Cyffdy Hall, the oldest building in Melin-y-Coed, dates back to
1596. The land continues to be managed as a working farm.
The photos above were taken in the 1950s.
In October 2007 work began on conservation for the west gable, a Grade II listed building.
Below, the scaffolding is visible from the road through the trees.
November, and the work continues (below).
Above: The roof goes on at Cyffdy. December 2007.
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WHO LIVED AT CYFFDY WHEN? 1841 - 1901
A look at Cyffdy through the eyes of the census taker.
By Ken Davies.
1841 saw the first full censuses undertaken in this country. They were completed every 10 years.
Let us take a wander through time and visit Cyffdy Hall each decade thereafter, to establish who lived there. We will take you up to 1901. The property is named each year by how it was actually recorded on the census. It is worth noting that many others would have worked at Cyffdy during this period, but unless they were there during the date of each census, they would not have been recorded.
1841 - Kyffdu
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, Margaret Jones, 25. Joseph Thomas, 35, was employed as a joiner, and the following were male servants; Charles Roberts, 36, David Roberts, 45, of Llanrwst, John Jones, 45, William Williams, 20, Robert Thomas, 18, and Hugh Williams, 20.
Ages in 1841 were generally rounded to the nearest 5 years for adults. This explains why ages in later censuses may not tally,
1851- Cyffdy
George was still in residence aged 62, and this time described as a landowner of 60 acres and born in Mold. Margaret Williams had moved on, and his sister Elizabeth Davies, 52, also from Mold, had joined him.
Nephew Robert Owen Davies, 20, appears on the scene, described as a late scholar of Llanrwst. Only David Roberts, 55, remained there as a farm servant from 10 years ago. Other people employed by George were farm servant Cadwaladr Jones, 23, of Llanrwst, David Davies, 45, a dairyman from Trewydr, and 14 year old errand boy Richard Jones of Llanrwst. Elen Williams, 36, of Eglwysbach kept house with assistant Jane Williams, 54, of Bangor and 21 year old dairymaid, Margaret Evans of Ysbyty.
[According to documents relating to the will of George Davies and of its later owner, George Randolph Ashley, George Davies made his will on 24 April 1854 to George Ashley and Rev Joseph William Griffiths "And subject thereto to the use of his nephew Robert Owen Davies for his lifetime without impeachment of waste except in felling ornamental timber standing near the Mansion House of Cyffdu. And after the death of the said Robert Owen Davies to the use of George Edward Ashley and Richard Randolph Griffith". There were trusts for the benefit of younger children of Robert Owen Davies "to the use of the first and every other son of the said Robert Owen Davies successively in remainder one after the other according to their respective seniorities and the heirs of their respective bodies and in default of such issue to the use of the first and every other daughter of the said Robert Owen Davies etc."
"And the Will contained a power for Robert Owen Davies to appoint to any woman whom he might marry any rent charges not exceeding £200."
George Davies died 28 December 1854 and his Will was proved by George Ashley and Joseph William Griffith on 12 February 1855.
An Indenture dated 2 April 1856 made between Robert Owen Davies, Mary Ann Flint (later Davies) and Rev Richard Jones and Thomas Davies, being the Settlement on the marriage of the two, gave her £200 to be paid half yearly in January and July. - Ed.]
1861 has only two entries relating to Kyffdy and these are both noted ‘Kyffdy Lodge and Gatehouse’.
One household had Evan Williams as the head, a 53 year old widower who worked as a carter from the Llanrwst area, and Quarryman David Roberts, 33, of Llanbedr and his locally born wife and daughter Grace, 36, and Mary, 4.
The other household consisted of Eleanor Parry, 23, married and head of the household. She is noted as a labourer’s wife, although the labourer husband is not at home. Sons Hugh, 1, and what must one of the youngest census entries, William, aged just 1 week.
I traced a Robert O Davis, 22, a shipping clerk of Llanrwst, Nebo living in the household of Richard Pickering, Seacombe Street, Everton. Mr Pickering was a chief cook on a mail steamer. I cannot be absolutely certain it is the same Robert who returns to Kyffdy in time for the next census.
1871 – Kyffdy.
This census shows the return of Robert Owen Davies, a 39 year old landowner, to the property. He was George’s nephew and lived there in 1851. Robert’s wife, Mary Anne Davies, 38, (nee Flint), came from Minera. In 1851, she was working as a general servant at Brynpolyn, St Asaph district, for Thomas Kyffin Roberts, 49, a District Auditor and Superintendent of Registrars. Robert and Mary had a daughter Alice Louisa, 9, locally born.
Mary Anne’s sister Eliza Jane Flint, 34, also of Minera, was visiting them that time. Alice Louisa’s governess at home was Mary Louisa Wilson of Liverpool. Cooking for the household was Ella Jones, 20, also a Liverpudlian. Mary Roberts, 19, was housemaid and David Jones, 20, was recorded as a domestic servant. Both came from Llangernyw.
1881 – Cyffdu House
Robert Owen Davies, 50, now a gentleman, was still head of the household consisting of his wife Mary Ann, 48, and daughter Alice Louisa,19, recorded as a gentleman’s wife and gentleman’s daughter respectively. Elizabeth Flint, 42, Mary’s sister, was again visiting the family.
Anne Williams, 32, from Gwyddelwern was now the cook with Alice Richards a 20 year old housemaid from Capel Garmon, and kitchen maid Jane Davies 22, born locally.
