Bonsall family, of Fronfraith

Family

Bonsall family, of Fronfraith

The Fronfraith estate, Llanbadarn Fawr, Cardiganshire, was purchased by Sir Thomas Bonsall (1730-1808) in 1784. He was the son of George and Mary Bonsall of Ecton, Staffordshire, who came to the Ysbyty Ystwyth area to work the Cwmystwyth mines as a manager, and later as lessee. He is estimated to have made a profit of £40,000 mining in north Cardiganshire. The family acquired the Galltyllan estate in Montgomeryshire through the marriage of John George William Bonsall (1817-1900) with Frances, daughter of Joseph Davies of Galltyllan in May 1853. His son, John Joseph Bonsall of Fronfraith and Galltyllan, married Emily Hughes of Glanrheidol. In 1873 the Fronfraith estate comprised 1,658 acres, yielding an annual rental of £1818.