A WINDOW TO THE PAST
THE POPULATION OF MELIN-Y-COED AND ENVIRONS
AS PRESERVED BY THE CENSUS RECORDS

THE VILLAGE OF MELIN-Y-COED IN 1841

In 1841 Queen Victoria had been married to Prince Albert for 12 months, and. he introduced the first Christmas fir tree to Britain this year. Sir Robert Peel became Prime Minister. The first train pulled out of Paddington station and the Taff Vale railway became the first in Wales, running between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. The Penny Post had been in use for 12 months.

On the 8th of June 1841, census enumerator Hugh Hughes knocked on the door of Elias Williams and his family – the first from the village of Melin Coed in the township of Tybrith Isaf to be recorded on the 1841 Census.
The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called the village Pentre y Coed.

This first census supplied just basic information. It recorded every person living at that address on that night. The village had a total of ten households. No house names were noted. Adults ages tended to be rounded to the nearest 5 years, eg 48 would be 50.

Elias Williams (55) was a farmer. He and his wife Mary (50) had two daughters living with them, Anne (19) and Mary (15). Their household included an 18 year old farm servant, Catherine Williams.

Their neighbours were Robert (69) and Magdalen Williams (78). He worked as a carrier.

The first clue as to the location of each house is given by the next entry – John Williams (40) a miller. This is presumably The Mill in Melin y Coed. His wife Jane (30), and children John (8) and Elizabeth (3) shared the residence.

In the next home resided Margaret Roberts (48) and her two children Mary (11) and Elinor (1). The census does not always record whether people were single or widowed.

Tailor Hugh Morris (30) and wife Jane (28) were the only residents in the next household.

A cowper, David Davies (30) and wife Elizabeth (25), neither born in the county, are listed next.

Margaret Williams (30), a dressmaker, not from Denbighshire, lived on her own.
Nearby was the family of an agricultural labourer, Elias Roberts (30), wife Sarah (32), and children Robert (10), Elizabeth (8) and Elinor (6).

Neighbouring them were John Williams (50) an agricultural labourer and his daughter Margaret (12).

Another agricultural labourer William Thomas (54) and his wife Margaret (55) were the final entry in the village census.

“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), and Margaret Jones (25). Joseph Thomas (35) was employed as a joiner, and the following were male servants: Charles Roberts (36), David Roberts (45), John Jones (45), William Williams (20) Robert Thomas (18) and Hugh Williams (20).


Above: Cyffdy
The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Cyffdu.

John Jones (33) the blacksmith lived at Carneddau Smithy with his wife Alice (34) and children Jane (7), John (3) and Alice (1).


Above: Carneddau Smithy in 2007

Residing at Glanyrafon was Grace Evans (45)

Another Glanyrafon (noted Melin y Coed) had spinster Jane Jones (47) in residence.

Nearby, residing at Glanyrafon (noted Kyffdu) were widow Margaret Roberts (83) and Mary Roberts (47)

Farming at nearby Gallt Yr Efel was John Edwards (68), Margaret Edwards (43). Employed by him were servants Anne Roberts (18) and William Williams (18). A William Morris (38) was recorded as a lodger, but “lodger” was later crossed out.

Another local farm was Ty Gwyn, whose occupant Robert Williams (30) had in his household Letice Williams (45), Elizabeth Williams (17) and Thomas Williams (6). They employed Evan Evans (30).


Above: Ty Gwyn viewed from higher ground

John Jones (25), a labourer, lived at Highgate with his wife Elizabeth (26) and daughter Margaret (1).


Above: Highgate in the mid-nineteenth century.

Another labourer and his family lived at Highgate: Richard Evans (74), wife Mary (70), Elizabeth Thomas (30) and Mary Thomas (5 months).

Hugh Hughes (52) farmed Caer Berllan with wife Jane (55), and children Henry (28), Richard (22), Robert (15), John (12), Elinor (19) and Jane (9).

