THE 1891 CENSUS FOR MELIN Y COED AND ENVIRONS
Transcribed by Ken Davies
In 1891, a new Elementary Education Bill made free education
available for all families in England and Wales. The Times newspaper made a
devastating attack on the Prince of Wales, condemning him for mixing in
doubtful society and indulging in “questionable pleasures”, thereby putting at
risk the “monarchial principle”. Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles
was published, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
was published in The Strand Magazine. Nearly one third of the population now
lived in towns of more than 100,000 inhabitants, compared with just one in
eight in France.
Meanwhile in Melin Y Coed, enumerator Owen Hughes was preparing
for his written entries in the 1891 census. This census is fortunately more
specific with places of birth.
Dinah Parry of 1 Glanllyn Terrace, a 42 year old widow, invited
him in to record her family’s details. She was born in Cerrig y Drudion, as was
her 24 year old labourer son Robert. She certainly would have had other
children but the ones living with her on that day were Owen 8, Margaret 5 and
Lewis 3, all Welsh speakers born in Melin y Coed.
2 Glanllyn Terrace housed Owen Jones, 24, a labourer from
Penmachno, and his wife Mary, 22, of Llanrwst. Their children Willie, 2, and
Elizabeth A., just 2 months old, were born in Melin y Coed. All spoke Welsh.
Next to them lived joiner John Davies, 29, with wife Martha, 32,
children Ellen Alice, 4, Gwladys, 2, and 3 month old Alwen. All were born in
Melin y Coed apart from Martha who came from Pentrefoelas. All Welsh speakers.
Thomas Davies, 26, a quarry labourer from Eglwysfach lived at
No. 4 with his wife Ellen, 26. She came from Nebo. Both spoke Welsh only.
Llanrwst born William Owen, 34, a joiner and his family lived at
No. 5. His wife Mary, 29, came from Llanrhychwyn. The couple originally lived
in Llanddoget where Ellen, 7, and William, 5, were born. They moved to Llanrwst
where Elizabeth, 2, was born, before living here. All Welsh speaking.
6 Glanllyn Terrace housed farm labourer Joseph Roberts, 25, of Eglwysfach.
Wife Jane, 22, of Nebo had given birth to Samuel Thomas 10 weeks previously in
Melin y Coed. All Welsh speakers.
The final residents in the terrace were Mary Jones, 70, a widow
from Ysbyty Ifan and her 33 year old son Rhys who was a slate quarry labourer,
born in Llanrwst. Welsh speaking.
60 year old widow Ellen Davies of Ysbyty Ifan, a Welsh speaking
domestic housekeeper lived in one part of Ty Hwnt I’r Afon.
In the other part resided 34 year old labourer Griffith Jones of
Llanrwst with his wife Ellen, 32, of Penmachno. Their first child Mary, 7, was
born when the couple lived in Llanddoget. They moved to Llanrwst where Robert,
5, was born, and 4 year old Rhys was born in Melin Y Coed. All Welsh speaking.
Ty Uchaf was farmed by Owen Hughes, 45, of Llanllechid, who was
also a corn merchant. He and his Llanrwst born wife Mary, 32, had four children
living at home, all born in Melin y Coed; Jane Anne, 15, Hugh Owen, 12, R.
Owen, 7, and 5 year old Mary Letitia. Assisting on the farm was domestic
servant Elizabeth Williams, 23, of Llanrwst, whereas 51 year old widower Daniel
Williams of Trefraith, Henllan was a corn miller. R. Owen and Mary Letitia
spoke Welsh only, the others were bilingual.
Above: Ty Ucha
Lynch Bridge Jones, 39, a labourer, lived at Tan Y Fron with his
wife Jane, 33, and daughter Ellen A., 1. All were born in Llanrwst and spoke
Welsh.
Above: Tan y Fron
Also living at Tan Y Fron was Welsh speaking bachelor John Jones
68 of Llanrwst.
Mary Jones, 57, was the village grocer who naturally lived at
the shop, with her game keeping husband Robert, 58, and their niece Elizabeth
Brilon Roberts, 13, who assisted in the shop. All Welsh speaking and Llanrwst
born.
Other Tan y Fron residents were Edward Thomas, 32, a labourer
and his wife Mary, 36. Both Welsh speaking and Llanrwst born.
Widow Ellen Williams, 67, of Llanddoget, a housekeeper, lived at
Coedmawr and was bilingual.
Pentre Uchaf housed sisters Gwen Evans, 67, a widow, and Jane
Thomas, 64. Both were Welsh speaking housekeepers and Llanrwst born.
Widower Robert Roberts, 41, a labourer, lived at Ty Newydd. He
and his daughter Elizabeth, 18, a seamstress, were born in Gwytherin. His other
two children Isabella, 4, and Abel, 1, were born in Melin y Coed. Abel’s age
informs us that Robert was only recently widowed. The age gap between Elizabeth
and Isabella suggests that there could have been other children. All spoke
Welsh.