[Thomas Davies died, and Robert Owen Davies died 9 August 1882 leaving Alice Louisa Davies, his only child, surviving him. A marriage had been agreed upon and was intended shorlty to be solemnized betwen George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies, she with the approbation of George Randolph Ashley conveyed to Joseph William Griffith Geroge Edward Ashley and William Epworth Cowpland all the lands she was entitled to under the will of George Davies subject to the annual sums of £200 and £200 to the use of Ashley and Cowpland for the use of Alice Louisa during her life with the remainder after her death to George Randolph Ashley during his life and after his death to Joseph William Griffith, George Edward Ashley and William Epworth Cowpland upon trust to sell for the benefit of any children of the marriage.
The marriage of G R Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies took place 20 December 1882. Their son Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley was born 2 October 1883. Mary Ann Davies died 7 April 1891. Joseph William Griffith died 19 February 1894. Alice Louisa Ashley (nee Davies) died 31 July 1897.
1891 – Cyffdy.
John Hughes, 37, a wheelwright was now head of the household. His wife Elizabeth, 35, had brought up three children, Edward, 11, Sara Jane, 8 and John Robert, 4.
Lynch B Hughes, 19, and Richard Wood, 25, also worked as wheelwrights, and John Evans, a 62 year old farm labourer, and domestic servant Jane Jones completed the household.
[In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Mr Justice Kekewich, In the Matter of the Trusts of the Settlement dated the 19th December 1882 made on the Marriage of George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies Between the Rev G E Ashley and another, Plaintiffs, and L O R Ashley Defendant. 1898 April 21st By an Order made in the above mentioned Action Upon the application of the Plaintiffs by Summons dated 10th March 1898 and upon hearing the Solicitors for the Applicants and for the above named George Randolph Ashley and upon reading an Order dated the 24th May 1897 an Affidavit of George Edward Ashley filed the 4th april 1898 and the exhibit marked "A: therein referred to and the Taxing Master's Certificate dated the 19th and filed the 11th of August 1897 and the said George Randolph Ashley by his Soliciotrs consenting to the following order
IT WAS ORDERED that all the real and personal estate subject to the trusts of the above mentioned Indentures of Settlement of the 19th December 1882 do stand charged with the payment to the Plaintiff George Edward Ashley of the sum of £471 8s. 8d. the amount of the Plaintiffs costs taxed pursuant to the Order of the 25th May 1897 (which has been paid by him to Messrs. Griffith & Allard) together with interest thereon at the rate of £4 per cent per annum from the 10th August 1897 being the date of the Taxing Master's Certificate made purusant to the said Order until payment and also of £6 19s. 8d. the applicants assessed costs of this application and £3 4s the respondents assessed costs. - Ed.]
1901 – Cyffdy.
The property has again changed hands. Widow Janet Mary Morgan, 51, of Coliford, Gloucestershire was head of the household which she shared with daughter Christina Constance Morgan, 25, born in Llandilo, Monmouthshire. Her grandson held the proud name of Alfred William April Bugbird; he was only 15 months old and hailed from Seaford, Sussex.
Here, our brief travel in time comes to a close.
(Ken Davies)
On 26 August 1904 George Edward Ashley died.
June 21st 1907 Indenture between Geroge Randolph Ashley, William Epworth Cowpland, Harry Rathbone Griffith of Tanyronen Portmadoc, Physician and Surgeon, and John Blackwall of Hendre Llanrwst, Supplemental to the before absstracted Indenture dated 19 December 1882 and reciting that a sum of £3,000 ... by the Settlement paid to the said George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Ashley his wife secured by mortgage of Glandulyn Ffynnon Bedr and Hafod y Cae in the County of Carnarvon and Beaver Grove in the County of Denbigh
And Reciting the deaths of Mary Ann Davies and Joseph William Griffith and Alice Louisa Ashley and ... the order of Mr Justice Kekewich 1898 and the death of George Edward Ashley ... and succession duty of £99 7s 2d payable on the cesser of the annuity of Mary Ann Davies was paid by George Randolph Ashley out of his own moneys ... and the estate duty on the death of Alice Louisa Ashley £1,188 had been duly paid and the sum of £850 part thereof was by virtue of the Finance Act 1894 raised by mortgage of certain hereditaments and the sum of £338 was paid by George Randolph Ashley out of his own moneys, and ... William Epwroth Cowpland was desirous of being discharged from the trust of the Settlement and ... George Randolph Ashley was desirous of appointing Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall to be Trustees of the Settlement in place of Joseph William Griffith and George Edward Ashley deceased and William Epworth Cowpland IT WAS WITNESSED that ... George Randolph Ashley did thereby appoint Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall to be Trustees ... and they consented to become and act as such Trustees ...
... And Reciting another Indenture of Mortgage dated the 20th day of August 1906 between G R Ashley and Evan Jones Owen, Nicholas Bennett Owen and John Vaughan Owen ... G R Ashley conveyed parts of the hereditaments ... to the use of Evan Jones Owen, Nicholas Bennett Owen and John Vauyghan Owen by way of mortgage to secure the repayment of the sum of £850 ... the trustees stood possessed of the hereditaments upon trust for Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley to be disposed of as he should direct but subject to the Indentures of Marriage ... Date of Mortgage 13 March 1884 £1,160 to Elizabeth Thompson Hill, Anne Thompson Hill, Leah Thompson Hill, Mary Thompson Hill, and Mortgage of 30 December 1884 for £1,840 to the same.
