Farms in the GCG/Cwmgors area

Census extracts and historical snippets

(see also Farms in the parish generally)

The concept of this section is to bring  snippets of historical data concerning some of the older local farms together with the names of the people who were living in them in the 19th century.
The entries for the selected farms contain details of census entries from different sources, one of the principal ones being a substantial database compiled by Margaret Jones of  Australia. Anyone researching their ancestors are strongly advised to verify all census data from original sources for themselves since this one was not compiled with total accuracy of every detail in mind. The absence of a census entry for a particular  property/year doesn't mean that there wasn't one.

• Beili-glas
• Blaennanthir
• Cwmbach
• Cwmnanthopkin
• Llwynhen
• Llwynyrhidiau
• Nantygaseg
• Nantymelyn
• Pencaedu
• Wernbwll/Pantydderwen

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cwmnanthopkin

 

This farm is mentioned in official records as early as 1610, Lln ap Jevan [tenant],  annual rent 5 1/2d [see 'Farms in the area'].
It stands about a third of a mile on the slopes of Mynydd Uchaf behind/above the Old Star Inn on the southern edge of Cwmgors village.

"In 1805 an Act was passed covering the maintenance of roads in Glamorgan, that part of the Act dealing with this area has references to " a road....from Pontrhyd-y-fro ......thence by Llwynha [Llwynhen] farm.....over Wain Kaegurwen to the River Amman " and "a road from Wain Kaegurwen to the confines of the county of Carmarthen near Kaegurwen Mill ." and " so much of the road leading from Pontrhyd y fro and thence by Pwll y Wrach farm to or near the Gate placed across said road adjoining the Common of Kaegurwen."
These were turnpike roads , there was a turnpike house near the Old Star but in 1856 it was moved to GCG [ where Gate shop used to be] because people avoided paying the tolls by walking up over Cwmnanthopkin farm and down the Nantygaseg track.  [ The History of Pontardawe and District by John Henry Davies]"

Census entries;

Surname christian name age occupation acres[a]

1841 Ucha

• Evans, David 30
• Hannah  28
• Watkin  10m
• Hannah  14 (female servant)

1841 Isha

• Jones Daniel 80
• Mary 66
• Margaret 18

Separate household/building

• Evans David 70
• Mary 70

1851

• Thomas, David 30 Farmer 40 a
• Jane 30
• Sarah 5
• Williams, John 16 servant
• Williams, Hannah 18 servant

1861

• Morgan, David 31 farmer 75 a
• Anne 27
• Samuel 4
• Jones, Margaret 18 servant

1871

• Jones, John 36 Farmer 80 a
• Mary 27
• Rees, Esther servant

1881

• Jones, Mary 37 farmer 80 a
• Daniels, Hannah labourer
• Morgan, Catherine servant

1891

• Daniels, John 33 Farmer
• Jane 26
• Mary 5
• Muriel 3
• Maggie 2
• Phillips, Ann
• Assby, William

Footnotes;

• My Davies cousin, present owner of this working farm, says his mother's family owned Cwmnanthopkin from about 1896 onwards. Her father, James Davies, was originally a smith at Pencefnyfordd, Myrthyr Cynog, he is reputed to have brought 140 sheep with him and also set up a smithy at Cwmnanthopkin. The landlord then was David Morgan of Llwynhen.
• In modern times there is a separate cottage below the main Cwmnanthopkin farm building and on the 1861 census my gg grandfather, John Hicks, is shown at Tynydderwen [next entry to Cwmanthopkin on census];
  <John Hicks, 56, Anne 60, Gwenllian 21, Mary 9 [also Margaret Jones 66].
  It's situation is described in an article  on John Hicks in 'Old Characters of Gellinudd' by John Morgan.
  My cousin confirms that there is a field off the main track to Cwmnanthopkin farm which his father referred to as 'John Hicks's field', but whether the present cottage below the farm was once Tynydderwen he isn' t sure. I have copies of the 1841 Tithe map and Ist Ed OS map, Tynydderwen is not named  as such on either but an 'un-named' house and garden shown on the field schedule of Cwmnanthopkin tithes, roughly where the lower cottage is now.

 

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Pencaedu farm

 

Correctly spelled Pen-cae-du, a building still stands there today, sited just beyond the mountain gate above Hen Garmel chapel/cemetery on the flanks of Mynydd Uchaf/Penllerfedwen, facing the Black Mountain across the valley.
This farm/land may well be the one mentioned in official records as early as 1610, [see also ' Farms in the area'] and referred to as  " Tir y Kae dy, 11 1/2d [annual rent]"

The 1838 Tithe schedule index shows [Hopkins being the tenant and Leach the landlord] ;
Hopkin Hopkins, Henry Leach, Pencaedu, 60
It was 75 acres in 1851 but only 40 acres in 1871/81.

"The main track through the region in the early days, and that one, in winter, was nothing except muddy ruts between two ditches, was the way from Cwmllynfell passed Wernbwll and Pencaedu, Penybryniau and Llwynhen, and across to Nantymelyn, and towards Llangyfelach. You can see traces of this old track in places today. The attraction from these parts was to Llangyfelach in those days, and there was no end to talk about Llangyfelach fair the length of the land in those days. There were two other routes in the area, namely Heol Hir and Heol Fyr; the one joining Waun common and Penlle'rfedwen mountain past Old Carmel, and the other going past Beili-glas Uchaf to the mountain." [Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942]

Census entries

1841 census at Pencaedu, Hopkin H.W [male], 50, farmer[all same cnty] ; Hopkin, Mary , 40 ; Hopkin, Sarah, 15 ; Hopkin, W [male], 9 . Separate dwelling ; Jones, Jenet, 20, female servant ; Anthony, David, 20, ag labourer [not same cnty].