Above: Ty Newydd
Farming Garth Hebog was 45 year old John Owens with his wife
Diana, 39, and children Grace, 15, I. Robert, 14, Catherine Mary, 12, (noted as
at school), Anne, 10, Thomas, 7, and Owen,3. Another Welsh speaking family born
in Llanrwst.
Catherine Jones, 72, and widowed, farmed Ty Mawr. She and her
son D.E. (David Ellis) Jones, 49, who managed the farm, were Llanrwst born.
D.E.’s wife Elizabeth E., 43, came from Birkenhead. Two of their children
Elizabeth C.(Catherine), 23, a domestic servant and William O. (Owen), 14, a
farm servant were Liverpool born. The couple moved to Llanrwst around 1878
where Lewis E., 12, a farm worker and Augusta I.H., 7, scholar were born. All
were bilingual.
Above: Ty Mawr
Fronwen is entered on the 1891 census, crossed out and noted as
uninhabited.
Widow Jane Williams, 56, farmed Pen Ucha’r Gwyllt. Living with
her was her 2 year old granddaughter Margaret Jane, both Welsh speaking, from
Llanrwst.
Griffith Jones, 54, a labourer, annotated mason, lived at Ty
Capel Nant y Rhiw, with wife Mary, 50, and children William, 12, Robert, 9, and
Thomas O., 4. All were born in Nebo, and spoke Welsh.
Stockings dealer O. Jones, 43, of Nebo lived at Penbryn Capel
with wife Jane, 42, of Llanddoget. Their son R. Thomas, 13, was born in
Llanrwst. O. Jones’ brother John, 50, of Nebo also lived with the family. The
enumerator notes that John was a dealer in stockings 30 years ago and had
retired – at what age is uncertain. John is also sadly noted as insane.
A Welsh speaking family born in Nebo lived at Ty Newydd, Nant y
Rhiw, general labourer Thomas Jones, 47, wife Mary, 47, William, 22, and John,
14, both also general labourers and scholar Margaret Elin, 11.
Tyddyn Gabriel housed quarry labourer Daniel Jones, 37, of
Llanelian, Llangernyw born wife Catherine, 42, and 2 year old son John E born
in Melin y Coed. Other family members living there included John, 75, Daniel’s
widowed father from Llanfair TH, and Daniel’s cousins John Roberts, 28, and
William Roberts, 20, both also quarry labourers, born in Llanelian. All were
Welsh speaking.
Widow Grace Roberts, 80, farmed Bryniog Isaf with her son
William, 54. I.N.G. Thomas, 14, her grandson worked there with Richard Davies,
18, and domestic servant Leah Davies, 12. All were Welsh speakers born in
Llanrwst.
Above: Bryniog Isaf
Nearby Bryniog Plas had farmer Edward Edwards, 59, from Ysbyty
Ifan as head of household. Wife Hannah, 56, hailed from Capel Garmon, and their
son John, 28, who worked on the farm, was born in Melin y Coed. Anne Jones, 16,
of Llanrwst was employed as a domestic servant. All spoke Welsh.
Above: Edward Edwards died at the age of 75 in 1907, Hannah aged
76 in 1910, and their son Henry aged 56 in 1916.
Thanks to Lee Wetton of rhos-on-sea.com for permission to use
the above photo.
Road worker Evan Roberts, 62, of Capel Garmon and his wife
Catherine, 57, of Llangernyw lived at Pennant Cottage (Pen Nant). Both spoke
Welsh.
Above: Pen Nant
Another part of Pennant Cottage was occupied by labourer William
Jones, 63, of Nebo, and his wife Margaret, 58, of Ysbyty Ifan. The three sons
living with them were all born when the couple lived in Nebo, Evan, 28,
William, 25, and Cadwaladr, 21. All were labourers. The family all spoke Welsh.
Pantymaes is crossed out with the annotation of 2 (houses)
uninhabited.
William Williams, 56, of Trefriw was a farmer living at Maes
Gwyn. His wife Margaret, 57, also came from Trefriw, and daughter Elizabeth,
14, was born when the couple lived in Llanrwst. Employed by them as servants on
the farm were Elizabeth Williams, 15, of Penmachno, R. I. Evans, 26, and
William Jones, 19, both of Nebo. Elizabeth was the only bilingual member of the
household.
Tan y Fron is deleted with an annotation of uninhabited.
Brynbedda appears next on the 1891 census. Residing there we
have labourer David Thomas, 52, of Betws y Coed, wife Jane, 56, of Nebo, and
daughter Eliza, 20, a skirt seamstress born in Llanrwst. All spoke Welsh.
Robert Roberts, 70, who farmed Bryniog Uchaf, was born in
Gwytherin and his wife Ann, 53, came from Llanrhychidyn. Their 5 year old
grandson Robert O lived with them and was Llanrwst born. Their servants were
Mary A Evans, 16, from Nebo and Thomas Williams, 16, from Llanrwst. All spoke
Welsh.
