A window to the past: 1841

THE VILLAGE OF MELIN-Y-COED IN 1841 

Transcribed by Ken Davies.

In 1841 Queen Victoria had been married to Prince Albert for 12 months, and. he introduced the first Christmas fir tree to Britain this year. Sir Robert Peel became Prime Minister. The first train pulled out of Paddington station and the Taff Vale railway became the first in Wales, running between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. The Penny Post had been in use for 12 months.

On the 8th of June 1841, census enumerator Hugh Hughes knocked on the door of Elias Williams and his family – the first from the village of Melin Coed in the township of Tybrith Isaf to be recorded on the 1841 Census.

The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called the village Pentre y Coed.

This first census supplied just basic information. It recorded every person living at that address on that night. The village had a total of ten households. No house names were noted. Adults ages tended to be rounded to the nearest 5 years, eg 48 would be 50.

Elias Williams (55) was a farmer. He and his wife Mary (50) had two daughters living with them, Anne (19) and Mary (15). Their household included an 18 year old farm servant, Catherine Williams.

Their neighbours were Robert (69) and Magdalen Williams (78). He worked as a carrier.

The first clue as to the location of each house is given by the next entry – John Williams (40) a miller. This is presumably The Mill in Melin y Coed. His wife Jane (30), and children John (8) and Elizabeth (3) shared the residence.

In the next home resided Margaret Roberts (48) and her two children Mary (11) and Elinor (1). The census does not always record whether people were single or widowed.

Tailor Hugh Morris (30) and wife Jane (28) were the only residents in the next household.

A cowper, David Davies (30) and wife Elizabeth (25), neither born in the county, are listed next.

Margaret Williams (30), a dressmaker, not from Denbighshire, lived on her own.

Nearby was the family of an agricultural labourer, Elias Roberts (30), wife Sarah (32), and children Robert (10), Elizabeth (8) and Elinor (6).

Neighbouring them were John Williams (50) an agricultural labourer and his daughter Margaret (12).

Another agricultural labourer William Thomas (54) and his wife Margaret (55) were the final entry in the village census.

“Kyffdu” was owned by George Davies (45), a gentleman of independent means. Living at The Hall, were Margaret Ellis (53) also of independent means; female servants Elinor Williams (40), Mary Williams (40), Elizabeth Williams (20), and Margaret Jones (25). Joseph Thomas (35) was employed as a joiner, and the following were male servants: Charles Roberts (36), David Roberts (45), John Jones (45), William Williams (20) Robert Thomas (18) and Hugh Williams (20).

 

Above: Cyffdy

The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Cyffdu.

John Jones (33) the blacksmith lived at Carneddau Smithy with his wife Alice (34) and children Jane (7), John (3) and Alice (1).

 

Above: Carneddau Smithy in 2007

Residing at Glanyrafon was Grace Evans (45)

Another Glanyrafon (noted Melin y Coed) had spinster Jane Jones (47) in residence.

Nearby, residing at Glanyrafon (noted Kyffdu) were widow Margaret Roberts (83) and Mary Roberts (47)

Farming at nearby Gallt Yr Efel was John Edwards (68), Margaret Edwards (43). Employed by him were servants Anne Roberts (18) and William Williams (18). A William Morris (38) was recorded as a lodger, but “lodger” was later crossed out.

Another local farm was Ty Gwyn, whose occupant Robert Williams (30) had in his household Letice Williams (45), Elizabeth Williams (17) and Thomas Williams (6). They employed Evan Evans (30).

 

Above: Ty Gwyn viewed from higher ground

John Jones (25), a labourer, lived at Highgate with his wife Elizabeth (26) and daughter Margaret (1).

 

Above: Highgate in the mid-nineteenth century.

Another labourer and his family lived at Highgate: Richard Evans (74), wife Mary (70), Elizabeth Thomas (30) and Mary Thomas (5 months).

Hugh Hughes (52) farmed Caer Berllan with wife Jane (55), and children Henry (28), Richard (22), Robert (15), John (12), Elinor (19) and Jane (9).