1851 census at PENCAEDY ;  MORGANS MORGAN HD M 23 FARMER 75 AC. LLANGUICKE ; MORGANS MAGDALEN WI M 23 - LLANGUICKE ; MORGANS MARY DA U 2 -LLANGUICKE ; MORGANS JUAN DA U 5M -LLANGUICKE; BOWEN HANNAH SV U 19 HOUSE SERVANT,LLANGYFELACH

1861 census at Pencaedu, David Rees aged 29, wife Janet 22, dau Dinah 10 mnths, Ann Davies, 20 servant.

1871 census at Pencaedu Farm, David Rees, 39, farmer of 40 acres,[GLA],wife ANN,age 19,[Carms],children shown ; Diana 10, Evan 7,Anne 6, Llewelyn 5

1881 census at Pencaedu farm, David Rees, Cadoxton, 51, farmer 40 a, wife Ann 27,[Llanddeusant],chldrn now Llewelyn 15, coalminer,Catherine 9, scholar, Mary 6, sch, M'Ann 4,sch, Elizabeth 1.

1891 census at Pencaedu, David Rees, 63, farmer,[Cadoxton], Ann 39, Gwen 9, Sarah 7, Davy 4, Tom 2.

1901 census at Pencaedu,;

• Ann Rees hd w 45 carmarthen welsh
• Sarah Rees da s 16 llanguicke welsh
• David Rees so s 14 farmer's son llanguicke welsh
• Tom Rees so 11 llanguicke welsh
• Mary Rees da 8 llanguicke welsh

Footnotes ;

• Both my g grandfather, Dafydd Rees, and Pencaedu are mentioned in this passage from Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen ;
  "Also about this time [1882 ?] , there were large crowds at prayer meetings at houses in the locality. It was considered something shameful if a family disregarded an invitation to have a prayer church at their home from time to time. There were even some who were not members who considered it their duty to invite the prayer church to their houses. There was a special crowd at Pencaedu, where the man of the house, Dafydd Rees, had been bedridden for many years with arthritis. On the night of the prayer meeting , every room in the house was full, and a crowd outside the house too. At that time Gwallter Ddu was the minister at Rhydyfro and the Gwrhyd, and as Pencaedu was on the mountain, in the middle between Carmel and Gwrhyd chapel, the old brother longed to hear the two ministers. One night the two heroes came to the prayer meeting at Pencaedu, and the two preached with rare mood and conviction, with old Dafydd Rees in his glory on his bed."
• Dafydd Rees died at Pencaedu in 1901 and is buried at Capel Gwrhyd .

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Wernbwll/Pantydderwen

Wernbwll  is mentioned in the records of the Barons Court for the Manor of Kaegurwen held in 1610 when it is recorded that it was occupied by Rees ap Richard and Catherine John, widow, at the rent of 5 1/2d a year.[ The History of Pontardawe by John Henry Davies.]

It is sited just east of Pencaedu, see above, on the slopes of Penllerfedwen.

"The main track through the region in the early days, and that one, in winter, was nothing except muddy ruts between two ditches, was the way from Cwmllynfell passed Wernbwll and Pencaedu, Penybryniau and Llwynhen, and across to Nantymelyn, and towards Llangyfelach. You can see traces of this old track in places today. The attraction from these parts was to Llangyfelach in those days, and there was no end to talk about Llangyfelach fair the length of the land in those days. There were two other routes in the area, namely Heol Hir and Heol Fyr; the one joining Waun common and Penlle'rfedwen mountain past Old Carmel, and the other going past Beili-glas Uchaf to the mountain."  [Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942]

According to Llangiwg Tithe records a William Gibbs held Wernbwll in 1781/82, he had 7 cows and 6 calves.

The 1838 Tithe schedule index show, [Jones & Harries being the landlords].
<William MICHAEL, David JONES & David HARRIES, Wernbwll, 51
The names of parcels of land shown for Wernbwll in the same 1838 schedule are;
Rough Piece, Pwll Gwtta, Croft Cae Isaf, Crofft Fach, Cae Main, Cae Isha, Waun Wen, Cae Garrw, Coedcae, Waun Fawr, Cae Uchllawty, Homestead, Cae Dan Ty.

Wernbwll

Census entries;

1841 census Wernbwll, William Michael, farmer, age 36[not born same county, others are], wife Hanah 36, Ann 4, Hanah 2. Also, female servant called Ann Rees aged 20 born Gla.

1851 census Wernbwll,  Rees, Philip, widower, 56, farmer/collier[Llandeilo]; Rees, Thomas, son, 21, farmer/collier[Llangiwg]; Rees, John, son, 16, farmer [Llangiwg] ; Rees, Morgan, son, 13, farmer [Llangiwg] ; Rees, Elizabeth, daughter, 17, farmer [Llangiwg]

1861 census Wernbwll, Thomas, William, 26, coalminer [all Llanguick]; Thomas, Anne, wife, 23 ; Thomas, Owen , son, 4? months.