Thomas Williams, 41, farmed Gorsedd Grycyn. He was my great
grandfather on my father’s side. His widowed mother Gwen, 80, was with him.
Jane Jones, 21, his future wife, worked as a dairymaid. She was born in
Dolwyddelen as was another servant, David Jones, 17, who could have been her
brother. John Jones, 16, of Llanrwst also worked there. All spoke Welsh.
‘Relative’ Thomas John Williams, 11, also lived there and noted as dumb.
Roerfa (Oerfa) housed labourer and farmer Hugh Parry, 45, of
Pentrefoelas and his wife Jane, 47, of Nebo. Son Robert, 24, born in
Cerrigydrudion was infirm from childbirth. His siblings were born in Nebo;
Jane, 14, Catherine, 10, and Annie, 7. All were Welsh speakers.
Farmer Morris Hughes, 75, of Nebo and wife Catherine, 78, of
Llanrwst lived at Tanyffordd. Both spoke Welsh.
Evan Jones, 45, a farmer, lived at Bryn y Gwynt with wife
Catherine, 50. Their children were John, 16, Sarah, 11, and William, 5. All
Welsh speaking and born in Nebo.
William O. Jones, 37, and his family lived at Tyn y Bryn with
his wife Anne, 40, and son John, 17, who was born in Haydock, Lancashire. The
couple came from Llanrwst and Trefriw respectively, and all were bilingual.
Rhewlfa Ddu (Hwylfa Ddu) housed farmer Robert Hughes, 54, wife
Ellen, 40, and children Catherine, 11, Ellen Anne, 9, Evan, 8, and William, 6.
All were Welsh speakers and Nebo born apart from Ellen who came from Trefriw.
William Roberts lived at Tan Y Graig. He was a 56 year old
farmer who came from Nebo as did his children James, 12, and Grace, 6. Wife
Sydney, 41, was born in Llandewi, Pandy. All Welsh speakers.
Widow Jane Davies, 58, farmed Clytiau Teg with children Robert,
21, and Anne, 18. All Welsh speakers born in Nebo.
Richard Roberts, 40, of Nebo farmed Penygarnedd with wife Anne,
37, of Capel Garmon. Children Robert, 9, and Anne, 3, were born in Nebo. All
spoke Welsh.
Penmachno born Griffith Jones, 42, farmed Hafodlas. His wife
Alice, 44, and children Hugh, 16, and Margaret, 10, were born in Llanrwst and
all spoke Welsh.
Widow Margaret Jones, 75, of Capel Garmon farmed Creigiau with
sons Hugh, 47, born in Llangernyw, and William G., 35, born in Capel Garmon.
Nebo born Mary, 22, Margaret’s granddaughter, also lived there, and Owen Jones,
16, of Llanrwst worked there. All were Welsh speakers.
Quarry labourer Jonathan Jones, 45, of Llanddoget lived at Cae
Gwyn with Elizabeth, 46, his wife from Capel Garmon. Son John, 18, was a slate
quarry man, William, 16, an agricultural labourer, Robert Morris, 13, a scholar
and David, 8, also in school. All the sons were born in Nebo.
Graig Goch was farmed by William Roberts, 40, and wife Anne, 24.
Son William was only 14 weeks old. William’s 81 year old mother Mary was living
with them. Employed there were Hannah Roberts, 17, Edward Roberts, 32, and
Robert Roberts, 14. No known relationship. All came from Nebo and spoke Welsh.
Sisters Maggie Williams, 23, and Alice B Williams, 13, lived at
Bryn Tawel. Maggie was an Elementary school teacher from Cwm y Glo and Alice
was born in Dinorwic. Both were bilingual.
Butcher Owen Roberts, 44, lived at Bryn Hyfryd with wife
Margaret, 43, both of Capel Garmon where sons David, 21 and R.O., 20, miners,
were born. John T, 16, was a shopkeeper born in Nebo, Morris, 10, born in
Llanrwst and Owen, 8, born in Nebo. All spoke Welsh.
Abel Jones, 54, farmed at Bryn Fawnog with his wife Ellen, 47.
Their family consisted of Elizabeth, 12, William E, 11, Owen, 8, and Jane, 4.
All born in Nebo, other than Ellen who came from Llanrwst. Farm labourer John
Jones, 32, of Llanddoget was the only bilingual person living there. (For the
story of Jane's descendants, please see the web page "The Sheep
Joneses")
These entries terminated Owen Hughes' duties as enumerator in
this Ty Brith district.
We now join Robert Roberts as he continues the recording
process.
His first port of call was Bryn, where he met widow Elin Jones,
77, of Llanrwst who was living on her own means with her domestic servant
Elizabeth Edwards, 24, also of Llanrwst. Both were bilingual.