Stone Mason William Davies (49) lived at Penucha’r Gwyllt. He and his wife Mary (35) had three children with them; William (10), Hannah (5) and Catherine (3).


Above: Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt in 1993

Butcher Samuel Jones (37) and wife Elizabeth resided at Ty Mawr with children Grace (13), Samuel (8) and Lea (2). John Owen was employed as a male servant.


Above: Ty Mawr from Garth Hebog

Garth Hebog was the residence of Grace Owens (60) a lady of independent means, Robert Owens (30), David Jones (22), William Lloyd (12) and Elinor Roberts (22).

John Jones (39) was the local wheelwright, and he lived at Hirnant with wife Margaret (36).

Robert Jones (60) of independent means lived with Jane Jones (45) at Bryn Capel.

Farming Caermelwr was Edward Williams (65), wife Mary (60), and their seven children; William (30), Robert (28), Davis (24), Thomas (19), Michael (8) Jane (14) and Sarah (11). They employed Anne Davies (24) and Gwen Roberts (15) as house servants, and Thomas Lewis (40) as a cowman.


Above: Hendre House in Winter

An 80 year old gentleman of independent means, Thomas Blackwall, lived at Hendre House, with merchant William Blackwall (45), Mary Blackwall (55), also Elizabeth Blackwall (40) and Emma Chawner (?) both of independent means. Servants at the property were Mary Allen (45), Maryanne Thorpe (40), Edward Thomas (25) Gwen Thomas (25) and Elizabeth Thomas (30). (Note: Thomas Blackwall had lived in Hendre House since 1833 and lived there until his death in 1881. His son John then lived there with his wife, the former Margaret Moulsdale of Bryn Dyffryn. The next generation also saw a John Blackwall living there, this time with a Chile-born wife. One at least of their descendants lived at Belmont, Capel Garmon, another Thomas Blackwall, who died in his early 60s on May 10th, 1907(?) and was buried at Capel Garmon cemetery, later to be joined by his wife Elizabeth.)


Thomas Lloyd (36) and wife Janet Lloyd (55) farmed at Fedw. Interestingly, his mother
Mary (57) is noted as living in an outhouse with servants William Roberts (41) and Anne (17) – the reference to the outhouse has been crossed out.

Tyddyn Hen was farmed by Hugh Roberts (70), Margaret Hughes (30) and Elin Hughes (7). Both entries have the reference to being his daughters crossed out. Also living there were Ellin Hughes (15), Elizabeth Williams (55) and Hugh Thomas (16), servants.

Neighbouring farm Plastirion was run by John Evans and his wife Anne, both 35, caring for their children Catherine (12), Margaret (10), William (7) and John (5). Working and living there were servants Robert Edwards (35), Henery Davies (30), Margaret Owens (25) and Mary Williams (20).

Evan Lewis (58) farmed Penrallt, with Margaret (33), and servants Thomas Morris (55), Robert Lewis (24), William Jones (21), Robert Roberts (11) and Ellin Roberts (18).

Tyddyn Du saw farmer Thomas Roberts (75) running the land, with Margaret (65), Robert Roberts (25) and servants Ellin Lloyd (13) and Deanna Roberts (13).

Soflan appears twice in the census. Morris Roberts (55) labourer, his wife Margaret (54) and son John (11), in one, and David Roberts (68) William Roberts (77), with servants – probably sons and daughter David (24), Robert (15) Anne (25), and another Anne Davies (19).


Above: Soflen in 2006

At Pwllmonyn lived William Parry (68) Ellen Parry (70) Henery Parry (40), William Davies (14) and Ellen Williams (12). The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Pwll Mawnin.

Nearby Rallt Bach, saw farmer William Jones (60), wife Elizabeth (55) living there with son Thomas (22), daughter Mary (31), Robert Roberts (2 months old) and Jemima Hughes (14), servant.