1871 census Wernbwll Farm, Evan Thomas, 29, farmer & collier [all Glamorgan] ; Gwenllian Thomas, wife, 29 ; Angharad Thomas, dau, 7 ; Elizabeth Thomas, dau, 5 ; Mary Thomas, dau, 2 ; John Thomas, son, 6 mnths.

1881 census Wernbwll, William DAVIES 32 Llanarthney, Coal Miner ; Hannah DAVIES 31 Llanguicke, Wife ; John DAVIES 8 Llanguicke, Son, Scholar;  Eleanor DAVIES 6 Llanguicke, Daur, Scholar ; Thomas DAVIES 4 Llanguicke,: Son, Scholar;  Infant DAVIES 1 day, Female Llanguicke.

1891 census Wernbwll, Rees Williams, 43?, coal miner [Radnorshire-all spoke Welsh] ; Eleanor Williams, wife, 43?[all rest Llanguick]; Mary Williams, dau, 15; Morgan Williams, son, 6, scholar.

1901 census Wernbwll

• Rees Williams hd m 51 coal hewer worker crickhowell both languages
• Eleanor wi m 53 llanguicke welsh
• Mary da s 25 llanguicke welsh
• Morgan so s 16 carpenter worker llanguicke both languages
• Enoch gs 6 llanguicke welsh

Pantydderwen

Census entries;

1851 census Pantydderwen William Michael, widower, 44, miner[Cmn Bettws], Ann, dau, age 14[Gla Llangiwg], Dianah, dau,age 7 [Gla Llangiwg]

1861 census Pantydderwen, William Michael, widower, aged 52, collier, [Llangadock], dau Dinah 18.
[Richard Hicks married Dinah Michael in 1862.]

1871 census Pantydderwen Richard Hicks 32, coalminer, wife Diana 27, William 8, John 4, Hannah 2 [plus William Michael 63]

1881  census Pantydderwen Richard Hicks 45, coalminer, Dinah 38,William 18, coalminer, John 14, coalminer, Hannah 11,scholar, Daniel 9, sch, Morgan 6, sch, Benjamin 4, [plus William Michael 74]

1891 census Pantydderwen, Richard Hicks 55, widower, coalminer[all spoke Welsh] ; John Hicks 23,coalminer; Hannah Hicks 21, house keeper; Daniel Hicks 19, colliery clerk; Morgan Hicks15,coalminer; Benjamin 14?, coalminer; Margaret Ann 8,scholar.

1901 census Pantydderwen; Richard Hicks hd w 63 coal hewer worker llanguicke both languages; Margaret da s 19 llanguicke both languages

Footnotes;

• WILLIAM TOMOS CHRISTMAS. Here is one of the original old characters of this neighbourhood. He was born in 1795 in Wernbwll Farmhouse. When he was ten years old he moved with his parents to Blaennanthir, where he spent a life of eighty-eight years [see Blaennanthir].
• Pantydderwen was a smallholding on the eastern edge of Wernbwll land, the exact circumstances of William Michael moving from Wernbwll are not known but  it does follow the deaths of his daughter Hannah in 1847 aged 9 and his wife in 1848, both at Wernbwll. William himself died in 1882, they are all buried at the Old Cemetery, Cwmllynfell.
• Neither Wernbwll or Pantydderwen are still standing today [2001]

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Nantygaseg

Nantygaseg farm is presuamably  the one mentioned in official records as early as 1610, [see also ' Farms  in the area'] and referred to as  " Tir nant y gaseg,  John Rees ap John [tenant], 5 1/2d [annual rent]". It was certainly mentioned in Cromwell's Survey of 1650, "Nant y gasseg, 1/2d [rent]". The name obviously comes from the stream that it sits along side on the lower slopes of the northern end of Mynydd y Garth, just off the lane from the main road up to Cwrt y Bariwns.

There are in fact several properties which have borne the name over the C19 and these are shown below with their census descriptions.

Census entries ;

Nant-y-gaseg

1861

• PORTER William 31
• PORTER Susan 26
• PORTER John 4
• PORTER James 3
• PORTER Agnes 1
• EVANS Mary 26
• LEWIS Catherine 16
• CHICK James 20

1871

• WILLIAMS John 51
• WILLIAMS Margaret 63
• JAMES John 2
• HOPKINS Mary 19
• PRICHARD Margaret 14
• DAVIES John 22

Nant-y-gaseg

1841

• REES Hugh 75
• REES Ann 55
• REES Margaret 30
• REES Rees 25
• REES John 20
• REES Thomas 20
• REES Hannah 15
• REES Catharine 15
• GRIFFITH John 93

1851

• JONES Daniel 41
• JONES Anne 36
• JONES Mary 14
• JONES David 13
• JONES Hugh 10
• JONES Elizabeth 8
• JONES Anne 5

1861

• DAVIES Thomas 44
• DAVIES Rachel 48
• DAVIES John 16
• DAVIES Margaret 13
• DAVIES Thomas 14

1871

• DAVIES Thomas 52
• DAVIES Rachel 56
• JONES Mary 19

1881

• DAVIES Thomas 80
• DAVIES Daniel 29
• DAVIES Thomas 21
• JACOB Thomas 43
• GRIFFITHS Sarrah 25
• MEYRICK Rosana 18