Hannah Owens, 72 and widowed, was head of Groesffordd Berthdu,
born in Ysbyty Ifan. Her daughter Mary Jane Evans, 32, born Llanrwst and her
family lived there too. Husband Thomas Evans, 51, was a lead miner and came
from Cefn Mawr, Rhiwabon. They had three Llanrwst born children, John, 7,
Margaret, 4, and Evan, 2. All spoke Welsh.
Also recorded at Groesffordd Berthdu were labourer Samuel Jones,
50, and his family. Wife Grace was 53, daughter Ann 29, and her siblings
Jeremiah 15, and Caradog 11. Walter Caradog, 1, the couple’s nephew, lived
there too. The children were all bilingual, and all the family were Llanrwst
born.
Farming Ty Gwyn at that time was 54 year old Thomas Williams,
wife Margaret, 53, and son Thomas, 13, who was bilingual. All born in Llanrwst.
Welsh speaking spinster Ellin Jones, 62, of Llanrwst lived at
Gafa Llwyd. (The name of the property had been corrupted from Cae Dafydd Llwyd.
This was the last time the house would be enumerated; in the 1901 census it was
not even marked as uninhabited.)
High Gate was the home of another spinster, Mary Roberts, 64.
She too came from Llanrwst and spoke Welsh.
High Gate also housed widow Elizabeth Owen, 67, and daughter
Mary, 29, a dressmaker. Both Welsh speaking from Llanrwst.
John Hughes, 37, a wheelwright, was head of the household at
Cyffdy. 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, with John Evans, a 62 year old farm labourer, and
domestic servant Jane Jones, 31, completing the household. All were born in
Llanrwst. Lynch and Jane only spoke Welsh, the others were bilingual.
Cyffdy Lodge housed Charles Williams, 44, of Eglwysbach, a
domestic servant, and wife Elizabeth Ann, 30, of Rhiwabon. Son David Edward,
21, a labourer, was born when the couple lived in Eglwysbach, but Robert, 13,
Mary Elizabeth, 11, and Catherine, 9, were Llanrwst born. All spoke Welsh.
Auctioneer and farmer Robert Jones, 70, of Llanrwst, lived at
Carneddau with Chirk born wife Mary, 65. Ann Jones of Bethesda, with no age
recorded against her, was their domestic servant. Only the couple were
bilingual.
Above: Carneddau Farm
The owner of the Smith Shop at Carneddau Smithy was Sarah Jones,
a 47 year old widow of Llanrwst. Daughter Margaret Ellin, 12, was a scholar.
Son David Hugh, 24, was a blacksmith, born in Eglwysbach as was his wife Mary,
21. All spoke Welsh.
Above: Carneddau Smithy
Gallt yr Efail had labourer John Rowlands, 72, of Rhydlydan, as
head of household. Wife Winifred, 60, was from Ysbyty Ifan. Mathew Roberts, 42,
a labourer of Llanrwst, boarded with them. All spoke Welsh.
John Evans, 29, farmed Fedw with wife Margaret, 27, and they had
an 8 month old son John Griffith. All were born in Llanrwst, as was domestic
servant Jane Parry, 13. Farm Servant Hugh Davies, 22, was from Llansantffraid
and was the only non-bilingual person in the household.
David Lewis, 32, farmed Rhiw. He and his children Ann, 2, and
Mary Jane, 9 months, were born in Llanrwst. His wife Jane, 29, came from
Ffestiniog. Worker John Jones, 16, was from Llysfaen. All spoke Welsh.
Penrallt is noted as children living there. Edward Willams, 16,
working on the farm with John, 13. and Elizabeth, 11. All Welsh speaking and
born in Llanrwst.
Tyn Twll had bachelor Owen Williams, 54, farming there with his
brother Robert, 61. Robert's wife Jane, 76, is the housekeeper but also noted
as a widow. The three were born in Llanrwst. Robert Williams, 25, of Llandudno
worked as a farm labourer with dairymaid Maggie E Davies, 21, coming from
Llwynefyd, Denbighshire.
Elin Roberts, 56, was head of household at Garth y Piga,
assisted by her nephew Robert, 24. Her niece Elizabeth, 25, was a dressmaker. Employed
were Margaret Ann Hughes, 21, a domestic servant and Owen Jones, 21, an
agricultural servant. All were born in Llanrwst and spoke Welsh.
Tyddyn Llywarch appears next on the census, farmed by Thomas
Jones, 60, and his family. The whole household spoke Welsh and were born in
Llanrwst. It consisted of his wife Grace, 51, and children William, 27, a
labourer, Catherine Ann, 24, Robert Edward, 20, Edward Owen, 15, Margaret
Janice, 12, a scholar, and Hannah, 10. 81 year old widower John Jones boarded there.
Edward Edwards, 55, of Cerrig y Drudion farmed Tyddyn Du. His
wife Jane, 56, was born in Dolgelley. The rest of the household were Llanrwst
born consisting of daughters Eunice Louise Jones, 26, Joanna Julie Edwards, 16,
Edith Hannah, 11, Selina Miriam, 9, and son Idwal Arthur, 7. William Parry, 19,
and William Roberts, 14, were recorded as domestic servants. All spoke Welsh.
