Showing 19 results

Maria Williams (1843-1914) was the daughter of Commander Horatio and Mrs S. M. James. She was born in South Street, Rhaeadr and was baptized in 1843. She attended school first at Oxton, Birkenhead (around 1855) and then at the Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1858-9. She married Stephen William Williams on 11 Sept. 1862, when still a minor. She died at Penralley on 19 May 1914 and was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard.

The Rev. Jonah Bowen Evans (1806-1876), married Elizabeth Williams of Pencarreg, co. Carm., on 18 June 1830. He was made deacon in 1829, ordained priest in 1830. Curate of Llan-y-crwys, co. Carm. and Llanfair Clydogau, co. Card. 1829-1831; of Cwmyoy with Llanthony and Capel-y-ffin, co. Mon., 1833-1838; of Orcop, co. Here, 1835-1836, and of Talach-ddu with Llanfihangel-Tal-y-Llyn and Llan-ddew, 1838-1847. Vicar of St Harmon, co. Rad., 1845-1876. Secretary of the Brecon Cymreigyddion Society in 1839, and submitted prize winning essays to local eisteddfodau at Abergavenny, 1837-1838, and Cowbridge, 1839, and to the National Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth, 1865. He was the author of Canals, tramroads & railways of Gwent & Morgannwg. He died on 17 April 1876 and was buried in Llywel churchyard, co. Brec. For further details of his life, see David H. Williams's articles, 'A neglected Radnorshire cleric: the Reverend Jonah Bowen Evans, BD ('Cattwg'), vicar of St Harmon, 1845-76', Jnl Welsh Religious History, vol. 1 (1993), pp. 81-111, and 'A faithful vicar of St Harmon: the Reverend Jonah Bowen Evans, BD', Trans. Rads. Soc., vol. 71 (2001), pp. 104-140. See also NLW MS 23056D (letter book of Jonah Bowen Evans, 1843-1873; presented to Dr Williams by Mrs Dilys Jones of Trecastle, co. Brec.). Arranged into JBE's papers (803-857), and related papers and other family matters (859-879).

Harriet Frances Evans (1836-1868) was the daughter of Horatio and Sarah Margaretta James. Born in Falmouth, Cornwall, 4 June 1836; baptised [privately] in the parish of King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth, 8 June 1836; she was named by her naval father after the daughter of Sir John Beresford (Harriet), and his family friend and naval agent, Sir Francis Ommaney. She married the Rev. Thomas Howel Evans, 24 August 1857, in Rhaeadr church; died 24 March 1868, at Market Bosworth, Lincs. She was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard, 28 March same year.