1891

• DAVIES Daniel 43
• DAVIES Mary J 30
• DAVIES Mary Ann 8
• DAVIES Rebecca 6
• DAVIES Elizabeth 4
• DAVIES Esther 2
• JENKINS Jane 21
• ? David 20
• DAVIES Thomas 90

Nant-y-gaseg cottage

1851

• DAVIES Thomas 37
• DAVIES Rachel 37
• DAVIES John 6
• DAVIES Margaret 4
• DAVIES David H 30
• LEWIS David 17
• REES Catherine 26

1861

• WILLIAMS William 25
• WILLIAMS Mary 24
• WILLIAMS John 2
• WILLIAMS James 2m
• MELON Isabella 23

1891

• DAVIES John 46
• DAVIES Margaret 51
• DAVIES Thomas 11
• DAVIES Rees 7

And

1891

• MILLER Laura 40

Nant-y-gaseg Gar?

1881

• GRIFFITHS Mary 78
• GRIFFITHS Elizabeth 62

Nant-y-gaseg isaf No 1 [ Shown as a farm of 55 acres in 1851]

1841 * See Footnote 3 below

• BEVAN Evan 45
• BEVAN Ann 35
• BEVAN Llewelyn 15
• BEVAN Ann 10
• BEVAN Roger 9
• BEVAN Rachel 7
• BEVAN Sarah 1

1851

• BEVAN Evan 56
• BEVAN Mary 50
• BEVAN Roger 17
• BEVAN Rachel 15
• BEVAN Sarah 11

1871

• DAVIES John 26
• DAVIES Mary 25
• DAVIES George William 3
• DAVIES Jonah 9m
• JONES William 14
• MORGAN Rees 40
• DAVIES Llewelyn 35

Nant-y-gaseg isaf No 2

1841

• WILLIAMS John 25
• WILLIAMS Thomas 20
• WILLIAMS Ann 50
• REES Gwenllian 15
• JONES Hanah 7
• JONES Philip 1

1861

• BERRY William 43
• BERRY Anne 28
• BERRY William Henery 5
• BERRY Mary Ann 3

1881

• uninhabited

Footnotes;

• 1. THOMAS DAVIES THE BLACKSMITH, CWMGORS. "Thomas Davies was one of the descendants of Hengist, but he spent many years in Cwmgors, near Nantygaseg Farm." [ See Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840
• 2. These were turnpike roads , there was a turnpike house near the Old Star but in 1856 it was moved to GCG [ where Gate shop used to be] because people avoided paying the tolls by walking up over Cwmnanthopkin farm and down the Nantygaseg track.  [ The History of Pontardawe and District by John Henry Davies]
• 3. Nant-y-gaseg isaf No. 1 - Family members from the 1841 census entry
  • Evan Bevan - was one of the sons of Llewelyn Bevan of Nant-y-gaseg and was willed the tenement in his father's will .  He was born on 20th January 1795 and married his first wife, Ann on 28th April 1821.  He died on 30th September 1857 and is buried at Baran Chapel with Ann and his 2 unmarried sons.
  • Ann Bevan - Evan's first wife, was the eldest daughter of Rev. Roger Howell - the founding minister of Baran chapel.  She died, aged 42 in 1845 and is buried at Baran chapel graveyard with Evan and their 2 sons, Llewelyn and Roger.
  • Llewelyn Bevan - considered to be "insane" from 1855 onwards.  The cause of his insanity was unknown, but he was admitted to Vernon House Asylum, Briton Ferry in early 1862.  From there, he was transferred to the newly built Glamorgan County Asylum at Angelton, Bridgend on 4th November 1864.  He was only the 3rd person to be admitted to the new asylum and died there on 12th Oct. 1903. Prior to his admission to Vernon House, Llewelyn had been "farmed out" (a Welsh form of community care for the mentally ill) to family members who could provide board and suitable employment.  In 1851 he was enumerated with his paternal 1st cousin, Llewelyn Bevan at the latter's farm at Trecastle, Llandilofawr.  This cousin later became the proprietor of the woollen factory at Rhyndwyclydach.  In 1861 he was enumerated with his maternal uncle, John Howell at Nantmoel Uchaf farm, Rhyndwyclydach.
  • Ann Bevan - married the Rev. John Davies,  minister of Cwmamman Independent Chapel, Bettws.  She was his 2nd wife.  They had 7 children and lived at Tynycoed Cottage and later, Grove Cottage, Bettws.  Ann was still alive in census of 1901.
  • Roger Bevan - was struck deaf and dumb as a result of contracting scarlet fever at the age of 7.  After his parents died he spent his working life in service at various farms and later worked with his brother-in-law, Morgan Walters.  Enumerated in 1901 with elder sister, Ann at Grove Cottage, Bettws.  Died on 16th January 1907 and is buried with his parents at Baran chapel.
  • Rachel Bevan - married Morgan Walter(s), a carpenter/builder of Melingwm, Llangyfelach.  Raised 8 children at Cwmnanthir, (near Blaenanthir) - the eldest of whom, Evan, emigrated for a period to Scranton, Pennsylvania, before returning to live in Cwmgors.  Rachel died on 5th May 1891 and is buried at Baran Chapel with her husband.
  • Sarah Bevan - married David Williams, a farmer of Cwmgarnant, Bettws.  She was his 2nd wife.  David later became a collier and moved the family from Bettws to Mynyddgarnllwyd at Clase, Llangyfelach.  They had 7 children, but by 1881 Sarah was a widow.  She eventually moved to Cwmbwrla, Swansea

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001 & Rina Callingham re Nantygaseg No 1., 27 Feb 2006]

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Beili-glas

 

This farm stands close to Hen Garmel .