Stone Mason William Davies (49) lived at Penucha’r Gwyllt. He and his wife Mary (35) had three children with them; William (10), Hannah (5) and Catherine (3).

 

Above: Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt in 1993

Butcher Samuel Jones (37) and wife Elizabeth resided at Ty Mawr with children Grace (13), Samuel (8) and Lea (2). John Owen was employed as a male servant.

 

Above: Ty Mawr from Garth Hebog

Garth Hebog was the residence of Grace Owens (60) a lady of independent means, Robert Owens (30), David Jones (22), William Lloyd (12) and Elinor Roberts (22).

John Jones (39) was the local wheelwright, and he lived at Hirnant with wife Margaret (36).

Robert Jones (60) of independent means lived with Jane Jones (45) at Bryn Capel.

Farming Caermelwr was Edward Williams (65), wife Mary (60), and their seven children; William (30), Robert (28), Davis (24), Thomas (19), Michael (8) Jane (14) and Sarah (11). They employed Anne Davies (24) and Gwen Roberts (15) as house servants, and Thomas Lewis (40) as a cowman.

 

Above: Hendre House in Winter

An 80 year old gentleman of independent means, Thomas Blackwall, lived at Hendre House, with merchant William Blackwall (45), Mary Blackwall (55), also Elizabeth Blackwall (40) and Emma Chawner (?) both of independent means. Servants at the property were Mary Allen (45), Maryanne Thorpe (40), Edward Thomas (25) Gwen Thomas (25) and Elizabeth Thomas (30). (Note: Thomas Blackwall had lived in Hendre House since 1833 and lived there until his death in 1881. His son John then lived there with his wife, the former Margaret Moulsdale of Bryn Dyffryn. The next generation also saw a John Blackwall living there, this time with a Chile-born wife. One at least of their descendants lived at Belmont, Capel Garmon, another Thomas Blackwall, who died in his early 60s on May 10th, 1907(?) and was buried at Capel Garmon cemetery, later to be joined by his wife Elizabeth.)

 

Thomas Lloyd (36) and wife Janet Lloyd (55) farmed at Fedw. Interestingly, his mother

Mary (57) is noted as living in an outhouse with servants William Roberts (41) and Anne (17) – the reference to the outhouse has been crossed out.

Tyddyn Hen was farmed by Hugh Roberts (70), Margaret Hughes (30) and Elin Hughes (7). Both entries have the reference to being his daughters crossed out. Also living there were Ellin Hughes (15), Elizabeth Williams (55) and Hugh Thomas (16), servants.

Neighbouring farm Plastirion was run by John Evans and his wife Anne, both 35, caring for their children Catherine (12), Margaret (10), William (7) and John (5). Working and living there were servants Robert Edwards (35), Henery Davies (30), Margaret Owens (25) and Mary Williams (20).

Evan Lewis (58) farmed Penrallt, with Margaret (33), and servants Thomas Morris (55), Robert Lewis (24), William Jones (21), Robert Roberts (11) and Ellin Roberts (18).

Tyddyn Du saw farmer Thomas Roberts (75) running the land, with Margaret (65), Robert Roberts (25) and servants Ellin Lloyd (13) and Deanna Roberts (13).

Soflan appears twice in the census. Morris Roberts (55) labourer, his wife Margaret (54) and son John (11), in one, and David Roberts (68) William Roberts (77), with servants – probably sons and daughter David (24), Robert (15) Anne (25), and another Anne Davies (19).

 

Above: Soflen in 2006

At Pwllmonyn lived William Parry (68) Ellen Parry (70) Henery Parry (40), William Davies (14) and Ellen Williams (12). The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Pwll Mawnin.

Nearby Rallt Bach, saw farmer William Jones (60), wife Elizabeth (55) living there with son Thomas (22), daughter Mary (31), Robert Roberts (2 months old) and Jemima Hughes (14), servant.