Brig.-Gen. Horatio James Evans, CMG, DL, JP (1859-1932) was the eldest son of the Rev. T. H. Evans and Mrs Harriet Evans. Educated at the Royal Naval School, Deptford, he served in the Afghan, South African and First World Wars, mostly as an officer of The King's (Liverpool) Reg., ending his substantive military service as Brig. Gen. 115th Infantry Brigade, 38th Welsh Division. He was twice mentioned in despatches. Dying from cancer on 7 May 1932, Horatio was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. He married (1) Harriet Gertrude Evans (youngest daughter of Rev. J.C. Evans, who died 21 Sept. 1874) who died 3 May 1904, aged 51, after four hours apoplexy at North Strand, Ireland; and (2) Susan Ethelwyn Claire Matthews (1886-1965) who was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. Their son, Horatio Peter Bowen Evans (1916-1988) was also buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. Francis Howel Evans, the brother of Horatio James Evans, was born in 1867. He wrote crime stories and could have been the inspiration behind Agatha Christie's 'Poirot'. Another brother, Walter Bowen, was a noted explorer and mining engineer. For a full account of Horatio and his family see David H. Williams, 'A clerical son of Radnorshire', Trans. Rads. Soc., vol. 73 (2003), pp. 163-192. For the battle for Mametz Wood (Somme) in July 1916, in which HJE took part and was wounded in an arm and his head, and 'weakened by loss of blood', see no's 984a and 1004 below. See also Colin Hughes, Mametz (Gerrards Cross: Orion Press, 1982), Michael Renshaw, Mametz Wood (Barnsley, 1999) and, especially, Ll. Wyn Griffith, Up to Mametz (Norwich, 1988 reprint). Griffith (three of whose letters are listed below) became HJE's aide-de-camp during the battle. The brigade diary for 1916 also contains a contemporaneous account of this bloody battle, which saw much loss of life; this might partly have been avoided if higher authority had listened to Horatio's recommendations (PRO [National Archives] WO 95/2560 - bound booklet for July 1916). Much further information also occurs in NLW sources, especially René Hague MS 1 (Papers of Capt. David Jones), NLW MSS, 21830, passim; 22431, ff. 1-60; 23269, ff. 98-161. An article by Dr Williams, entitled 'Letters from the Front', is due to appear in the Trans. Rads. Soc. The Penralley accounts, inter alia, tell of much effort devoted to the gardens at Penralley - with purchase of seeds for vegetables and flowers; of regular piano tuning, of occasional purchases from Harrods, of tithe payments, and the frequent hire of a car, either from Fred Harris of Beehive or from Lloyds Garage, both Rhaeadr. They reveal the varied range of tradespeople in Rhaeadr in HJE's time. Arranged into military career (952-1009), Scout commissioner (1010-1017), local affairs (1018-1030), Rhaeadr Golf Club (1031-1033), personal affairs (1034-1081), family photographs (1082-1087), Penralley and HJE domestic accounts etc. (1088-1105), other subscriptions (1106-1108), Mrs Harriet Gertrude Evans (1109-1111), Mrs Susan Ethelwyn Claire Evans (n(c)e Matthews) and family (1112-1185), family photographs and cards (1186-1199), Matthews family (1200-1220), and Commander Peter Bowen Evans, RN (1221-1292).

Catherine Jane James, (1828-1908), was the only daughter of John Jones James and Eliza James. She was born at sea on 9 June 1828 off Ceylon and was baptized in Calcutta in 1831. She died 6 Jan. 1908.

(I) Hugh James (1785-c.1803) was baptized in Rhaeadr church on 31 July 1785. He was named after his brother, who had died a few weeks previously (baptised 21 March 1784; buried 4 June 1785, outside his mother's tomb at Rhaeadr). The second Hugh was a midshipman and died at the age of 19 (1803 x 1804) of yellow fever and was buried in Plymouth. (Ii) Miss Catherine James (1787-1863) was born 31 Jan. 1787, died 26 April 1863, aged 74, and buried at Rhaeadr. (Iii) Miss Jane James (1782-1866) was born 11 July 1782, baptized in Rhaeadr church 12 July 1782, died 24 March 1866, aged 83, and buried at Rhaeadr. She seems to have had a son, John E. James, who resided in New York and was dead before 1860. (Iv) Miss Margaret James (1788-1872) was born 17 Feb. 1788, probably away from Rhaeadr, as there is no mention of her baptism there. She visited India in 1829, and stayed for a time in Liverpool, 1851 and 1862. She died 29 Oct. 1872, aged 84, and was buried at Rhaeadr. (V) Miss Sarah James (1790-1869) was also probably born away from Rhaeadr. She was born 11 April 1790, died 19 Nov. 1869, aged 79, and was buried Rhaeadr. The 1841 census shows that Horatio James, his wife, and his daughter were living at Fir Grove, South Street, Rhaeadr, and next door, presumably at old Penralley although it is not named, lived his mother and three of his sisters.:. 1841 Census. Fir Grove: Horatio James (50), Sarah James (30), Harriet James (5), Mary Owen (25; servant), Mary Lewis (25; servant) and Edward Evans (15; servant). 1841 Census. South Street: Jane James (90), Catherine James (50), Margaret James (45), Sarah James (40) and Sarah Owen (20; servant). 1851 Census. 47 South Street: Sarah Margaretta James (48), Maria James (7), Mary Jones (20; servant) and Edward Evans (23; servant). 1851 Census. 48 South Street: Jane James (67), Catherine James (64), Margaret James (63), Sarah James (61) and Mary Williams (15; servant).

