Sally Shields, Audrey Baddley, Margaret Roberts.

Bottom L-R Glyn Roberts, Norman Evans, Gordon Jones, Ken Griffiths, Huwie Williams, Ken Carpenter, John Roberts, Jacky Bohanna.

Food such as butter, sugar and tea was scarce as were other items during the War. My father grew several vegetables in his garden and my mother did justice to them with her cooking. The shops were very short of ‘nice things’ and everyone had a Ration Book, which had a personalised number. My number was ZEIH/235. Very few sweets were available.

There were many War posters on display throughout Dolgarrog. The ones which stay in my mind are “Make do and Mend” and “Careless Talk Costs Lives”. I recall mending and re-mending our clothes and my father repaired our shoes. He was in the Local Defence Volunteers, renamed the Home Guard, having fought in the Great War of 1914-18. Each home had dark window curtains to stop lights showing at night. If there was a light, a policeman or a Home Guard soldier would knock on the door and give us a row. My father built an Anderson shelter in our back garden.

Despite all this, we children remained happy, not fully appreciating the situation, but we were extremely happy when the War came to an end.

 

Above: Gwydr Road, Dolgarrog, in days of peace.

Dolgarrog disaster

The Dolagarrog disaster in 1925 affected the whole community and was cause for lamentation for decades. It is still remembered and memorialised. Stories, old photos and memories of Dolgarrog.

Richard Roberts and his family. Mr Roberts saved his family at the risk of his own life.

 On Monday 2 November 1925, after two weeks of heavy rain, a breach in a small gravity dam occurred at the Aluminium Corporation's Llyn Eigiau reservoir, up in the hills near 735 m high Craig Eigiau. This was claimed at the time to have been caused by inadequate foundations and lack of maintenance.
This breach released thousands of gallons of water which flowed down along the course of the Porth Llwyd river to another small reservoir, the Coedty. This reservoir could not contain the extra water and breached also, releasing an even greater quantity of water, possibly some 350 million cubic meters, which carried huge boulders and pieces of pipeline down the mountain through Porth Llwyd hamlet and the village of Dolgarrog a mile below, sweeping houses and villagers away as it went. Sixteen people died.
 The water poured like a river down the streets and among the great boulders until the reservoirs were emptied. The church was swept away, its bell tolling as it went. Villagers were swept away, one family clinging to debris and singing hymns as they battled for their lives.

Poet Thomas Williams

Poems of Thomas Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn.

Yr ydym mewn dyled i'r ddiweddar Philip Williams, Melin y Coed, am gadw pedwar o benillion Thomas Williams, Gorsedd Grucyn, ac am ei roi i Ken Davies.

Mr Thomas Williams of Gorsedd Grucyn wrote a great deal of verse in his life. We are greatly privileged to be able to share some of his work with you here thanks to his descendant, Mr Ken Davies, who has transcribed them for us. He received them from another descendant, the late Philip Williams of Melin Y Coed, who was a very keen family historian with an enormous interest in the Melin Y Coed area.

The first poem was written upon the death of his sister, Mrs Jane Edwards, and the second is about Mr Robert Parry, Ty Newydd, Yr Oerfa. The third is about Lance Corporal Moses Llewelyn Jones, and the fourth about Evan Bleddyn Lloyd Williams, who died before his fourth birthday.

Poet Pernant

The work and life of poet Pernant, Bob Owen, of Carmel.

Robert (Bob) Owen was born at Pen-y-Fron, Carmel, on 29 October 1902.

 

He died in Landudno Hospital on July 7th 1983.

During his life he wrote many poems and overcame many difficulties to achieve what he did.

He wrote "Melin y Coed", which was recorded by local group "Y Mellt" in the nineteen seventies. 

Thank you

A word of thanks to visitors and helpers alike.

Two young people gave their grandfather an unusual gift for Christmas 2006 - a website.

From this gift seed the site which is now melin-y-coed.co.uk was grown with help from "Hogan Kit" on the other side of the world and had to be doubled in size.

Heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed in various ways to the existence and content of this site.

 Diolchwn i Dei Gorsedd Grucyn a Tom Bryniog Plas, ac i Wyn a Sylvia Bryniog Isaf.

Diolch hefyd i Mr Robert Elfyn Morris.

Our thanks to Mr Michael Tree of Hendre House and John Tandy, Ty Mawr.

Diolch i swyddogion Capel Bethel.

Diolch, teulu Fronwen a Teulu Y Glyn.

Diolch i Ken Davies a'r teulu ac i Rhianwen Roberts.

Diolch i Elfed Williams ac aelodau "Y Mellt".

Diolch i Mary a Meic Carmel a'u ffrindiau.

Thankyou Lori, Trevor and Janet from across the Atlantic.

Thanks, Lee Wetton of Rhos on Sea.

Diolch i Patricia Williams, Maggi Blythyn a Pat Rowley.

Thanks to Michael Richardson.

Diolch yn fawr, Rona Winkworth.

Thanks, Mary Morris.

Diolch i Janet a Meirion Roberts.

Diolch i Heulwen Roberts.

Diolch i Glyn Jones yn Thailand. Khop Khun Mak!

Thanks to all Canadians including Anthony Francis and Eric Dodman.

 Thank you for dropping by today to visit our site. Please don't leave without a cup of tea from the heart of Melin-y-Coed.

Diolch o galon i chi am alw heibio. Cymerwch panad bach cyn mynd! Cofiwch galw eto i weld beth sy'n newydd.

Please call again to see what's new.

Brysiwch yma eto.