Cadwalladr Jones (70) farmed Hendrewen with Mary Jones (55), Lewis Jones (16) and Robert Jones (20). Elin Hughes (20) and Margaret Williams (14) were servants there.

The Roberts family farmed Siamberwen. Evan (70), Jane (64), Evan (32), Owen (24). Working there were Jane Evans (19), Margaret Richards (12) and Robert Jones (20).

Labourer David Jones (45) and family lived at Henefel. His wife Catherine (45) also cared for their children Anne (17), John (15), William (12), Ellen (10).

Tyn Twll was farmed by William Williams (28), wife Jane (26), children Owen (5), Ellin (3) and Jane (1). Assisting were servants Eliza Jones (13) and Moses Jones (18) (see below for household to 1901).

Bryn y Fawnog had farmer Edward Jones (40) as head of the household, with Wife Elizabeth (35), and children William (15), Margaret (13), John (9), David (6), Abel (4), Robert (2) and Owen (3 months). Also living there were Anne Jones (17) and Anne Roberts (28), a mantua-maker.
(A mantua was a woman's gown constructed of one piece of fabric in such a way that folds and pleats could be taken in or let out over time. It was open at the front to reveal the garment below, and could be styled into another garment by unpicking and rearranging. Eventually a mantua came to mean a sumptuous woman's gown. Eventually dressmaking by cutting out pieces of fabric and sewing them together replaced mantua-making. RE)


Above: Bryn y Fawnog

Thomas Hughes (34) labourer, wife Anne (28) and children Mary (3) and Hugh (1) lived at Brynrodyn.

People of independent means lived at Caermelwr – Sarah Williams (46), Jane Williams (43) and John Williams (40) – possibly brother and sisters. The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Cae Melwyr.

Cae Ddafydd Llwyd had as occupants David Roberts (30), wife Gwen (30) and children Anne (9), Jane (7), Mary (4) and Catherine (2).

Thomas Jones (55) farmed Carneddau with servant Elizabeth Jones (23).

At Rhiwmaen Brith, Pierce Griffiths (45) farmed, assisted by his wife Jane (45) and children Pierce (13), Margaret (11), John (7), Mary (4), and Robert (1¾).

Another busy household was headed by weaver William Owens (50) at Croesffordd Berthddu. Other occupants were John William Owens (30), Jonah Pritchard also weavers, spinners Robert Davies(20) and William Thomas (15) and servant Mary Jones (19) and Jane Evans (15).

The census notes ‘another house’ next, in which lived Sarah Foulkes (65) and Margaret Foulkes.

Widow Elizabeth Owens (81) lived at Tyddyn Llywarch, where David Jones (50) farmed with Thomas Jones (46), Mary Jones (40) - a sister to Elizabeth Owens – and farm servants Mary Williams (10) and Robert Parry (10).



Gatehouse Kyffdy housed labourer Thomas Jones (30), wife Anne (25) and children Pritchard (4) and Robert (1).


NANT Y RHIW

Nine households appear under the specific entry of Nant Y Rhiw in 1841. The properties are unnamed.

Agricultural labourer Hugh Roberts (29), wife Margaret (19) and son Hugh (1) are the first entry.

Neighbouring them were Hugh Williams (50), also an Agricultural Labourer with presumably his daughter Anne (11).

Jane Davies (71) lived in the next property on her own.

Next to her lived Morris Owens (25), an agricultural labourer, and Margaret (18).

Elizabeth Pritchard (59) appears next. Living with her were William Roberts (29) agricultural labourer, wife Margaret (26) and son Thomas (2 months). Another infant Elizabeth Williams (2 months) was also in the household.

Shoe maker John Williams (23), wife Anne (27) and children Anne (2) and Margaret (7 months) are the next residents there.

A tailor, William Roberts (69) and wife Catherine (74) appear next.

William Williams (72) plied his trade as a shoe maker, and lived with Jane Williams (78).

Margaret Williams (42) completes the villagers in the unnamed houses.