Cadwalladr Jones (70) farmed Hendrewen with Mary Jones (55), Lewis Jones (16) and Robert Jones (20). Elin Hughes (20) and Margaret Williams (14) were servants there.

The Roberts family farmed Siamberwen. Evan (70), Jane (64), Evan (32), Owen (24). Working there were Jane Evans (19), Margaret Richards (12) and Robert Jones (20).

Labourer David Jones (45) and family lived at Henefel. His wife Catherine (45) also cared for their children Anne (17), John (15), William (12), Ellen (10).

Tyn Twll was farmed by William Williams (28), wife Jane (26), children Owen (5), Ellin (3) and Jane (1). Assisting were servants Eliza Jones (13) and Moses Jones (18) (see below for household to 1901).

Bryn y Fawnog had farmer Edward Jones (40) as head of the household, with Wife Elizabeth (35), and children William (15), Margaret (13), John (9), David (6), Abel (4), Robert (2) and Owen (3 months). Also living there were Anne Jones (17) and Anne Roberts (28), a mantua-maker.

(A mantua was a woman's gown constructed of one piece of fabric in such a way that folds and pleats could be taken in or let out over time. It was open at the front to reveal the garment below, and could be styled into another garment by unpicking and rearranging. Eventually a mantua came to mean a sumptuous woman's gown. Eventually dressmaking by cutting out pieces of fabric and sewing them together replaced mantua-making. RE)

 

Above: Bryn y Fawnog

Thomas Hughes (34) labourer, wife Anne (28) and children Mary (3) and Hugh (1) lived at Brynrodyn.

People of independent means lived at Caermelwr – Sarah Williams (46), Jane Williams (43) and John Williams (40) – possibly brother and sisters. The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Cae Melwyr.

Cae Ddafydd Llwyd had as occupants David Roberts (30), wife Gwen (30) and children Anne (9), Jane (7), Mary (4) and Catherine (2).

Thomas Jones (55) farmed Carneddau with servant Elizabeth Jones (23).

At Rhiwmaen Brith, Pierce Griffiths (45) farmed, assisted by his wife Jane (45) and children Pierce (13), Margaret (11), John (7), Mary (4), and Robert (1¾).

Another busy household was headed by weaver William Owens (50) at Croesffordd Berthddu. Other occupants were John William Owens (30), Jonah Pritchard also weavers, spinners Robert Davies(20) and William Thomas (15) and servant Mary Jones (19) and Jane Evans (15).

The census notes ‘another house’ next, in which lived Sarah Foulkes (65) and Margaret Foulkes.

Widow Elizabeth Owens (81) lived at Tyddyn Llywarch, where David Jones (50) farmed with Thomas Jones (46), Mary Jones (40) - a sister to Elizabeth Owens – and farm servants Mary Williams (10) and Robert Parry (10).

 

Gatehouse Kyffdy housed labourer Thomas Jones (30), wife Anne (25) and children Pritchard (4) and Robert (1).

 

NANT Y RHIW

Nine households appear under the specific entry of Nant Y Rhiw in 1841. The properties are unnamed.

Agricultural labourer Hugh Roberts (29), wife Margaret (19) and son Hugh (1) are the first entry.

Neighbouring them were Hugh Williams (50), also an Agricultural Labourer with presumably his daughter Anne (11).

Jane Davies (71) lived in the next property on her own.

Next to her lived Morris Owens (25), an agricultural labourer, and Margaret (18).

Elizabeth Pritchard (59) appears next. Living with her were William Roberts (29) agricultural labourer, wife Margaret (26) and son Thomas (2 months). Another infant Elizabeth Williams (2 months) was also in the household.

Shoe maker John Williams (23), wife Anne (27) and children Anne (2) and Margaret (7 months) are the next residents there.

A tailor, William Roberts (69) and wife Catherine (74) appear next.

William Williams (72) plied his trade as a shoe maker, and lived with Jane Williams (78).

Margaret Williams (42) completes the villagers in the unnamed houses.