Census entries;

Baily Glas Cottage

1841

• JONES Gwenllian 80
• THOMAS Catharine 25
• THOMAS John 20

1851

• WILKINS Thomas 43
• WILKINS Mary 48
• WILKINS William 20
• WILKINS Margaret 17
• WILKINS Benjamin 15
• WILKINS Evan 13
• WILKINS David 10 [Married Ann Hicks in 1868, emigrated to Pennsylvania, returned to Wales and  died in 1881 when a stone fell on him at Cwmnantllwyd mine, Cilybebyll].
• WILKINS Hanah 7

Baily Glas isaf

1851

• JONES Isaac 40
• JONES Jenet 47
• JONES Ann 9
• JONES John 6
• THOMAS Abraham 83
• PHILLIPS Ann 26

1861

• JONES Isaac 50
• JONES Jennet 55
• JONES Anne 19
• JONES John 16

1871

• JONES Isaac 60
• JONES Jennet 67
• JONES Anne 28
• JONES John 26
• THOMAS Hannah 16

1881

• JONES Isaac 70
• JONES John 36
• JONES Elizabeth 26
• DAVIES Jennet 17

1891

• JONES John 46
• JONES Elizabeth 36
• JONES Isaac 7
• JONES Morgan 4
• JONES Jenet 1
• DAVIES Jennet 25

Baily Glas uchaf

1851

• WILLIAMS William 44
• WILLIAMS Elenor 40
• WILLIAMS William 9
• WILLIAMS David 7
• WILLIAMS John 5
• WILLIAMS Elenor 3
• WILLIAMS Hanah 2

1861

• WILLIAMS William 54
• WILLIAMS Elinor 50
• WILLIAMS William 19
• WILLIAMS David 17
• WILLIAMS John 15
• WILLIAMS Elinor 13
• WILLIAMS Hannah 11

1871

• WILLIAMS William 64
• WILLIAMS Elenor 66
• WILLIAMS William 29
• WILLIAMS Hannah 22
• WILLIAMS Owen 5

1881

• WILLIAMS John 36
• WILLIAMS Ann 25
• WILLIAMS William 4
• WILLIAMS Ann 2
• WILLIAMS Margaret 1
• THOMAS Rachel 15

1891

• WILLIAMS John 45
• WILLIAMS Ann 45
• WILLIAMS William 14
• WILLIAMS David 13
• WILLIAMS Margaret 13
• WILLIAMS Thomas 9
• WILLIAMS Eleanor 4

Footnotes ;

Extracts from Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen

• "There were two other routes in the area, namely Heol Hir and Heol Fyr; the one joining Waun common and Penlle'rfedwen mountain past Old Carmel, and the other going past Beili-glas Uchaf to the mountain.
• "The side of the lane between the Old Carmel and Beiliglas Uchaf was full of stalls selling fruits and similar things, with people doing good business between services."
• ".......they started to make a railway from the Old Pit down to Cwmtawe in order to discharge the coal onto boats on the canal, and then to be carried to Swansea to reach the ships. It is easy to see the remains of this old way today coming past Pontbaraceirch, Cwmbach and Beiliglas to Cwmgors."
• "......The lecturer was also preaching over the Sunday , and stayed in Beiliglas..They paid him a pound for his service on the Sunday, and he opined that it wasn't enough, and he refused it, ...and left it behind him in Beiliglas."
• "The deacons who officiated here [Carmel] at the first communion were Daniel Evans, Gwrhyd Isaf, son of Mr W Evans, formerly minister at Cwmllynfell; and his brother in law Thomas David, Cwmgors. Since forming the church until the present, the following persons have served as deacons here; Owen Jones, Cwrt-y-Bariwns; Daniel Evans,Gwrhyd Isaf; William Evans, Llwynrhydie; Isaac Jones, Beiliglas; Daniel Jenkins y Saer; David James and Benjamin Evans."

Extracts from Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840

• "....should have noted that Cwmbach had been given by his father, Shon Dafydd Harri, to Jacki Shon, who owned it until he sold it to the late Isaac Jones, Bailyglas-isaf."
• ISAAC JONES, BAILYGLAS ISAF. "After being united in holy matrimony with Shwned Bailyglas, he spent his life as a farmer in Bailyglas Farm."

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Cwmbach

 

This farm stands close to Hen Garmel .

Census entries;

1841

• HARRIS JOHN 45 FARMER NO
• HARRIS GWENLLIAN 36 - YES
• HARRIS DAVID 10 - YES
• HARRIS ANN 5 - YES
• HARRIS DANIEL 2 - YES
• WILKINS MARGARET 20 FEMALE SERVANT NO

1851

• HARRIS John 60
• HARRIS Gwenllian 48
• HARRIS David 20
• HARRIS Ann 14
• HARRIS Daniel 11

1861

• HARRIES John 70
• HARRIES Gwenllian 58
• HARRIES Anne 24

1881

• EVANS John R 54
• EVANS Elizabeth 56
• EVANS Rees 26
• EVANS Ann 22
• EVANS John 20
• EVANS William 16
• EVANS Lot 14
• EVANS Margaret 1

1891

• EVANS John 64. Retired coal miner
• EVANS Elizabeth 67
• EVANS Ann 32
• EVANS William 26
• EVANS Margaret 11

Footnotes ;

These extracts are from Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen   ;

• 1762, evidence that a number of small holders of the area were ardent dissenters by 1762, they built a school house on the land of Cwmbach farm , GCG as a place to preach in. That was the start of Carmel chapel , but a church was not formed in the school house for several years.......