Thomas Evans (70) farmed Bryn Beddau with servant Jane Thomas (54).

Farming Garth y Piga at that time was Robert Roberts (46) and wife Elizabeth (43). Their 8 children were Harry (18), Anne (16), Hannah (14), Elizabeth (9), Elinor (7), Mary (5), Evan (3) and Catherine (2 momths).


Above we see that Elizabeth died in 1852 at the age of 54 and was later joined by her son Evan, aged 36, in 1875.
Thanks to Lee Wetton of rhos-on-sea.com for permission to use the above photo.
The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this dwelling Garth y Pegau.

Fotty Bach had Morris (24) and Catherine Hughes (25) in residence with Jane Williams (5).

Edward Thomas farmed (27) farmed Plas Onn with wife Catherine (26), children Owen (3) and Anne (1). Anne Williams (15) was employed as a servant.

Graiggoch was farmed by Evan Williams (30), wife Elizabeth (25), Grace (6), Elinor (3), Mary (3 months) with Alice (14) a servant.

Agricultural labourer Morris Thomas (29) and his family Margaret (30), Catherine (5), Morris (6) lived at Cae Gwyn Bach. Lodging there were David Williams (28) and Catherine Williams (26).

William Roberts (70), agricultural labourer, Robert William Roberts (33), Jane (28), William (6), Morris (4) Jane (2) and David (2 months) resided at Cae Gwyn Mawr.

Neighbouring Creigia (Creigiau) was farmed by William Jones (30), wife Anne (35), children Robert (13), Thomas (11), William (7), Elinor (9) and John (1). Employed as farm servants were Evan Roberts (20) and family, Catherine (26) and Catherine (15).
Previous Creigiau resident Ellin Jones had been buried 26 April 1837 aged 61, to be followed by her husband, Robert Jones, living at Bryn Capel Nant y Rhiw, who died aged 77 and was buried 27 October 1856,


Above: Creigiau

Morris Griffiths (35) wife Margaret (30) and Griffith (3) lived at Fronlas.

Farming Frithgraig (?) was Margaret Hughes (54), William Hughes(33) and Thomas Hughes (20).

Ty Newydd, Tyddyn Du had as its occupants, the Hughes family: Robert (29), Catherine (30), William (3) and Thomas (9 months).

Hwylfa Ddu was farmed by Evan Hughes (40) and family Anne (40), Hugh (15), Robert (7), William (5), and Hannah (2 months). (The map of 1880 called this farm "Hwylfa Adda" - Old Maps site).


Above: Hwylfa Ddu from near Tan y Graig 2006

Penyborfa Ty Brith, was inhabited by William Griffiths (70), wife Catherine (70) and son Robert (35).

At Glan y Gors, Hugh Evans (49) farmed, aided by wife Margaret (48), children Anne (15), William (10) and Robert (6). Anne Hughes (8) is noted as a lodger.


Above: Glan y Gors near Bryn Dybrith

Thomas Humphreys (70), wife Catherine (74), David (32) with servants Jane Williams (10) and Thomas Davies, farmed Tyn y Bryn.


Above: Tyn y Bryn

A family which was to move to Gorsedd Grucyn lived at Tan Y Graig - Owen Williams (31) wife Gwen (29), Margaret (7) and Catherine (1).


Above: Tan y Graig 2006

Bryn Rhyd had the Williams family as inhabitants. Agricultural labourer Evan (45), wife Margaret (31), Benjamin (7), Anne (4) and Aled (1).

Farmer Griffith Evans (75) farmed Bryn Y Gwynt with Gwen (25) and Margaret (20).


Above: Bryn Gwynt in 2006

Maes Gwyn was worked by Grace Edwards (59), with family members Robert (25), Grace (19) and Elinor(12).