October 26 1907 Indenture between Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley, Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith and Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall ... Reciting that George Randolph Ashley was the tenant for life ... and it was the intention of Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley that the hereditaments should be treated as real estate and freed from the trust ... and income should go to Lionel Ashley during his life and after his death to Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith and her assigns during her life or until her second marriage and if she married again upon trust from such marriage an annuity of £ and sell the hereditaments ... in trust for issue of the marriage ... and the power of appointing new Trustees exercisable by Lionel Ashley and Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith during her widowhood.
The first Schedule referred to: Bryniog y Plas, Bryniog Ucha, Bryniog Isa, Orsedd Grucyn, Tlyddyn Gabriel, Pen Ucha Gwyllt, Ty Mawr, Rhiwmaenbrith, Penrallt, Nant Ucha, Hwylfa Ddu, Bryn Beddau, Creigiau, Bryn Gwynog, Bryn Perfedd, Llwynau, Maes Madoc, Bevor Grove, Carneddau, Carneddau otherwise Carneddau Smithy, Pencraig, Fotty, Llidiart y Gwynt, Tyn y Mynydd, Nant Isa otherwise Rallt Isa, Pen y Bont, otherwise Scowlyn, Talybont with allotments called Ffrith Waen y Groes and Padell Curn Cychan, Malden Llanbedr y Cenin, Bedol and Inn, lGlan Dulyn, Ffynnon Bedr with allotment called Ffrith Waen y Gaer, Hafod y Cal Caerhun, Talybont otherwise Talybont Mill, MaesyCastell Caerhun and Llanbedr y Cenin, Cyffdy Park, Mansion House Cyffdy, Ffridd Mines, Bettws y Coed Mine otherwise Cyffdy Consols.
Coetmor, Pentref Ucha, Tros yr Afon, Oerfa, Ty Neweydd, Cyffdy Lodge, Nant y Rhiw, Bryn Capel, Tyn y Berth, Pwll Caer Llupi or Llegi, Llanbedr y Cenin, Ffrith Pencraig Capel Curig (late a Township of Trewydyr), Hafod yr Ewen, Aber Meddiant, Ty Llwyn, Bryn Fawnog Capel Curig, Ty Newydd.
30 October 1907 the marriage between the said Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley and Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith was duly solemnised in the Church of St. Paul's, Knightsbridge.
A wonderful photograph of the bride may be seen on: http :// lafayette.150m.com/gri5505.html
She was the daughter of Rev. Charles Bodval Griffiths, Rector of Bishopstone, Hereford and Hon. Mrs Charles Bodval Griffiths and she wore a white satin dress, trimmed with old Brussels appliqué lace and draped with an old Brussels lace veil lent to her by her aunt, Lady Ruthven. She wore a tulle veil with a tiara of orange blossoms and myrtle, and carried a sheaf of Harrissii lilies.
Mr L O R Ashley played cricket for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championships in 1920.
1911 July 26 Indenture between lionel Owen Randolph Ashley of Plas Caer Groes Llanrwst and Harry Rathbone Griffith of Tanyronen Portmadoc and John Blackwall of Hendre Llanrwst
Reciting that at the date of the Indenture Alice Louisa Davies Spinster was seised for the estate of inheritance in fee simple in possession of the lands and hereditaments in the same Indenture comprised and intended to be thereby conveyed subject to two annual sums or rent charges of £200 and £200 in favour of her late mother Mary Anne Davies during her life but otherwise free from incumbrances ...
And reciting that the said intended marriage between the said George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies was duly solemnized on 20 December 1882 at Llanrwst and that there was issue of such marriage two children only namely Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley who was born on the 2nd day of October 1883 and one child who died in infancy ...
3 June 1915 G R Ashley died.
18 February 1916 His will was proved in Bangor by H Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall.
2 May 1916 H R Griffith died.
9 May 1917 Indenture between L O R Ashley, John Blackwall, Ronald Mylne Ford of 1 Broadlands Road Highgate and Penry John Murray of Penpont in Brecon ...
... and reciting that John Blackwall desired to retire
And reciting that L O R Ashley was desirous of appointing R M Ford and Penry John Murray to be trustees of the Marriage Settlement ...
30 July 1917 Indenture ... John Blackwall as Trustee did at the request of Lionel Ashley thereby convey unto the Trustees ... the hereditaments ... to hold ... to the use of the Trustees ... Executed by J Blackwall and L O R Ashley and attested.
Other extracts from related Cyffdy documents can be found on the Ty Newydd Owners page.
Above: This is believed to be the same Col. Ritchie who spent time in Melin y Coed. In 1917 he was in Ty Newydd, and at another as yet undetermined time he lived in Cyffdy. In 1911 he was at Fronwen, likely as part of a shooting party, and his daughter Molly sent him a post card as under. He would have known and been friendly with Mr Robert Crowe, Shipowner, of Bedford Road South, Liverpool, who came to Melin y Coed frequently for grouse shooting in the last decades of the 19th century and early part of the 20th. Mr Crowe also owned a very large house in Morfa Conway, since demolished.