Thomas Evans (70) farmed Bryn Beddau with servant Jane Thomas (54).

Farming Garth y Piga at that time was Robert Roberts (46) and wife Elizabeth (43). Their 8 children were Harry (18), Anne (16), Hannah (14), Elizabeth (9), Elinor (7), Mary (5), Evan (3) and Catherine (2 momths).

 

 

Above we see that Elizabeth died in 1852 at the age of 54 and was later joined by her son Evan, aged 36, in 1875.

Thanks to Lee Wetton of rhos-on-sea.com for permission to use the above photo.

The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Garth y Pegau.

Fotty Bach had Morris (24) and Catherine Hughes (25) in residence with Jane Williams (5).

Edward Thomas farmed (27) farmed Plas Onn with wife Catherine (26), children Owen (3) and Anne (1). Anne Williams (15) was employed as a servant.

Graiggoch was farmed by Evan Williams (30), wife Elizabeth (25), Grace (6), Elinor (3), Mary (3 months) with Alice (14) a servant.

Agricultural labourer Morris Thomas (29) and his family Margaret (30), Catherine (5), Morris (6) lived at Cae Gwyn Bach. Lodging there were David Williams (28) and Catherine Williams (26).

William Roberts (70), agricultural labourer, Robert William Roberts (33), Jane (28), William (6), Morris (4) Jane (2) and David (2 months) resided at Cae Gwyn Mawr.

Neighbouring Creigia (Creigiau) was farmed by William Jones (30), wife Anne (35), children Robert (13), Thomas (11), William (7), Elinor (9) and John (1). Employed as farm servants were Evan Roberts (20) and family, Catherine (26) and Catherine (15).

Previous Creigiau resident Ellin Jones had been buried 26 April 1837 aged 61, to be followed by her husband, Robert Jones, living at Bryn Capel Nant y Rhiw, who died aged 77 and was buried 27 October 1856,

 

Above: Creigiau

Morris Griffiths (35) wife Margaret (30) and Griffith (3) lived at Fronlas.

Farming Frithgraig (?) was Margaret Hughes (54), William Hughes(33) and Thomas Hughes (20).

Ty Newydd, Tyddyn Du had as its occupants, the Hughes family: Robert (29), Catherine (30), William (3) and Thomas (9 months).

Hwylfa Ddu was farmed by Evan Hughes (40) and family Anne (40), Hugh (15), Robert (7), William (5), and Hannah (2 months). (The map of 1880 called this farm "Hwylfa Adda" - Old Maps site).

 

Above: Hwylfa Ddu from near Tan y Graig 2006

Penyborfa Ty Brith, was inhabited by William Griffiths (70), wife Catherine (70) and son Robert (35).

At Glan y Gors, Hugh Evans (49) farmed, aided by wife Margaret (48), children Anne (15), William (10) and Robert (6). Anne Hughes (8) is noted as a lodger.

 

Above: Glan y Gors near Bryn Dybrith

Thomas Humphreys (70), wife Catherine (74), David (32) with servants Jane Williams (10) and Thomas Davies, farmed Tyn y Bryn.

 

Above: Tyn y Bryn

A family which was to move to Gorsedd Grucyn lived at Tan Y Graig - Owen Williams (31) wife Gwen (29), Margaret (7) and Catherine (1).

 

Above: Tan y Graig 2006

Bryn Rhyd had the Williams family as inhabitants. Agricultural labourer Evan (45), wife Margaret (31), Benjamin (7), Anne (4) and Aled (1).

Farmer Griffith Evans (75) farmed Bryn Y Gwynt with Gwen (25) and Margaret (20).

 

Above: Bryn Gwynt in 2006

Maes Gwyn was worked by Grace Edwards (59), with family members Robert (25), Grace (19) and Elinor(12).