The following extracts are from Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840   ;

• " JOHN HARRIS (SHON HARRI), NANTRICKET; Shon Harri was a farmer by occupation, who lived in Nantricket farmhouse. He had inherited the farm, which had been handed down from the distant past, from John to John. Before the end of his life, he gave his son, Daniel, a fifty year lease on Nantricket farmhouse. He had nine children, six sons and three daughters. His firstborn was Henry, the second John, the late John Harris ( old Shon Cwmbach) ........Shon was an enterprising man. He bought a number of the farmhouses of this area, including, amongst others, Gorsledan, Bryncam etc. for comparatively small sums of money, which, today, are worth thousands of pounds. From Noah Jones, his wife's brother, he inherited Cwmbach. At that time there was no dwelling-place on the land of Cwmbach, but animals were accommodated there which they used to walk from Nantricket to feed. This was the situation until the marriage of his son, John (Jacki Shon Cwmbach)."
• " JOHN HARRIS, JUNIOR (JACKI SHON); John Harris was a son to the late Shon Dafydd Harri. He got the name Jacki Shon because he was the son of the late Shon Dafydd Harri, Nantricket. On the occasion of his marriage a farmhouse was built for him at Cwmbach and this is where his world began. He was a carpenter by trade and he was involved in the building of old Carmel............Shon Dafydd Harri (John David Harris) was an exceptionally generous man. Out of the goodness of his heart he gave a piece of Cwmbach's land to the Independents to build a chapel and a graveyard for a peppercorn annual rent, if it was asked for.........."
• "....should have noted that Cwmbach had been given by his father, Shon Dafydd Harri, to Jacki Shon, who owned it until he sold it to the late Isaac Jones, Bailyglas-isaf."

Here are details from  Land Tax Assessments relating to Cwmbach (and Pwllywrach)

See also Local wills  (Noah Jones)

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Llwynhen

 

Llwyn-hen farm is on the lower slopes of Mynydd Uchaf, behind where the present Cwmgors school is now, south of the Uplands.

"The main track through the region in the early days, and that one, in winter, was nothing except muddy ruts between two ditches, was the way from Cwmllynfell passed Wernbwll and Pencaedu, Penybryniau and Llwynhen, and across to Nantymelyn, and towards Llangyfelach. You can see traces of this old track in places today. The attraction from these parts was to Llangyfelach in those days, and there was no end to talk about Llangyfelach fair the length of the land in those days. There were two other routes in the area, namely Heol Hir and Heol Fyr; the one joining Waun common and Penlle'rfedwen mountain past Old Carmel, and the other going past Beili-glas Uchaf to the mountain."  [Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942]

Census entries;

Llwyn-hen

1841

• JONES David 49
• JONES Jane 50
• JONES Mary 24
• JONES William 22
• JONES Gwenllian 19
• JONES Rees 14
• JONES Sarah 12
• JONES Jane 9
• JONES Morgan 5
• DAVIES Davies 21
• JONES George 17
• JONES Hanah 18

1851

• JONES David 59
• JONES Jane 61
• ROBERTS Sarah 23
• JONES Jane 20
• JONES Morgan 16
• LEWIS Ann 22
• DAVIES Thomas 20
• BEAVAN Catherine 11
• ROBERTS William 20

1861

• JONES David 69
• JONES Jane 72
• JONES Morgan 26
• PHILLIP Griffith 21
• THOMAS John 17
• MOSES Mary 24
• MICHAEL Sarah 17

1871

• JONES David 79
• JONES Jane 82
• JONES Morgan 35
• NICHOLAS Thomas 20
• MORGAN Jane 19
• EVANS Gwenllian 19
• WILLIAMS Anne 12

1881

• JONES Morgan 45
• JONES Gwenllian 32
• LEWIS Thomas 29
• LEWIS David 25
• HOWELLS Ann 18

Llwyn-hen 2

1861

• JONES Jonah 56
• JONES Sarah 33
• DANIEL Daniel 7
• JONES Jane 4
• WILLIAMS Elizabeth 18

1891

• MORGAN David 61
• MORGAN Ann 58
• MORGAN Samuel 35
• MORGAN Joan 26
• MORGAN Rachel 23
• MORGAN Richard 20
• MORGAN Margaret 20

Footnotes ;