Colonel John Ritchie was born in Liverpool and died in Parkside, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. He married Hannah Catherine Ross MAWDSLEY in Toxteth Park, Christ Church. She was a member of an old Liverpool family, though there was a local legend that she was French. They had four children. Their daughter Alice Muriel, known as "Molly"; died 29 May, 1954. David Mawdsley Ritchie was born 12 August 1892 in Willianbury, Willian, near Letchworth, Hertfordshire and died 10 September 1974. James Norman Ritchie was born in 1897 and died 24 April, 1970. He became a farmer, and his name is also still remembered by former neighbours in Melin y Coed. John Ryder Ritchie had two children, Imogen and Robin.
Colonel Ritchie was friendly with shipowner Robert Crowe, one time employer of William Evans, Fronwen. He and William Evans were also good friends, and William Evans was impressed with the way Cyffdy was run when Col. Ritchie lived there (he thought Cyffdy was "werth wheil", worth while.). Col Ritchie also lived in Ty Newydd at one time. His main place of residence was Liverpool, and he and his wife built a memorial chapel in St Matthew and St James's Church, Mossley Hill in 1922.
Colonel Ritchie was Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 1917 and 1918.
When Mrs Ritchie died Ellen Ann Evans wrote a letter of condolence to Col. Ritchie and received a reply saying that he remembered the times when he used to go to Fronwen to shoot. A photo of Col and Mrs Ritchie used to hang above the door of the parlour in Fronwen.
David Mawdsley Ritchie married Vera Marguerite Edmondson, whose second husband he was. Her son (David's stepson) is still living (2007).
Various documents connected with the 1917 sale at Cyffdy appear on our page "Secular History".
They demonstrate the following:
Let us take a wander through time and visit Cyffdy Hall each decade thereafter, to establish who lived there. We will take you up to 1901. The property is named each year by how it was actually recorded on the census. It is worth noting that many others would have worked at Cyffdy during this period, but unless they were there during the date of each census, they would not have been recorded.
1841 - Kyffdu
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, Margaret Jones, 25. Joseph Thomas, 35, was employed as a joiner, and the following were male servants; Charles Roberts, 36, David Roberts, 45, of Llanrwst, John Jones, 45, William Williams, 20, Robert Thomas, 18, and Hugh Williams, 20.
Ages in 1841 were generally rounded to the nearest 5 years for adults. This explains why ages in later censuses may not tally,
1851- Cyffdy
George was still in residence aged 62, and this time described as a landowner of 60 acres and born in Mold. Margaret Williams had moved on, and his sister Elizabeth Davies, 52, also from Mold, had joined him.
Nephew Robert Owen Davies, 20, appears on the scene, described as a late scholar of Llanrwst. Only David Roberts, 55, remained there as a farm servant from 10 years ago. Other people employed by George were farm servant Cadwaladr Jones, 23, of Llanrwst, David Davies, 45, a dairyman from Trewydr, and 14 year old errand boy Richard Jones of Llanrwst. Elen Williams, 36, of Eglwysbach kept house with assistant Jane Williams, 54, of Bangor and 21 year old dairymaid, Margaret Evans of Ysbyty.
[According to documents relating to the will of George Davies and of its later owner, George Randolph Ashley, George Davies made his will on 24 April 1854 to George Ashley and Rev Joseph William Griffiths "And subject thereto to the use of his nephew Robert Owen Davies for his lifetime without impeachment of waste except in felling ornamental timber standing near the Mansion House of Cyffdu. And after the death of the said Robert Owen Davies to the use of George Edward Ashley and Richard Randolph Griffith". There were trusts for the benefit of younger children of Robert Owen Davies "to the use of the first and every other son of the said Robert Owen Davies successively in remainder one after the other according to their respective seniorities and the heirs of their respective bodies and in default of such issue to the use of the first and every other daughter of the said Robert Owen Davies etc."
"And the Will contained a power for Robert Owen Davies to appoint to any woman whom he might marry any rent charges not exceeding £200."
George Davies died 28 December 1854 and his Will was proved by George Ashley and Joseph William Griffith on 12 February 1855.
An Indenture dated 2 April 1856 made between Robert Owen Davies, Mary Ann Flint (later Davies) and Rev Richard Jones and Thomas Davies, being the Settlement on the marriage of the two, gave her £200 to be paid half yearly in January and July. - Ed.]
1861 has only two entries relating to Kyffdy and these are both noted ‘Kyffdy Lodge and Gatehouse’.
One household had Evan Williams as the head, a 53 year old widower who worked as a carter from the Llanrwst area, and Quarryman David Roberts, 33, of Llanbedr and his locally born wife and daughter Grace, 36, and Mary, 4.
The other household consisted of Eleanor Parry, 23, married and head of the household. She is noted as a labourer’s wife, although the labourer husband is not at home. Sons Hugh, 1, and what must one of the youngest census entries, William, aged just 1 week.
I traced a Robert O Davis, 22, a shipping clerk of Llanrwst, Nebo living in the household of Richard Pickering, Seacombe Street, Everton. Mr Pickering was a chief cook on a mail steamer. I cannot be absolutely certain it is the same Robert who returns to Kyffdy in time for the next census.
1871 – Kyffdy.