Thomas Howel Evans (1832-1915), born 13 March 1832, Llanfair Clydogau, co. Card., baptized 28 June 1832, Llanddewibrefi, co. Card. He studied for ordination at St Aidans College, Birkenhead, 1854-1856. Made deacon in 1856, ordained priest in 1857, diocese of Peterborough. Married (1) Harriet Frances James in Rhaeadr parish church in 1857 and had seven children. After her death in 1868, he married (2) Amelia Bucknill (d. 1889), and (3) in 1896, Mary Beatrice Bradley (d. 1900). Curacies: Packington, Leics, 1856-1865, Little Missenden, Bucks, 1857-1858; Cadeby, Leics, 1859-1872; chaplain of the Market Bosworth Union Workhouse, 1867-1872; curate and lecturer, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics, 1872-1873; Rectories: Farthingstone, Northants, 1873-1888; Maidford, Northants, 1888-1898; Preston Capes, Northants, 1898-1915. He died at Preston Capes rectory on 20 Dec. 1915 and was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard, 23 Dec. 1915. (For his life and his family, see David H. Williams, 'A clerical son of Radnorshire', Trans. Rads. Soc., 73 (2003), pp. 163-192).

John Raphael Bowring (1789-1869) was born in London, 8 July 1789. He was the son of Josiah L. Bowring, a painter of miniatures, who died in 1832. John was living in Kempsey, co Worcs, in 1816-7 when he met his future wife, Emma Bowring, at a music party. Emma was the daughter of Evan Probert of Kempsey and they had at least two children. John worked in America from 1818 to 1824, he then moved back to Britain to become an accountant in Liverpool, with the firm of Sealy & Walker. He died on 5 April 1869 and was buried with his wife in Anfield cemetery. The papers include theatricals and verse connected to the Bowring family, 1799-1860 (1566-1588).

The relationship of the Penry family to the James family has not as yet been established, but it probably stems from the marriage of Jonah Bowen Evan's sister, Elizabeth, to William Winstone. The letters of Mary Penry from Pennsylvania to her relatives in Breconshire are fulsome, to say the least. She was a member of the Brethren, and a deeply spiritual person.

Evan Probert (?1764-1827) was possibly the son of Evan and Margaret Probert; if so, he was baptised in Rhaeadr in 1764, and came of a line traceable back to David Probert of Worcester. He married Anne Beale, daughter of the Rev. William Beale, curate of Newent. He was the brother of Jane who married into the James family, and of Emma who married into the Bowring family. Evan resided first at Painswick, co. Glouc., and then at Kempsey, co. Worcs, where he kept a school. He suffered mental illness and died in 1827 whilst an inmate of Gloucester Asylum. No's 1445-1456 are papers primarily relating to Henry Probert (d. 1841), the eldest son of Evan Probert, jnr. He married Lucy Thomas (d. 1832), daughter of Elizabeth Thomas of Hereford. In the autumn of 1826, Henry went to work abroad as a medical man. In 1827, he was private secretary to Colonel King, governor of Heligoland. No children of the marriage are known. No's 1457-1508 are papers primarily relating to Emma Bowring (née Probert) (1794-1870). She was born at Painswick, co. Glouc., on 8 May 1794, the daughter of Evan and Ann Probert. Emma married John Raphael Bowring on 21 June 1827 at Flaxley, co. Glouc., and they had at least two children. She died on 2 Dec. 1870 and was buried in her husband's grave in Liverpool's Anfield cemetery (Church section 7, no. 494).