Bilingual Griffith Thomas, 75, a widowed farmer of Pentrefoelas,
lived at Soflan. Son Morris, 49, was a farm labourer, together with widowed son
John, 40. Hugh Parry, 16, and Mary Ann Edwards, 17, also worked there. All were
Welsh speaking from Llanrwst.
John Blackwall, 54, of Llanrwst was head of household at Hendre
House, in1891 living on his own means. His wife Margaret Sarah (nee Moulsdale),
47, was from Anglesey and two locally born children were still at home,
Margaret Jane, 23, and scholar Hugh Eric, 15. Visiting them was Agnes Elliott
Campbell, 24, of Rutland Uppingham. The cook was June Griffith, 36, of
Caernarfon, housemaid Margaret Williams, 27, of Anglesey and stableboy / groom
Hugh Andrew, 15, of Llanrwst.
Hendre Wen housed Robert Roberts, 32, a farmer, daughter
Margaret Ellin, 34, and niece Mary Louisa, 14. Working there were servants
Elizabeth Roberts, 17, Samuel Roberts, 19 and Griffith Jones, 16. All were born
in Llanrwst. Samuel and Griffith could only speak Welsh; the others were bilingual.
Plastirion was farmed by John Evans, 55, and his wife Margaret,
57. Their household consisted of their children Ellin Ann, 27, Catherine, 22,
Edward, 16 and Robert, 14. Apart from Margaret, who was born in Llanrhos, the
family came from Llanrwst. Domestic Ann Jones, 18, was also from the town and
Thomas Owen, 23, agricultural labourer was born in Llansantffraid. All were
bilingual, apart from Thomas who spoke Welsh.
Farmer Evan Roberts, 42, was head of Siamber Wen. Living with
him were his sister Hannah Roberts, 52, niece Hannah Jane Roberts, 25, domestic
Margaret Ann Williams, 14 and agricultural labourer Robert Roberts, 17. All
came from Llanrwst and were bilingual.
Living on her own means at Bryn Derwen was widow Mary Griffiths,
52. She was bilingual, her children Arthur Ernest, 27, a barrister, Ethel
Louisa, 23, and Kate Maud, 22, spoke English. All were born in Llanrwst. Her
Liverpudlian sister Annetta Abnutt, 43, also lived on her own means and spoke
English. The employees were bilingual and consisted of housemaid Annie Jones,
20, of Dolwyddelen, waitress Jane Jones, 22, of Capel Garmon and cook Judith
Ellis, 23, also of Dolwyddelen.
Pwll Monyn housed farm labourer Owen Lloyd Roberts, 31, of
Maenan, his wife Margaret, 36, and daughter Elizabeth, 1, both born in
Llanrwst. The couple were bilingual.
Spinster Mary Roberts, 52, lived at Tyddyn Hen on her own. She
was a farmer from Llanrwst and Welsh speaking.
Nearby, William R Williams, 25, a farm servant, his wife Grace,
24, and son Owen Jones Williams, 1, lived at Tyddyn Hen Cottage. All were born
in Llanrwst and spoke Welsh.
Griffith Jones, 37, a farmer, together with his family, lived at
Brynrodyn. He, his older wife Ann, 49, and son William, 26, were born in
Dolwyddelen. Their other children Robert, 12, and Catherine Ann, 5, were born
in Llanrwst. All spoke Welsh.
Cae Berllan was the last entry made by enumerator Robert Roberts
in this section. 74 year old farmer Hugh Hughes, his wife Ann, 71, son Robert,
26, and nephew John Andrew, 7, lived there. All spoke Welsh and were Llanrwst
born.
William Hughes took on the enumerating responsibilities for the
Mathebrwd area of Llanrwst; His first port of call was Bethel, which had three
separate households.
Robert Roberts, 76, was head of one and had the fascinating job
of a road scavenger. He lived with his wife Jemima, 66, and both were Welsh
speaking and from Llanrwst.
The next household consisted only of Elizabeth Jones, 66, a
skirt seamstress also Welsh speaking and of Llanrwst.
Welsh speaking widowed pauper Elizabeth Owen, 77, from Gwytherin
made up the third household.
Owen Evans, 43 and married, farmed Sychbant with domestic
servant Catherine Jones, 33. He was Welsh speaking from Llanrwst, and she
English speaking from Penmachno.
Bwlchgwynt was a Scottish household. Duncan McRae, 47, was a
shepherd from Balliskin, Inverness, and his wife Jane, 38, came from Aberdeen.
Son James, 12, is recorded as a farm labourer from Blaerown, Inverness. He was
bilingual and his parents English speaking.
Widow Elizabeth Williams, 69, farmed Henfaes. She came from
Llanfihangel y Pennant, and her domestic servant Jane Jones, 15, was from
Llanrwst. Both spoke Welsh.