This census shows the return of Robert Owen Davies, a 39 year old landowner, to the property. He was George’s nephew and lived there in 1851. Robert’s wife, Mary Anne Davies, 38, (nee Flint), came from Minera. In 1851, she was working as a general servant at Brynpolyn, St Asaph district, for Thomas Kyffin Roberts, 49, a District Auditor and Superintendent of Registrars. Robert and Mary had a daughter Alice Louisa, 9, locally born.
Mary Anne’s sister Eliza Jane Flint, 34, also of Minera, was visiting them that time. Alice Louisa’s governess at home was Mary Louisa Wilson of Liverpool. Cooking for the household was Ella Jones, 20, also a Liverpudlian. Mary Roberts, 19, was housemaid and David Jones, 20, was recorded as a domestic servant. Both came from Llangernyw.
1881 – Cyffdu House
Robert Owen Davies, 50, now a gentleman, was still head of the household consisting of his wife Mary Ann, 48, and daughter Alice Louisa,19, recorded as a gentleman’s wife and gentleman’s daughter respectively. Elizabeth Flint, 42, Mary’s sister, was again visiting the family.
Anne Williams, 32, from Gwyddelwern was now the cook with Alice Richards a 20 year old housemaid from Capel Garmon, and kitchen maid Jane Davies 22, born locally.
[Thomas Davies died, and Robert Owen Davies died 9 August 1882 leaving Alice Louisa Davies, his only child, surviving him. A marriage had been agreed upon and was intended shorlty to be solemnized betwen George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies, she with the approbation of George Randolph Ashley conveyed to Joseph William Griffith Geroge Edward Ashley and William Epworth Cowpland all the lands she was entitled to under the will of George Davies subject to the annual sums of £200 and £200 to the use of Ashley and Cowpland for the use of Alice Louisa during her life with the remainder after her death to George Randolph Ashley during his life and after his death to Joseph William Griffith, George Edward Ashley and William Epworth Cowpland upon trust to sell for the benefit of any children of the marriage.
The marriage of G R Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies took place 20 December 1882. Their son Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley was born 2 October 1883. Mary Ann Davies died 7 April 1891. Joseph William Griffith died 19 February 1894. Alice Louisa Ashley (nee Davies) died 31 July 1897.
1891 – Cyffdy.
John Hughes, 37, a wheelwright was now head of the household. His wife Elizabeth, 35, had brought up three children, Edward, 11, Sara Jane, 8 and John Robert, 4.
Lynch B Hughes, 19, and Richard Wood, 25, also worked as wheelwrights, and John Evans, a 62 year old farm labourer, and domestic servant Jane Jones completed the household.
[In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Mr Justice Kekewich, In the Matter of the Trusts of the Settlement dated the 19th December 1882 made on the Marriage of George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies Between the Rev G E Ashley and another, Plaintiffs, and L O R Ashley Defendant. 1898 April 21st By an Order made in the above mentioned Action Upon the application of the Plaintiffs by Summons dated 10th March 1898 and upon hearing the Solicitors for the Applicants and for the above named George Randolph Ashley and upon reading an Order dated the 24th May 1897 an Affidavit of George Edward Ashley filed the 4th april 1898 and the exhibit marked "A: therein referred to and the Taxing Master's Certificate dated the 19th and filed the 11th of August 1897 and the said George Randolph Ashley by his Soliciotrs consenting to the following order
IT WAS ORDERED that all the real and personal estate subject to the trusts of the above mentioned Indentures of Settlement of the 19th December 1882 do stand charged with the payment to the Plaintiff George Edward Ashley of the sum of £471 8s. 8d. the amount of the Plaintiffs costs taxed pursuant to the Order of the 25th May 1897 (which has been paid by him to Messrs. Griffith & Allard) together with interest thereon at the rate of £4 per cent per annum from the 10th August 1897 being the date of the Taxing Master's Certificate made purusant to the said Order until payment and also of £6 19s. 8d. the applicants assessed costs of this application and £3 4s the respondents assessed costs. - Ed.]
1901 – Cyffdy.
The property has again changed hands. Widow Janet Mary Morgan, 51, of Coliford, Gloucestershire was head of the household which she shared with daughter Christina Constance Morgan, 25, born in Llandilo, Monmouthshire. Her grandson held the proud name of Alfred William April Bugbird; he was only 15 months old and hailed from Seaford, Sussex.
Here, our brief travel in time comes to a close.
(Ken Davies)
On 26 August 1904 George Edward Ashley died.
June 21st 1907 Indenture between Geroge Randolph Ashley, William Epworth Cowpland, Harry Rathbone Griffith of Tanyronen Portmadoc, Physician and Surgeon, and John Blackwall of Hendre Llanrwst, Supplemental to the before absstracted Indenture dated 19 December 1882 and reciting that a sum of £3,000 ... by the Settlement paid to the said George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Ashley his wife secured by mortgage of Glandulyn Ffynnon Bedr and Hafod y Cae in the County of Carnarvon and Beaver Grove in the County of Denbigh
And Reciting the deaths of Mary Ann Davies and Joseph William Griffith and Alice Louisa Ashley and ... the order of Mr Justice Kekewich 1898 and the death of George Edward Ashley ... and succession duty of £99 7s 2d payable on the cesser of the annuity of Mary Ann Davies was paid by George Randolph Ashley out of his own moneys ... and the estate duty on the death of Alice Louisa Ashley £1,188 had been duly paid and the sum of £850 part thereof was by virtue of the Finance Act 1894 raised by mortgage of certain hereditaments and the sum of £338 was paid by George Randolph Ashley out of his own moneys, and ... William Epwroth Cowpland was desirous of being discharged from the trust of the Settlement and ... George Randolph Ashley was desirous of appointing Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall to be Trustees of the Settlement in place of Joseph William Griffith and George Edward Ashley deceased and William Epworth Cowpland IT WAS WITNESSED that ... George Randolph Ashley did thereby appoint Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall to be Trustees ... and they consented to become and act as such Trustees ...