Stephen William Williams (1837-99) was born in Lower Mellington, Churchstoke, co. Mont. He married Maria Williams of Rhaeadr, 11 Sept. 1862, in Liverpool Parish Church. He was an archaeologist, antiquary, numismatist and territorial soldier. He was the County Surveyor for Radnorshire, 1862-1899. He died (while High Sheriff of Radnorshire) at Sandown, Isle of Wight on 11 Dec. 1899 and was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. He had no children. For Stephen William Williams, see: R. W. D. Fenn & J. B. Sinclair, 'Our ubiquitous friend', Trans. Rads. Soc., vol. 20 (1989), pp. 116-134; 'Stephen W. Williams of Penralley, 1833-1899', Arch. Camb., vol. 159 (2000), pp. 89-121; David H. Williams, 'An appreciation of the life & work of Stephen Williams Williams', Mont. Colls., vol. 80 (1992), pp. 55-88; 'SW Williams, 1837-1899, a commemoration', Trans. Rads. Soc., vol. 69 (1999), pp. 116-142. Deunydd perthnasol: Many other papers of Stephen William Williams may be found in the Birmingham Corporation Waterworks collection held in NLW, the records of the Elan Valley Waterworks Committee in the Birmingham Public Reference Library, and at the Powys County Record Office. Arranged into personal papers, 1862-1999 (627-658), Penralley, [late 18 cent]-1904 (659-678), the archaeologist and historian, [c.1824-c.1975] (679-686), Radnorshire Volunteers and miscellanea, [c.1878-late 1890s], 687-690, local affairs, land agent and architectural practice, 691-724 (1864-1900), and Ty-lwch estate, 1867-1910 (725-741).

Papers relating to the children of the Rev. T. H. Evans and Mrs H. F. Evans: Margaretta E. 'Gretta' Evans, (1848-1946); Catherine J. 'Katie' Evans, (1860-1918); Walter Bowen Evans (1862-1923), a distinguished chemist and a member of the Governing Body of the Church of Wales, who married Florence Mary Jeffreys (c.1866-1929) of Castle House, Trecastle; Maria S. 'Minnie' Evans (1863-c.1949); Francis Howel Evans (1867-1931); and Nellie (Mrs Rootham, fl. 1894-1904). (For details of all these family members, see Trans. Rads. Soc., vol. 73 (2003), pp. 181-189). Arranged into the papers of Walter (1294-1298), Francis (1299-1308), Gretta (1309-1338), Catherine (1339-1342), Minnie (1343-1345), and Nellie (1346-1347).

'Captain' James Jones was born in the parish of St Harmon, co. Rad. He was an uncle and benefactor of Lt John James. He died in January 1774 and was buried in Llansanffraid Cwmteuddwr churchyard, co. Rad. There is a transcript of the inscription on his tomb in NLW MS 13452A, p.24.

John James (1737-1790) enlisted as a midshipman in the Royal Navy in 1751 and served mainly off the North American coast, on the sloop Friendship, 1751-2, HMS Northumberland, 1757-8, then as Acting Lieutenant and Commander of the schooner Moncton, 1757-8. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 12 May 1758 and he served in that capacity on the Orford, Sutherland and the Northumberland. He was First Lieutenant on the Coventry, 1763-4, and briefly commanded the schooner Hawke, 1764. He then became First Lieutenant on the Romney, 1765-6, and during this period he was involved in the siege of Cape Breton and Quebec and served with General Wolfe. He was later involved in action off Newfoundland. He then became First Lieutenant upon HMS Tweed in the Channel, 1769-72. His last position was that of First Lieutenant on HMS Levant in the Mediterranean, 1772-5. He then retired from naval life, ill-health being alleged, having inherited property from his uncle, James Jones, RN, who died in Rhaeadr in 1774. In 1780 John James married Jane Probert, daughter of Evan Probert of Kempsey, co. Worcs., and had eight children. He died on 14 Sept. 1790, aged 52, and was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. See also NLW BRA 145-7 (pp.40-1) in which John James appears as party to two deeds.