Tyddyn Ucha housed Hugh Jones, 80, a farmer, and his wife
Margaret, 78, both from Llanrwst. Their daughter Ann, 48, was born when the
couple lived in Llangernyw, but they had returned to Llanrwst by the time son
John, 44, was born. Samuel Thomas of Llanrwst, 15, was their farm servant. All
spoke Welsh.
Agricultural labourer Evan Roberts, 34, and wife Margaret, 30,
both of Llanrwst, lived at Ty Newydd. Margaret was bilingual.
George Tinsley, 48, of Sedgley, Staffordshire farmed Pennant.
Living with him as housekeeper was widow Catherine Bullock, 61 of Bilston,
where domestic servant Eleanor Beckett, 19, was also born. All spoke English.
Robert Thomas, 32, an agricultural labourer, lived at Pen y Bryn
with his wife Ellen, 28, and children William, 7, Griffith, 4 and Catherine J.,
1. Youngsters Griffith and Catherine could only speak Welsh, other members of
the family were bilingual.
Peter Owen, 51, and his sister Ellen, 61, farmed Pant Glas. Both
were Welsh speaking from Llanrwst.
Widow Mary Evans, 54, farmed Hafod Gilbert with her sons John,
28, William, 19, David, 17, and daughter Ann, 11. All were Welsh speaking from
Llanrwst, and William was bilingual. Ten years later William would be married
to his employer's cook, Eliza Eden of Pebworth, Gloucester, and working as a
gamekeeper.
Gorswen had John Davies, 65, of Llansantffraid farming the land
with sons Evan, 21, David E, 17, William R, 15 and daughter Ann, 10. All spoke
Welsh, and the children were born in Llanrwst. No wife is recorded at the home
on census day.
David Roberts, 36, a farmer, lived at Nant y Fedwen with wife
Ellen, 30, of Penmachno. Children Catherine A, 5, and Thomas, 3, were, like
their father, born in Llanrwst. All spoke Welsh.
Rhwng y Ddwyffordd was uninhabited.
Widower Lewis Jones, 67, farmed Pen y Ffrith with Catherine
Williams, 24, doing the domestic chores with Hugh Evans, 17, labouring. All
were born in Llanrwst and spoke Welsh. This Hugh is likely the son of Mary
Evans, Hafod Gilbert, twin of David Evans. He later married Ann of Pont y Clwt
and lived in Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt.
Maelogan Bach had single John Roberts, 34, a farm labourer, and
his widowed mother Mary, 69, living there. Both were born in Llanrwst. Their
visitor Maggie Jones, 19, was from Llangernyw. All spoke Welsh.
A horse carter, John Owens, 23, of Penmachno lived at Moelogan
Lodge with wife Catherine, 21, and 10 month old daughter Mary, both from
Llangernyw, and all Welsh speaking.
John James Bell, 39, a farm bailiff and shepherd from Eastham,
Cheshire, was head of household at Moelogan Lodge. His wife Mary Irving Bell,
38, came from Dalton, Dumfriesshire. Children Isabella B.D., 13, and Adam, 12,
were born when the couple lived at Maenan, with Andrew, 8, and Maggie, 5,
coming into the world in Llanrwst. John was bilingual and other family members
spoke English.
Widower David Williams, 49, farmed Rhos Farm and cared for his
children Jane, 7, and Willia, 5. He was assisted by other family members.
Sister Margaret, 41, kept house for him, and brother John, 36, worked on the
farm. All came from Llanrwst and spoke Welsh.
Road scavenger Jacob Davies, 35, of Llanrwst lived at the Old
Tollgate with wife Ann, 35, of Gwytherin. Son William, 15, worked as a farm
labourer, Robert Jones Davies, 5, and Annie, 7, were also born in Gwytherin,
but Elizabeth Mary, 4, came from Eglwysbach. All spoke Welsh.
Robert Jones, 48, had a full household at Henffrith. Wife
Winifred, 44, had given birth to William, 21, a farm servant, Ann, 18, a
domestic servant, John Humphrey, 15, Hannah, 11, Winifred Jane, 9, Margaret, 7,
Catherine, 4, and Lydia, 1. William’s widowed father in law David Jones, 71, a
farm labourer, completed the household. All were Welsh speaking and Llanrwst
born.
Widow Margaret Jones, 75, is described as a farmer and lived
alone at Tyn Y Ffordd. She spoke Welsh and was from Llanrwst.
John Davies, 35, farmed Henblas. He and his family were Welsh
speaking. He came from Llandecwyn, and his wife Gwen, 27, from Llandanwg Their
only son David P. 1 was born in Llanrwst. Elizabeth Jones, 16, of Llanrwst was
a domestic servant, Robert G Hughes of Beddgelert a farm labourer as was David
R Jones, 20, of Llanrwst, recorded as just 6 years old. All spoke Welsh.