• " DAFYDD JONES, LLWYNHEN; Dafydd Jones was a son to the late William Jones, Llwynhen. He spent his life in Llwynhen.......He was very knowledgeable about the different seams of coal and ore in the whole of this area.......He maintained for many years before coal mining started in this area that, deep in the bowels of the earth was an abundance of coal and ore. Some years before coal mining started he said: "There was coal under Gwaun-cae-gurwen/Before Adam of old was in Eden..........After spending the 80 years of his life in Llwynhen, he died on June 2nd 1872. His wife, Shan, was buried on December 17th 1871, aged 83, and they were taken to the ancient cemetery of Old Carmel........... Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840 "
• " DAVID MORGAN, LLWYNHEN. This is one who was living in these parts in 1840, when these areas were clothed in solitude and this is one who was an eyewitness to the progress and success of these neighbourhoods.......We are indebted to him for many of the notes which are incorporated into this essay. It is a great pity that he took to the grave with him hundreds of old stories which would have been extremely interesting to future generations........After a life of 76 years he died on July 28th 1906. Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840 "
• "In the year 1905, in the midst of the turmoil and upheaval of the revival , the church in Cwmgors was established. 215 members went from Carmel, and they incorporated the church under the Rev. B D Davies on Sunday night, July 16th. ..............the decision had chrystalised in the minds of a number of leaders that there was a cause to form in the southern corner of the district, and they held a meeting on Monday night, July 10th, under the presidency of David Morgan, Llwynhen to organise in readiness for getting the new cause underway. ..................further work that was waiting, namely raising the chapel. By 1910 , the young church was ready to face the venture. They had promises of £1100, and it was all paid in by the opening day. The foundation stone was laid down on September 22 1910 by Mrs Ann Morgan, Pantglas[previously Llwynhen];  [Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942]

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Nantymelyn

 

Nantymelyn farm stands on the west side of the main Cwmgors/Pontardawe road, opposite Cwmnanthopkin on the east side.

"The main track through the region in the early days, and that one, in winter, was nothing except muddy ruts between two ditches, was the way from Cwmllynfell passed Wernbwll and Pencaedu, Penybryniau and Llwynhen, and across to Nantymelyn, and towards Llangyfelach. You can see traces of this old track in places today. The attraction from these parts was to Llangyfelach in those days, and there was no end to talk about Llangyfelach fair the length of the land in those days. There were two other routes in the area, namely Heol Hir and Heol Fyr; the one joining Waun common and Penlle'rfedwen mountain past Old Carmel, and the other going past Beili-glas Uchaf to the mountain."  [Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942]

Census entries;

1841

• WILLIAM Noah 55
• WILLIAM Thomas 20
• WILLIAM Mallt 15
• WILLIAM Howel 12
• WILLIAM John 10

1851

• JONES David 44
• JONES Jane 38
• JONES John 16
• JONES Jane 14
• JONES Hanah 12
• JONES Daniel 10
• JONES Mary 7
• JONES Owen 4
• JONES Gwenllian 1

1861

• J ONES David 55
• JONES Jane 49
• JONES John 27
• JONES Hannah 22
• JONES Mary 17
• JONES Owen 15
• JONES Hopkin 9

1871

• JONES David 64
• JONES Jane 59
• JONES Mary 27
• JONES Gwenllian 21
• JONES Owen 24
• JONES Hopkin 19

1881

• JONES David 74
• JONES Jane 68
• JONES Owen 34
• JONES Gwenllian 31
• JONES Hopkin 29
• JONES Jane 18
• JONES John 11

1891

• JONES David 42
• JONES Gwenllian 42
• JONES Thomas 1

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Blaennanthir

 

Blaenant hir farm was just to the east of Wernbwll, on the slopes of Penllerfedwen above Tairgwaith.

It is presumably  the one called Blaen-y-nant-hir mentioned in official records as early as 1610, Jenkin David and William John Gwillim [tenants], annual rent 11 1/2d [see ' Farms in the area'].

Census entries;

1841

• WILLIAMS THOMAS 82 FARMER NO
• WILLIAMS MARY 78 - YES
• WILLIAMS WILLIAM 42 - YES
• THOMAS DIANA 16 FEMALE SERVANT

1851

• THOMAS William 57
• THOMAS Margaret 34
• THOMAS Mary 8
• THOMAS Ann 5
• THOMAS Catherine 3
• THOMAS David 3m
• JONES Sarah 20

1861

• THOMAS William 65
• THOMAS Margaret 45
• THOMAS Anne 15
• THOMAS Daniel 14
• THOMAS Sarah 7

1871

• WILLIAMS William 77
• WILLIAMS Margaret 54
• WILLIAMS Anne 25

1891

• JAMES William 36
• JAMES Sarah 36
• JAMES John 3
• JAMES Margaret 2
• JAMES Ann 2m
• POWELL Hannah 26
• JAMES Thomas H 21

Blaen nant hir isaf

1871

• WILLIAMS Daniel 41
• WILLIAMS Gwenllian 38
• WILLIAMS John 11
• WILLIAMS David 7
• WILLIAMS Morgan James 5
• WILLIAMS Margaret 2

Footnotes;

• WILLIAM TOMOS CHRISTMAS. Here is one of the original old characters of this neighbourhood. He was born in 1795 in Wernbwll Farmhouse. When he was ten years old he moved with his parents to Blaennanthir, where he spent a life of eighty-eight years. For generations before him William Tomos's ancestors had lived in Blaennanthir. His father, Tomos Christmas, was the chief scholar of the neighbourhood at that time. It was to him that people ran when they were in trouble; he was the Harris Cwrt-y-gadno of the neighbourhood - he was a man ahead of his time.    
  Hen Gymeriadau Cwmgors a'r Waun o'r flwyddyn 1840 "

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Llwynyrhidiau

Llwynrhidiau [Llwynrhydie] is on the side of the mountain behind where Llwyn Rd meets Abernant Rd in Cwmgors.