Jane James (1757-1844) was the daughter of Evan Probert. She lived in Rhaeadr and married Lt John James, by whom she had eight children. She died in 1844, aged 86, and was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard.

George Augustus Bowring (1828-1855), called 'Gussie' in the family, was born 14 June 1828 at Mile End, Liverpool, the son of John Raphael and Emma Bowring. He went to Oporto in Portugal in 1843 for a year's education. He then lived in Aracati and Para in Brazil from 1844 to 1849. He returned to Britain and was resident in Manchester from 1849 to 1852. He then moved to London and worked in a countinghouse. He married Anna Tilbury, daughter of John Tilbury of the Bank of England on 11 Jan. 1853, in London. He died in London on 10 April 1855 and was buried in Highgate cemetery in a unmarked common grave (no. 6449/46). Unusually, two conflicting records exist, one suggesting that he was baptised on 14 Aug. 1828 at St John the Baptist, Chester; the other that he was baptised on 14 Sept. 1829 in Rhaeadr parish church.

John Jones James (1781-1837) was the eldest child of John and Jane James. He was baptized in 1781 in Rhaeadr church. He married Eliza, surname unknown, and had one legitimate daughter, Catherine Jane, who was born at sea in 1828, and one illegitimate daughter, Cornelia Ludovica Immens of Antwerp. He was a mate with the East India Service by 1805 and was later trading in India on his own account. In Calcutta, around 1836, he resided at 31 Pollock Street. He died on board the Therese off St Helena and was buried there at the county church on 22 Feb. 1837.

Born 9 March 1789, at Rhaeadr, the son of Lt John James and Mrs Jane James, he was little more than a year old when his father died. Educated perhaps at a naval school (Woolwich?), the navy became his life, marrying his wife, Sarah Margaretta Symonds at St James's Church (now the Cathedral), Bury St Edmunds, on 28 Feb. 1833, while on shore leave. Horatio served as a midshipman on the Jason (1804-1808); as a master mate on the Ethalion (1808-1810), Marlborough (in 1810), Donegal (1810-1811), Poictiers (in 1811), Foudroyant (1811-1812); as a lieutenant on the Royal Sovereign (1813-1814), as first lieutenant on the Saracen (1814-1815), as lieutenant on the Antelope (1815-1819), as first lieutenant on the Eden (1822-1823), and the Surinam (1823-1825), as lieutenant on the Hyperion (1828-1830); then, as lieutenant-commander took command of the Surly cutter (1830-1831), the Viper schooner (1831-1834), and the Tartarus steam vessel (1834-1837). In 1841, he was given a sinecure, command of the sloop Blossom, enabling him to be promoted to the rank of commander. Praised for bravery in 1830, HJ was an accomplished artist and had a keen interest in politics. He died in London on 9 October 1850, and was buried at Rhaeadr on 14 October. (For a detailed account of the life and career of Horatio James, see no. 165). Mrs Sarah Margaretta James (1802-1889) was born in Bury St Edmunds on 16 April 1802, baptised 6 Sept. 1803 (at St James's Church). She was the daughter of John Symonds 'the younger' and Margaretta, née Twight (who married 30 April 1786, also at St James's). Sarah married HJ on 28 Feb. 1833, and died at Penralley on 29 Sept. 1889, aged 87. She was buried in Rhaeadr churchyard. (See also no. 1081). Arranged into papers relating to his naval service, 1795-c.1862 (166-504), family matters and personal affairs, 1790-1888 (505-530b), local affairs, 1758-1849 (531-559), the Gloucester, Aberystwyth & Central Wales Railway Co., 1845-1846 (560-570), political matters, 1758-1846 (570a-611), and Mrs Sarah James, 1757-1878 (612-625).