Above: Maes Gwyn in 2006

Pant Y Maes shows Jane Jones (45), of independent means in residence, with children Owen (15) and Margaret (9). It appears that Jane also had a daughter called Mary Jones, who on 15 June 1844 married David Edwards, a husbandman and son of Llanrwst carrier Thomas Edwards. Mary's father is stated to be Freeholder William Williams. Mary was of full age, and her residence was stated to be Pant y Maes. Witnesses at the wedding were Peter Williams and Catherine Williams



Another entry against Pant y Maes, maintaining a separate household, is Margaret Davies (50).


The photos above are of Pant y Maes in 2006

William Williams (57) farmed Bryniog Y Plas with workers Edward Parry (18), John Griffiths (16), Thomas Williams (15) John Jones (13), Alice Williams (30) and Alice Roberts (20).

Orsedd Grycyn had as its residents agricultural labourer Owen Jones (42), wife Elizabeth (41), and daughters Gwen (10), Hanah (7) and Elinor (4). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Orsedd Grychyn).

Jane Davies (55) is noted as maintaining a separate household there.

Bryniog Uchaf had agricultural labourer David Roberts (40), wife Elizabeth (33) and children William (9), Lewis (5) and Rowland (?) (3).

Bryniog Bach shows William Jones (75), Hugh (27), Margaret (28), Mary (3) and William (1) living there with servant Elizabeth Pritchard (22).

At Hafoty Fawr farmer Robert Williams (39) toiled together with Margaret Williams (45) and servant Elinor Hughes (10).

In nearby Ty Du lived agricultural labourer William Jones (30), wife Margaret (28), children William (4) and Margaret (2).

Tyddyn Gabriel had as its inhabitants Robert Thomas (60), Jane Thomas (46) and Jane (13).

This concludes the enumeration of the parish of Ty Brith Isaf. An interesting point noted from this census is the number of children aged 2 months old in Nant Y Rhiw. The census was taken on the 8th June 1841 and raises the question: did any specific celebrations take place in the area during September 1840?

An entry reading Mogan (Maelogen today; in the map survey of 1800 it was called Moel Hogan) was inhabited by David Hughes (45), his wife Dorothy (35), and their children Anne (15) and John (15). Children’s names were generally accurately recorded, so could these seem to be twins. William Williams (15), servant completed the household.


Above: Moelogen

Another Hughes family lived at neighbouring Tyn Y Mynydd. Robert Hughes (65) farmed here with Margaret (70), Hugh (35), Morice (30) and servant Margaret Williams (13).

Bryn Hyfryd was farmed by Robert Roberts (25), wife Catherine (25), and Thomas (2), Anne (3 months).

Nant Y Fedwen appears next, farmed by William Hughes (35) with wife Elinor (35), Anne (3), Evan (1). Helping as a servant was Marian Hughes (12). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 lists this dwelling but not the others nearby except for "Moel Hogan".


Above: Old photo of Nant y Fedwen

Agricultural labourer Robert Owens (35) lived at Pen Y Ffordd with Anne (47), Robert (12), David (9) Thomas Lloyd (9) and Margaret Lloyd (5).

The interesting address called Farmyard housed farmer Thomas Evans (45), Margaret (35), and servants Margaret Davies (25) and Thomas Evans (15). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 did not list this dwelling).

Thomas Davies (75), an agricultural labourer, and Mary (75) resided at Ty’r Capel.

Henfrith was farmed by John Davies (30), wife Elinor (30) and sons William (7), Thomas (4) and Owen (1).

Llwynrhichart (also known as Llwyn Rhisiart and Llwyn Richard) housed farmer William Evans (25), Margaret (55) (possibly his mother) and siblings David (30), Jane (20) and John (15). Pritchard Lloyd (9) was also there. William later married and lived at Glan y Gors, Carmel. One of his sons, William, later lived at Ty Newydd (1901) and Fronwen (Y Cipar).

Henblas was farmed by John Owen (30), wife Catherine ( ) and son Abel (1). Servants Ann Roberts (20), Jane Thomas (15), Robert Williams (15) and John Lloyd (14).