... And Reciting another Indenture of Mortgage dated the 20th day of August 1906 between G R Ashley and Evan Jones Owen, Nicholas Bennett Owen and John Vaughan Owen ... G R Ashley conveyed parts of the hereditaments ... to the use of Evan Jones Owen, Nicholas Bennett Owen and John Vauyghan Owen by way of mortgage to secure the repayment of the sum of £850 ... the trustees stood possessed of the hereditaments upon trust for Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley to be disposed of as he should direct but subject to the Indentures of Marriage ... Date of Mortgage 13 March 1884 £1,160 to Elizabeth Thompson Hill, Anne Thompson Hill, Leah Thompson Hill, Mary Thompson Hill, and Mortgage of 30 December 1884 for £1,840 to the same.
October 26 1907 Indenture between Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley, Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith and Harry Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall ... Reciting that George Randolph Ashley was the tenant for life ... and it was the intention of Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley that the hereditaments should be treated as real estate and freed from the trust ... and income should go to Lionel Ashley during his life and after his death to Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith and her assigns during her life or until her second marriage and if she married again upon trust from such marriage an annuity of £ and sell the hereditaments ... in trust for issue of the marriage ... and the power of appointing new Trustees exercisable by Lionel Ashley and Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith during her widowhood.
The first Schedule referred to: Bryniog y Plas, Bryniog Ucha, Bryniog Isa, Orsedd Grucyn, Tlyddyn Gabriel, Pen Ucha Gwyllt, Ty Mawr, Rhiwmaenbrith, Penrallt, Nant Ucha, Hwylfa Ddu, Bryn Beddau, Creigiau, Bryn Gwynog, Bryn Perfedd, Llwynau, Maes Madoc, Bevor Grove, Carneddau, Carneddau otherwise Carneddau Smithy, Pencraig, Fotty, Llidiart y Gwynt, Tyn y Mynydd, Nant Isa otherwise Rallt Isa, Pen y Bont, otherwise Scowlyn, Talybont with allotments called Ffrith Waen y Groes and Padell Curn Cychan, Malden Llanbedr y Cenin, Bedol and Inn, lGlan Dulyn, Ffynnon Bedr with allotment called Ffrith Waen y Gaer, Hafod y Cal Caerhun, Talybont otherwise Talybont Mill, MaesyCastell Caerhun and Llanbedr y Cenin, Cyffdy Park, Mansion House Cyffdy, Ffridd Mines, Bettws y Coed Mine otherwise Cyffdy Consols.
Coetmor, Pentref Ucha, Tros yr Afon, Oerfa, Ty Neweydd, Cyffdy Lodge, Nant y Rhiw, Bryn Capel, Tyn y Berth, Pwll Caer Llupi or Llegi, Llanbedr y Cenin, Ffrith Pencraig Capel Curig (late a Township of Trewydyr), Hafod yr Ewen, Aber Meddiant, Ty Llwyn, Bryn Fawnog Capel Curig, Ty Newydd.
30 October 1907 the marriage between the said Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley and Marjorie Ruthven Bodvel Griffith was duly solemnised in the Church of St. Paul's, Knightsbridge.
A wonderful photograph of the bride may be seen on: http :// lafayette.150m.com/gri5505.html
She was the daughter of Rev. Charles Bodval Griffiths, Rector of Bishopstone, Hereford and Hon. Mrs Charles Bodval Griffiths and she wore a white satin dress, trimmed with old Brussels appliqué lace and draped with an old Brussels lace veil lent to her by her aunt, Lady Ruthven. She wore a tulle veil with a tiara of orange blossoms and myrtle, and carried a sheaf of Harrissii lilies.
Mr L O R Ashley played cricket for Dorset in the Minor Counties Championships in 1920.
1911 July 26 Indenture between lionel Owen Randolph Ashley of Plas Caer Groes Llanrwst and Harry Rathbone Griffith of Tanyronen Portmadoc and John Blackwall of Hendre Llanrwst
Reciting that at the date of the Indenture Alice Louisa Davies Spinster was seised for the estate of inheritance in fee simple in possession of the lands and hereditaments in the same Indenture comprised and intended to be thereby conveyed subject to two annual sums or rent charges of £200 and £200 in favour of her late mother Mary Anne Davies during her life but otherwise free from incumbrances ...
And reciting that the said intended marriage between the said George Randolph Ashley and Alice Louisa Davies was duly solemnized on 20 December 1882 at Llanrwst and that there was issue of such marriage two children only namely Lionel Owen Randolph Ashley who was born on the 2nd day of October 1883 and one child who died in infancy ...
3 June 1915 G R Ashley died.
18 February 1916 His will was proved in Bangor by H Rathbone Griffith and John Blackwall.
2 May 1916 H R Griffith died.
9 May 1917 Indenture between L O R Ashley, John Blackwall, Ronald Mylne Ford of 1 Broadlands Road Highgate and Penry John Murray of Penpont in Brecon ...