Llwyn Richard was inhabited by widowed farmer Evan Lewis, 57.
Daughter Ellen, 22, kept house for him and grandson John Evans, 14, worked as a
farm labourer. All spoke Welsh and were from Llanrwst.
William Williams, 46, a farmer from Llanrwst and his wife
Elizabeth, 35, of Llangernyw, lived at Fedw, with their children Annie, 12,
William, 10, John, 8, and Robert D, 5. All were from Llanrwst and spoke Welsh,
including farm labourer Evan Lewis 28 of Llangernyw.
Living at Llwyn Goronwy in 1891 was widowed farmer David
Roberts, 80. His children Morris, 42, Isaac, 40, William G., 32, and Ellen, 36,
assisted on the farm, as did his grandchildren David, 19, and Margaret, 15. All
spoke Welsh, Ellen and Margaret were bilingual. All were born in Llanrwst.
Nearby Coed Llydan Bach was farmed by widow Mary Roberts, 52, of
Llangernyw. Daughter Jane E, 28, was born in Llanrwst. They kept boarders.
William Hooson Owen, 20, came from Llanarmon DC , and George C Ellis, 21, from
Pwllheli. They were both bank clerks. All were bilingual.
Widow Dorothy Jones, 79, was head of Tyn Twll. She and her son
Price, 40, were from Llanrwst. Farm servant Joseph Evans, 25, was born in
Harlech, and domestic servant Gwynydd Hughes, 17, from Llanddoget. All were
bilingual.
John Thomas, 72, a farm labourer and his wife Catherine, 66,
lived at Ysgoldy. Both spoke Welsh and were from Llanrwst.
Ysgoldy also housed William Williams a farm labourer, wife Ann,
59, and grandson William, 8. All Welsh speakers from Llanrwst.
Groom and coachman Joseph Bentley, 31, from Smithies, Shropshire
and his family lived at The Old Toll Gate. He and his wife Anne, 33, lived in
Dolgellau where she was born and it was the birthplaces of their first three
children John,12, Kate, 10, and Robert G., 8. The family moved to Holyhead
around 1884, where Nellie, 6, Joseph, 4, and Emily, 2, were born. Another move
to Llanrwst followed around 1890, where Annie, 11 months old, was born. All
were bilingual apart from the 4 youngest, who spoke Welsh.
We now reach Tafarn Y Fedw in our journey back in time.
William Roberts, 36, of Llanrhychwyn,a slate quarryman lived at
1 Tafarn Y Fedw with wife Sarah Ann, 32, of Liverpool, son William, 13 ,born
when the couple lived at Blaenau, working at one of the local quarries. He
moved to work in the Penrhyn quarries around 1879 where Robert E, 11, was born
in the village. Moving again to Llanrwst around 1882, where Sarah Ann gave
birth to John, 6, David H., 2, and Sarah Ellen, who was just 1 month old. The
mother and three eldest were bilingual, remainder spoke Welsh.
Next door at no. 2 lived stone mason Hugh Thomas, 31, wife
Ellen, 31, and children Mary, 2, and William F, 1. Ellen Davies, 14, was a
general servant at the home. Ellen Thomas managed both languages and was
Caernarfon born, the remaining members were from Llanrwsr and spoke Welsh.
Farm labourer Thomas I Roberts, 42, wife Mary, 41, and daughter
Sarah, 6, lived at No 3. All bilingual, from Llanrwst.
Living on her own means, and from Pentefoelas, Maria Evans, 62,
spinster, was resident at 4 Tafarn Y Fedw. She employed Maria Roberts, 16, of
Llanrwst as a domestic servant. Both were bilingual.
Widow Catherine Edwards, 64, lived at No 5, and she kept a shop.
Margaret Jane Jones, 16, a dressmaker lived with her. Both from Llanrwst, only
Maria was bilingual.
Another widow, Mary Thomas, 37, lived next door at No 6, with
her children Joseph, 17, a lead miner, and Margaret, 11. Her widowed mother
Ellen Jones, 83, lived with them – she spoke Welsh only, the others were
bilingual. All were from Llanrwst.
The final residents in the terrace at No 7 Tafarn Y Fedw were
David Jones, 26, a farm labourer from Betws, Abergele and his wife Anne, 23,
from Llangernyw – both bilingual.
Farming at Ty’n Y Caeau was widower William Jone,s 56. Daughter
Elizabeth, 23, kept house for him and her siblings Mary, 15, noted as an idiot
from childhood, Kate, 11, and Edith, 6. William and Mary were the only non
bilingual people in the home.
Corniech housed farmer Evan Jones, 60, a farmer from Betws,
Abergele, wife Ellen, 59, from Ysbyty Ifan both Welsh speaking. Their daughter
Laura, 28, was born in Llanelian and was a general servant, sons Richard, 24,
and Evan, 14, helped on the farm and were Llanrwst born and the three were
bilingual.