 

Above: Maes Gwyn in 2006

Pant Y Maes shows Jane Jones (45), of independent means in residence, with children Owen (15) and Margaret (9). It appears that Jane also had a daughter called Mary Jones, who on 15 June 1844 married David Edwards, a husbandman and son of Llanrwst carrier Thomas Edwards. Mary's father is stated to be Freeholder William Williams. Mary was of full age, and her residence was stated to be Pant y Maes. Witnesses at the wedding were Peter Williams and Catherine Williams

 

Another entry against Pant y Maes, maintaining a separate household, is Margaret Davies (50).

 

The photos above are of Pant y Maes in 2006

William Williams (57) farmed Bryniog Y Plas with workers Edward Parry (18), John Griffiths (16), Thomas Williams (15) John Jones (13), Alice Williams (30) and Alice Roberts (20).

Orsedd Grycyn had as its residents agricultural labourer Owen Jones (42), wife Elizabeth (41), and daughters Gwen (10), Hanah (7) and Elinor (4). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Orsedd Grychyn).

Jane Davies (55) is noted as maintaining a separate household there.

Bryniog Uchaf had agricultural labourer David Roberts (40), wife Elizabeth (33) and children William (9), Lewis (5) and Rowland (?) (3).

Bryniog Bach shows William Jones (75), Hugh (27), Margaret (28), Mary (3) and William (1) living there with servant Elizabeth Pritchard (22).

At Hafoty Fawr farmer Robert Williams (39) toiled together with Margaret Williams (45) and servant Elinor Hughes (10).

In nearby Ty Du lived agricultural labourer William Jones (30), wife Margaret (28), children William (4) and Margaret (2).

Tyddyn Gabriel had as its inhabitants Robert Thomas (60), Jane Thomas (46) and Jane (13).

This concludes the enumeration of the parish of Ty Brith Isaf. An interesting point noted from this census is the number of children aged 2 months old in Nant Y Rhiw. The census was taken on the 8th June 1841 and raises the question: did any specific celebrations take place in the area during September 1840?

An entry reading Mogan (Maelogen today; in the map survey of 1800 it was called Moel Hogan) was inhabited by David Hughes (45), his wife Dorothy (35), and their children Anne (15) and John (15). Children’s names were generally accurately recorded, so could these seem to be twins. William Williams (15), servant completed the household.

 

Above: Moelogen

Another Hughes family lived at neighbouring Tyn Y Mynydd. Robert Hughes (65) farmed here with Margaret (70), Hugh (35), Morice (30) and servant Margaret Williams (13).

Bryn Hyfryd was farmed by Robert Roberts (25), wife Catherine (25), and Thomas (2), Anne (3 months).

Nant Y Fedwen appears next, farmed by William Hughes (35) with wife Elinor (35), Anne (3), Evan (1). Helping as a servant was Marian Hughes (12). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 lists this dwelling but not the others nearby except for "Moel Hogan".

 

Above: Old photo of Nant y Fedwen

Agricultural labourer Robert Owens (35) lived at Pen Y Ffordd with Anne (47), Robert (12), David (9) Thomas Lloyd (9) and Margaret Lloyd (5).

The interesting address called Farmyard housed farmer Thomas Evans (45), Margaret (35), and servants Margaret Davies (25) and Thomas Evans (15). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 did not list this dwelling).

Thomas Davies (75), an agricultural labourer, and Mary (75) resided at Ty’r Capel.

Henfrith was farmed by John Davies (30), wife Elinor (30) and sons William (7), Thomas (4) and Owen (1).

Llwynrhichart (also known as Llwyn Rhisiart and Llwyn Richard) housed farmer William Evans (25), Margaret (55) (possibly his mother) and siblings David (30), Jane (20) and John (15). Pritchard Lloyd (9) was also there. William later married and lived at Glan y Gors, Carmel. One of his sons, William, later lived at Ty Newydd (1901) and Fronwen (Y Cipar).

Henblas was farmed by John Owen (30), wife Catherine ( ) and son Abel (1). Servants Ann Roberts (20), Jane Thomas (15), Robert Williams (15) and John Lloyd (14).