... and reciting that John Blackwall desired to retire
And reciting that L O R Ashley was desirous of appointing R M Ford and Penry John Murray to be trustees of the Marriage Settlement ...
30 July 1917 Indenture ... John Blackwall as Trustee did at the request of Lionel Ashley thereby convey unto the Trustees ... the hereditaments ... to hold ... to the use of the Trustees ... Executed by J Blackwall and L O R Ashley and attested.
Other extracts from related Cyffdy documents can be found on the Ty Newydd Owners page.
Above: This is believed to be the same Col. Ritchie who spent time in Melin y Coed. In 1917 he was in Ty Newydd, and at another as yet undetermined time he lived in Cyffdy. In 1911 he was at Fronwen, likely as part of a shooting party, and his daughter Molly sent him a post card as under. He would have known and been friendly with Mr Robert Crowe, Shipowner, of Bedford Road South, Liverpool, who came to Melin y Coed frequently for grouse shooting in the last decades of the 19th century and early part of the 20th. Mr Crowe also owned a very large house in Morfa Conway, since demolished.
Colonel John Ritchie was born in Liverpool and died in Parkside, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. He married Hannah Catherine Ross MAWDSLEY in Toxteth Park, Christ Church. She was a member of an old Liverpool family, though there was a local legend that she was French. They had four children. Their daughter Alice Muriel, known as "Molly"; died 29 May, 1954. David Mawdsley Ritchie was born 12 August 1892 in Willianbury, Willian, near Letchworth, Hertfordshire and died 10 September 1974. James Norman Ritchie was born in 1897 and died 24 April, 1970. He became a farmer, and his name is also still remembered by former neighbours in Melin y Coed. John Ryder Ritchie had two children, Imogen and Robin.
Colonel Ritchie was friendly with shipowner Robert Crowe, one time employer of William Evans, Fronwen. He and William Evans were also good friends, and William Evans was impressed with the way Cyffdy was run when Col. Ritchie lived there (he thought Cyffdy was "werth wheil", worth while.). Col Ritchie also lived in Ty Newydd at one time. His main place of residence was Liverpool, and he and his wife built a memorial chapel in St Matthew and St James's Church, Mossley Hill in 1922.
Colonel Ritchie was Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 1917 and 1918.
When Mrs Ritchie died Ellen Ann Evans wrote a letter of condolence to Col. Ritchie and received a reply saying that he remembered the times when he used to go to Fronwen to shoot. A photo of Col and Mrs Ritchie used to hang above the door of the parlour in Fronwen.
David Mawdsley Ritchie married Vera Marguerite Edmondson, whose second husband he was. Her son (David's stepson) is still living (2007).
Various documents connected with the 1917 sale at Cyffdy appear on our page "Secular History".
They demonstrate the following:
Col. Ritchie was in Ty Newydd.
Mr Johnstone was in Cyffdy.
Mrs Mary Evans was in Pentre Uchaf Cottage.
Mrs Jane Williams was tenant of Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt.
Mr Arthur Harker was tenant of Bryniog Isaf and Ty Du.
Mr John Davies was in Bryniog Uchaf.
Mr Edward Edwards was tenant of Bryniog y Plas.
Mr Thomas Williams was in Gorsedd Grucyn.
Mr William Jones was in Ty Mawr.
Mr Edward Williams was in Penrallt.
Mr Joseph Roberts was tenant of Glan y Gors.
Mrs Anne Evans was in Cae Huddygl
Mr Edward Edwards' representatives are listed as at Carneddau
A Mr and Mrs Cadwaladr Roberts of Cyffdy were a very nice couple who are still remembered. He came from Pentrefoelas way, and was well educated and gentlemanly. Their daughter was called Nancy. Nell of Fronwen worked there, and named her daughter after Nancy. The Robertses left and held a sale there on 10 January 1929.
A Mr Robert Keet Jones came to live at Cyffdy, and also a couple called Daisy and John Jones. Daisy was styled Mrs Keet Jones and was well known for her collection of antiques, which she used to show to visitors.
Mr Robert Keet Jones died 6 June 1949 aged 66 and was laid to rest in Cae Melwr Cemetery, Llanrwst (below).
Daisy missed him greatly, as demonstrated by the verses on the monument.
The Sting Was Great, The Pain Severe
To Part With One I Loved So Dear.
The Trial Was Hard, I'll Not Complain,
But Trust In Christ We Meet Again.
Mrs Mary Evans was in Pentre Uchaf Cottage.
Mrs Jane Williams was tenant of Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt.
Mr Arthur Harker was tenant of Bryniog Isaf and Ty Du.
Mr John Davies was in Bryniog Uchaf.
Mr Edward Edwards was tenant of Bryniog y Plas.
Mr Thomas Williams was in Gorsedd Grucyn.
Mr William Jones was in Ty Mawr.
Mr Edward Williams was in Penrallt.
Mr Joseph Roberts was tenant of Glan y Gors.
Mrs Anne Evans was in Cae Huddygl
Mr Edward Edwards' representatives are listed as at Carneddau
A Mr and Mrs Cadwaladr Roberts of Cyffdy were a very nice couple who are still remembered. He came from Pentrefoelas way, and was well educated and gentlemanly. Their daughter was called Nancy. Nell of Fronwen worked there, and named her daughter after Nancy. The Robertses left and held a sale there on 10 January 1929.