Farming Tyddyn Ucha was Owen Williams (55), Elizabeth (35), John (14), Owen (7), Jane(5) Mary (3) and servants William Wynne (20), Jane Wynne (20) and Anne Williams (10 months). If Anne was a daughter to Owen and Elizabeth, she should have been listed before the Wynne family.

William Thomas (80) and wife Margaret (75) were still farming at Henfaes, with Owen (35), Elizabeth (35) and servants William Hughes (10) and Elizabeth Hughes (13).

Rhydlouw housed agricultural labourer Robert Jones (45), wife Gwen (45), and family Jane (13), Sarah (8), Elizabeth (6), Robert (3) and Jeremiah (1 month).

John Jones (45), wife Anne (45) and daughter Anne (11) lived at Rhyd Lechog.

Pennant was farmed by John Jones (45) and servants David Davies (35), William Parry (13) and Catherine Jones (30).

A second Rhyd Louw housed the family of agricultural labourer Thomas Griffiths (25), Catherine (30) and children Richard (4) and Jane (1).

Llety’r Dryw was inhabited by agricultural labourer Humphrey Humphreys (could be Hughes) (35), Anne (30), Phoebe (8), Catherine (6), and William (4). (The map survey of 1800 published in 1839-40 called this Llety Drw.)

Ty Newydd housed agricultural labourer Thomas Owens (30), Jane (35) Anne (8), Margaret (6), William (4) and Robert (1).

A second Pennant housed farmer William Jones (45) and his wife Sarah (45).

The following children are noted as living on their own at Pen y Bryn. I suspect that this is an error. They could be children of William and Sarah Jones of Pennant. They are Elisabeth (11), Anne (8), Jane (6) and William (3).

Rhyd Lydan housed Charles Royl(e) (65), an agricultural labourer, Jane, Anne and Mary.
(The Royles had been in the area for many years, certainly since 1770, when Margaret and Samuel Royle had their daughter Susanna baptised in Llanrwst on May 15. Their other children baptised there were Mary, Elizabeth, John, and in 1781 another Mary - likely called Mary because the first child died; this was a custom. In 1777 Charles and Jane Royle had their son John baptised in Llanrwst on 24 May, followed by another Charles on 3 May 1778. This is quite possibly the Charles enumerated above. Other Royles having children around the same time were Diana and James (Esq., Gent) of Cae Melwr and Gwydir who seem to have had 12 children between 1788 and 1810, including one called Hugh Wynne. Mary and William Royle, who had their family between 1789 and 1793 also called one of their daughters Susanna. William and Elizabeth also seem to be family names. See a Royle memorial inscription on page Old News BMD)

Jane Owen (35) lived at Rhyd Lechog with Eunice (4) and Anne Roberts.

Farming Llwyn Gronw were Thomas Jones (50), Catherine (50), Elinor (14), Thomas (11), and servant Evan Williams (15).

Farmer William Evans (60), wife Catherine (60) and Robert (15) and John (3) were at Ty’n Y Ffordd.

Glan Gors was farmed by William Jones (55), Alice (50), William (20) and Elinor (15).

Edward Watson (25) agricultural labourer, Anne (35), Elisabeth (3) and Anne (1) resided at Rhyd Lydan.

Farming Pantglas was David Jones (25), Elinor (30) and William (1).


Above: Fireplace in Pant Glas interior in 2006

Anne Evans (30) a servant, David (13) and William (1) lived at Hafod y Gilbert.

William Williams (40) farmed Fedw, with wife Jane (35), Grace (13), Mary (11), Jane (7), Elinor (5) and Sarah (1). 20 year old William Evans was a servant there.

Glanrafon housed agricultural labourer Rowland Jones (35), wife Elisabeth (30), Anne (7) and William (3).

This concludes the Mathebrwd district of Llanrwst. Care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however not all entries are clearly written and unfortunate errors are possible. Many enumerators were not Welsh speaking, and would write phonetically. Servants were recorded as M.S. (male servants) and F.S. (female servants) on the census.