Farming Tyddyn Ucha was Owen Williams (55), Elizabeth (35), John (14), Owen (7), Jane(5) Mary (3) and servants William Wynne (20), Jane Wynne (20) and Anne Williams (10 months). If Anne was a daughter to Owen and Elizabeth, she should have been listed before the Wynne family.

William Thomas (80) and wife Margaret (75) were still farming at Henfaes, with Owen (35), Elizabeth (35) and servants William Hughes (10) and Elizabeth Hughes (13).

Rhydlouw housed agricultural labourer Robert Jones (45), wife Gwen (45), and family Jane (13), Sarah (8), Elizabeth (6), Robert (3) and Jeremiah (1 month).

John Jones (45), wife Anne (45) and daughter Anne (11) lived at Rhyd Lechog.

Pennant was farmed by John Jones (45) and servants David Davies (35), William Parry (13) and Catherine Jones (30).

A second Rhyd Louw housed the family of agricultural labourer Thomas Griffiths (25), Catherine (30) and children Richard (4) and Jane (1).

Llety’r Dryw was inhabited by agricultural labourer Humphrey Humphreys (could be Hughes) (35), Anne (30), Phoebe (8), Catherine (6), and William (4). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Llety Drw.)

Ty Newydd housed agricultural labourer Thomas Owens (30), Jane (35) Anne (8), Margaret (6), William (4) and Robert (1).

A second Pennant housed farmer William Jones (45) and his wife Sarah (45).

The following children are noted as living on their own at Pen y Bryn. I suspect that this is an error. They could be children of William and Sarah Jones of Pennant. They are Elisabeth (11), Anne (8), Jane (6) and William (3).

Rhyd Lydan housed Charles Royl(e) (65), an agricultural labourer, Jane, Anne and Mary.

(The Royles had been in the area for many years, certainly since 1770, when Margaret and Samuel Royle had their daughter Susanna baptised in Llanrwst on May 15. Their other children baptised there were Mary, Elizabeth, John, and in 1781 another Mary - likely called Mary because the first child died; this was a custom. In 1777 Charles and Jane Royle had their son John baptised in Llanrwst on 24 May, followed by another Charles on 3 May 1778. This is quite possibly the Charles enumerated above. Other Royles having children around the same time were Diana and James (Esq., Gent) of Cae Melwr and Gwydir who seem to have had 12 children between 1788 and 1810, including one called Hugh Wynne. Mary and William Royle, who had their family between 1789 and 1793 also called one of their daughters Susanna. William and Elizabeth also seem to be family names. See a Royle memorial inscription on page Old News BMD)

Jane Owen (35) lived at Rhyd Lechog with Eunice (4) and Anne Roberts.

Farming Llwyn Gronw were Thomas Jones (50), Catherine (50), Elinor (14), Thomas (11), and servant Evan Williams (15).

Farmer William Evans (60), wife Catherine (60) and Robert (15) and John (3) were at Ty’n Y Ffordd.

Glan Gors was farmed by William Jones (55), Alice (50), William (20) and Elinor (15).

Edward Watson (25) agricultural labourer, Anne (35), Elisabeth (3) and Anne (1) resided at Rhyd Lydan.

Farming Pantglas was David Jones (25), Elinor (30) and William (1).

 

Above: Fireplace in Pant Glas interior in 2006

Anne Evans (30) a servant, David (13) and William (1) lived at Hafod y Gilbert.

William Williams (40) farmed Fedw, with wife Jane (35), Grace (13), Mary (11), Jane (7), Elinor (5) and Sarah (1). 20 year old William Evans was a servant there.

Glanrafon housed agricultural labourer Rowland Jones (35), wife Elisabeth (30), Anne (7) and William (3).

This concludes the Mathebrwd district of Llanrwst. Care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however not all entries are clearly written and unfortunate errors are possible. Many enumerators were not Welsh speaking, and would write phonetically. Servants were recorded as M.S. (male servants) and F.S. (female servants) on the census.