Elias Williams, 59, farmed Tai Can Dryll. He was born in
Llanfair TH. Wife Margaret, 54, was from Llanrwst. John T Roberts, 14, is
recorded as son of wife, and Mary Williams, 14, daughter of head of household.
She was a domestic servant. Children were Llanrwst born and bilingual. Adults
spoke Welsh.
Rhydlechior housed farm labourer John Ellis, 32, wife Ellen, 26,
and children Owen, 4, Robert, 2, and Elizabeth, 9 months. Ellen came from
Llangernyw, other members from Llanrwst. All spoke Welsh.
Bachelor David Evans, 60, lived at Ty’n Ffordd Bach. He worked
as a road labourer, breaking stones. From Llanrwst, he spoke Welsh.
The Chapel is the next recorded building.
David Williams, 36, a farm labourer from Ysbyty Ifan lived at
Chapel House with Gwytherin born wife, Elizabeth, 29. Their children were all
born in Llanrwst; David Robert, 7, Margaret Anne, 5 and Elizabeth Ellen, 3.
Parents were bilingual, children Welsh only.
John Owen, 46, of Bangor, wife Ellen, 44, of Betws y Coed, and
daughter Ellen Ann, 10, born in Llanrwst lived at No 1 Rhydloyw. All were
bilingual.
At No. 2 lived David Williams, 48, a farm labourer of Gwytherin,
wife Elizabeth, 54, born in Llanrwst as were their children Ellen, 13,
Elizabeth Ann, 10, Margaret Jane, 8 and Catherine Ellen, 1. All were bilingual
apart from mother Elizabeth and young Catherine who spoke Welsh.
Bryn Syllty had as its occupants. Farmer William Owen, 56, a
farmer, nephew John Owen, 35, both of Bangor, nieces Anne Bridge Jones, 19, a
visitor and Elizabeth Owen, 13, of Llanrwst. David Roberts, 18, worked on the
farm, also from Llanrwst. All were bilingual.
Cae’r Ceiliog was farmed by widower David Jones, 57. His niece
Mary Jones, 37, kept house for him and his children Edith May, 8, and William
Bridge Jones, 11, months. All bilingual from Llanrwst. Was his daughter Anne
the visitor at Bryn Syllty?
Coed y Brain housed farmer Owen Owens, 54, from Bangor. His wife
Jane, 58, and children were all born in Llanrwst; Price, 19, farm labourer,
Samuel, 9, and Jane Anne, 4. All bilingual apart from Jane Anne, and all from
Llanrwst.
Aaron Jones, 56, farmed Garth yr Hwylbren with wife Jane, 55,
both Welsh speaking. Daughters, general servant Catherine Jones, 20, and
Elizabeth Jones, 16, a dressmaker were bilingual. Widower John Jones, 66, was a
Welsh speaking farm labourer. All from Llanrwst.
Poeth Foel had as its occupants Robert Hughes, 29, a farmer from
Llanrwst, wife Elizabeth, 29, from Gwytherin, children, all Llanrwst born,
David, 7, John, 6, and Elizabeth, 2. His cousin Robert Hughes, 56, was from
Eglwysfach. All were bilingual apart from young Elizabeth and Robert who
conversed in Welsh.
Spinster Mary Roberts, 78, from Cerrigydrudion lived at 1
Gwernrhisgl. She spoke Welsh.
2 Gwernrhisgl housed widower James Roberts, 78, from Trewydr,
living on his own means. He spoke Welsh.
Thomas B Griffith, 30, born in Llanrwst and a solicitor lived at
Bryndyffryn with his Ruthin born wife Emma, 27. She could only speak English,
the rest of the household were bilingual. They had a 2 year old daughter Emma
Nesta of Llanrwst.
Catherine Roberts, 22, of Llanddoget was their cook, Lizzie
Jones, 15, of Alderbury, Shropshire their waitress, and Thomas Sparce, 31, a
farm coachman from Oswestry.
Coed Lydan Isa was the home of farmer Michael Jones, 44, of
Llanrwst, his wife Catherine, 33, of Dolwyddelen and son Johnny, 4, of
Llanrwst. Michael’s brother John Jones, 56, also a farmer, lived with them and
was from Llanrwst. William Owen, 35, a slate quarryman from Dolwyddelen and
Anne Williams, 13, a domestic servant from Llanrwst, also lived there. Michael,
John and Anne were bilingual.
David Jones, 27, a carter from Betws, Abergele lived at Pont y
Clwt with wife Anne 42 and daughter Anne 2 both of Llanrwst. The couple were
bilingual.
The family living at Gwyllt Isa were away from home at the time
of the census.
The final entry for the 1891 census of Melin y Coed was for
Garth y Foel, where John Roberts, 38, farmed. He and his wife Elizabeth, 48,
and children William, 16, a farm labourer, Elizabeth, 13, Hannah, 11, and
James, 5, were all from Llanrwst. Only John and James were not bilingual.
Ken Davies
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