A Mr Robert Keet Jones came to live at Cyffdy, and also a couple called Daisy and John Jones. Daisy was styled Mrs Keet Jones and was well known for her collection of antiques, which she used to show to visitors.
Mr Robert Keet Jones died 6 June 1949 aged 66 and was laid to rest in Cae Melwr Cemetery, Llanrwst (below).
Daisy missed him greatly, as demonstrated by the verses on the monument.
The Sting Was Great, The Pain Severe
To Part With One I Loved So Dear.
The Trial Was Hard, I'll Not Complain,
But Trust In Christ We Meet Again.
Day By Day I Miss You,
Words Would Fail To Tell.
But In Heaven We Meet Again,
Evermore With Him To Dwell.
Daisy died twelve years later at the age of 68 on 1 February
1961.
Mr Jones worked around the farm and outlived both of them. He
died 15 March 1964.
In Loving Memory of Robert Keet Jones, Cyffdy Hall, Llanrwst.
Who Was Promoted To Higher Life June 6, 1949 At The Age of 66. Not Lost, But
Gone Before.
The memorial inscription for Daisy and John appeared in Welsh.
Er Serchog Gof Am Daisy Jones Cyffdy Hall, Llanrwst. A Alwyd
Adref Chwefror 1, 1961. Yn 68 Oed. Yr Arglwydd Yw Fy Mugail.
(In loving memory of Daisy Jones, Cyffdy Hall, Llanrwst. Who was
called home February 1, 1961, aged 68. The Lord is my Shepherd.)
Hefyd John Jones, Priod Yr Uchod, A Alwyd Adref Mawrth 15, 1964.
(Also John Jones, Spouse of the above, who was called home March
15, 1964.)
The location of the grave is indicated on the maps above.
In the 1950s certain newspapers sensationalised the domestic
situation in Cyffdy according to the style of the time. An example appears at
the bottom of the page.
Green power of historical interest - the pulley wheel from the
water-powered electricity generator at Cyffdy.
Below: Clippings from the "Sunday Pictorial" of 4
April 1956.
Sent to MYC by Nickie, whose great grandmother kept the cutting
and is understood to have been related to Mr Jones.
As can be seen, a portion of the text is missing from the
cutting, now over half a century old. The story appeared on the front and back
pages of the newspaper.
Stowers Johnson also had a version of events at Cyffdy in his
book "Collector's Luck" (London, Phoenix House, 1968)
According to Stowers Johnson, Mr and Mrs Jones had at one time
kept a second hand store in Llanrwst, but after Mr Jones' accident Mr Keats, a
wealthy London antique dealer, had come upon the scene. The three of them moved
into Cyffdy, and Mr Keats and Mrs Jones, styling herself Mrs Keats-Jones,
travelled to the sales, while Mr Jones lived below stairs and worked on the
farm.
Stowers Johnson was shown the Cyffdy collection and spoke of a
variety of paintings by Salvator Rosa, Morland, De Loutherbourg, Barker of
Bath, and Pompeo Batoni. He claimed that her vast collection was a mixture of
good and bad, with spelter figures among the bronzes, seaside souvenirs
alongside Meissen china, K’ang Hsi vases and Ming porcelain. He said the best
paintings were in the barn with the rubbish, and that she had all kinds of
silver, also, with a standing figure of a Dutch girl meant for presentation to
the Queen if ever she came to visit Wales.
Mrs Jones told him about a variety of famous London dealers who
had made offers for her collection, and said she had contemplated selling
everything after the newspaper stories.
Apparently Mrs Jones told him a voice would tell her what to
collect and where to go, and she attributed her success to her listening to the
voice. The holly on the property was cut and made into wreaths in the winter
and sold in Liverpool, thus providing money for bidding at sales for jewels and
other valuables. Once, Mrs Jones had bought a chest of drawers containing
clothing, and hidden inside the clothing was a case of pearls.
Catherine Ann Jane Meredith - Cyffdy Hall Query (August 2010).
Looking for news of her mother at Cyffdy is Mary Martini, who
says:'
I was looking at your website and it is the first time I have
seen Cyffty Hall. My Mother, who died in 2002 aged almost 83, used to live in
the hall. She used to talk about the farm animals at the hall and farmlife. She
lived there with her stepmother, and she told me her Father had gone off around
the world. After that she lived in the Swallow Falls Hotel, I think with her
stepmother. I am not sure what her stepmother's name was. I wonder could you
help with any of this? My mother's name was Catherine Ann Jane Meredith. She
had a brother called David who went into the army and was later captured by the
Japanese.
I dont know if Daisy Jones could have been her stepmother. Any
help would be appreciated.
Thank you
M Martin
Above: Catherine Ann Jane Meredith with son Stanley.
Catherine was born in 1919, and Mary thinks she was a girl when
she was at Cyffdy. She thinks her mother mentioned Daisy Jones' name.
Catherine's mother was Harriet Parry; her story is unknown but ultimately
Catherine had a stepmother. Her father was Percival Meredith, and his father,
David Meredith, was the Swallow Falls Innkeeper. Catherine met her husband in
Manchester and they married in 1947. Her daughter Mary was born in 1952, and
she had two older sons. Catherine visited the Swallow Falls in the 1970s met an
old man who recognised her.
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