The Llwynrhidiau family owned the land on the east side of the  main road running through the centre of Cwmgors village where houses were built by the incoming villagers on long term leases from the 1880s onwards.

Census entries;

1841

Llwyn yr Hidie farm

• EVANS William 40
• EVANS Magdalen 35
• EVANS Benjamin 9
• EVANS Gwenllian 7
• WILLIAM Evan 25
• MORGAN Catharine 15

1851

Llwynrhydie

• EVANS WILLIAM HD M 52 FARMER 60 AC. GLA LLANGUICKE
• EVANS MAGDALEN WI M 48 - GLA LLANGUICKE
• EVANS BENJAMIN SO U 18 - GLA LLANGUICKE
• EVANS GWENLLIAN DA U 17 - GLA LLANGUICKE
• ISAAC ANNE SV U 21 HOUSE SERVANT  GLA LLANGUICKE

1871

• EVANS Benjamin 39
• EVANS Jane 39
• EVANS Magdalen 3
• EVANS Thomas 1
• EDWARDS David 17
• GRIFFITHS Jane 18

1881

• EVANS Benjamin 48
• EVANS Jane 50
• EVANS Magdalen 13
• EVANS Thomas 12
• NICHOLAS Catherine 20
• DAVIES William 19

1891

• EVANS Benjamin Price 58
• EVANS Jane 62
• WILLIAMS Magdalen 23
• EVANS Thomas 21
• WILLIAMS Morgan 31
• GRIFFITHS Ann 28

Footnotes ;

Some extracts from Annibynwyr Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen by L C Huws 1942;

• "The deacons who officiated here at the first communion were Daniel Evans, Gwrhyd Isaf, son of Mr W Evans, formerly minister at Cwmllynfell; and his brother in law Thomas David, Cwmgors. Since forming the church until the present, the following persons have served as deacons here; Owen Jones, Cwrt-y-Bariwns; Daniel Evans,Gwrhyd Isaf; William Evans, Llwynrhydie; Isaac Jones, Beiliglas; Daniel Jenkins y Saer; David James and Benjamin Evans."
• William Evans, Llwynrhydie was the treasurer in Old Carmel for many years. .....After him his son Benjamin Evans became treasurer and he was in that office for the old and new Carmel for over fifty years. He was a gentleman and he sacrificed much for peace and harmony, and he was a generous benefactor of the church over the years. There exists a genius for treasurer still in the family, since his son Thomas Evans has been treasurer of Tabernacl from the start.

[Gareth Hicks 4/2001]

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Land Tax Assessments relating to Cwmbach (and Pwllywrach)

 

Contributed by Caryl Jones

YEAR	OWNER	FARM	OCCUPIER	RENT £ s d
1772-3	NOAH JONES	PWLLYWRACH	Dd  HARRY & Dd GRIFFITH	0    3   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	Dd HARRY	0    3   9
1773-4	NOAH JONES	PWLLYWRACH	WIDOW HARRIES & Dd GRIFFITH	0    3   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	WIDDOW HARRY	0    3   9
1774-5	NOAH JONES	PWLLYWRACH	Wm JONES & DAVID GRIFFITH	0    3   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	WIDOW JONES	0    3   9
1775-6	NOAH JONES &  HERBERT MACKWORTH	PWLLYWRACH	THOS DAVID Wms	0    4   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	ANN HARRIES WID	0    5   0
1776-7	NOA JONES & HERBERT MACKWORTH	PWLLYWRACH	THOS DAVID Wms	0    4   0
"	NOA JONES	CWMBACH	ANN HARRIES WID	0    5   0
1776-8	NOA JONES & HERBERT MACKWORTH	PWLLYWRACH	THOS DAVID Wms	0    4   0
"	NOA JONES	CWMBACH	ANN HARRIES WID	0    5   0
1778-9	NOT LISTED	PWLLYWRACH
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	ANN HARRY	0    5   0
1779-80	NOAH JONES & HERBERT MACKWORTH	PWLLYWRACH	THOMAS DAVID Wm	0    4   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1781	HERBERT MACKWORTH & NOAH JONES	PWLLYWRACH	THOMAS DAVID Wm	0    4   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1782	Dd HERBERT MACKWORTH & HOPKIN  REES	PWLLYWRACH	Ths DAVID	0    4   0
"	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1783	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	Jos DAVID	0    5   0
1784	NOAH JONES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1785	NOA JONES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1786	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1787	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	JOSEPH DAVID	0    5   0
1788	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	JENKIN JONES	0    5   0
1789	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	JENKIN JONES	0    5   0
1790	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	JENKIN JONES	0    5   0
1791	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	JOHN HARRIES	0    5   0
1792	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1795	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1797	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	JN HARRIS	0    5   0
1798	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	-	0    5   0
1799	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1800	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1801	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1802	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1803	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1805	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1806	MR JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	DD	0    5   0
1808	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	DD	0    5   0
1809	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	DD	0    5   0
1810	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	DD	0    5   0
1811	JOHN HARRIS	CWMBACH	DD	0    5   0
1812	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	SELF	0    5   0
1813	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1814	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0
1815	JOHN HARRIES	CWMBACH	HIMSELF	0    5   0