(Ken Davies)

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THE 1851 CENSUS FOR MELIN Y COED AND ENVIRONS
Transcribed by Ken Davies

The 1851 census gives the overall population of the British Isles as 20.8 million, with 17.9 million living in England. Dartmoor prison was 1 year old. Mary Shelley, the novelist who wrote "Frankenstein", and Turner the painter both died. Thousands of Britons leave to join the Australian gold rush. Queen Victoria opens the Crystal Palace Great Exhibition. Llanrwst population was 3,602. The population increased by 371 from 1831 – the Napoleonic War was in progress during this time.
In the township of Ty Brith Isaf, enumerator I. Arkham put pen to paper and recorded the local inhabitants for the 1851 census.

His first call was to Richard Hughes, 31, of Henefail and his wife Mary, 31. They had three children, Jane, 5, Margaret, 3 and Hugh, 8 months. Richard was an agricultural labourer. He and his children were born in Llanrwst, but his wife came from Penmachno.

Berthddu housed William Jones, 45, a farmer of 113 acres and his wife Ellen, 38. Living at home with them were children Owen, 17, Grace, 16, Anne, 9, and Robert, 7. All were born in Llanrwst as were farm servants Robert Owens, 27, John Jones, 17, and labourer John Jones, 56. House ser-vants Ann Owens, 24, and Elinor Edwards, 19, were born in Pentrefoelas and Ysbyty Ifan respectively.

Hugh Hughes, 34, farmed 26 acres at Caer Berllan. He and his wife Anne, 30, came from Eglwysfach. Daughter Margaret, 4, and son Hugh, 2, were from Llanrwst as was farm servant Evan Owens, 21. House servant Jane Roberts, 17, hailed from Rowen.

Weavers William Owens, 57, of Llanrwst and John Owens, 41, of Denbigh lived at Groesffordd with general labourer Hannah Williams, 32, of Ysbyty Ifan.

The next house, unnamed, was uninhabited.

Tyddyn Hen housed Hugh Roberts, 83, a widower who farmed 26 acres. Hugh Roberts, 41, worked there as a farm labourer with his wife Margaret, 31, and daughter Ellen, 17. All were from Llanrwst. Elizabeth Hughes, 70, of Dolwyddelen worked as a house servant and William Hughes, 41, of Llanrwst was a farm servant.

Wheelwright John Hughes, 36, of Penmachno and his family lived at Pwllmonyn. Wife Margaret, 36, and children Sarah, 7, Edward, 5, Anne, 2, mother in law Sarah Foulkes, 70, were all born in Llanrwst as was apprentice wheelwright Benjamin Jones, 20. Visiting them on census day was John Jones, 46, a stone mason from Caerhun.

Farming 30 acres at Gallt yr Efail was John Edwards, 78, of Llanrwst. His wife Margaret, 52, came from Llanrhychwyn. Farm servant William Williams, 22, was born in Ysbyty Ifan and Robert Williams also a farm servant, aged 75, was from Llanrwst.

Widower Evan Roberts, 79, farmed 100 acres at Siamberwen. He came from Bala. The rest of the household were from Llanrwst. This included son Evan, 42, a farm labourer, daughter Anne, 30, and servants William Williams, 77, John Jones, 14, an errand boy, Jane Jones, 21, and Jane Roberts, 17.

The 180 acres at Plas Tirion were farmed by John Evans, 48, a widower. Children William G, 17, John, 15, Catherine, 27 Margaret, 20 all assisted him and all came from Llanrwst. Granddaughter Catherine Ingram, 4, was from Wrexham. Servant John Jones, 17, of Llanrwst and house servant Margaret Owens, 35, of Gwytherin, made up the household.

Farm labourer Lewis Jones, 27, was head of household at Hendre Wen with wife Gwen, 24, and sons Cadwaladr, 4, John, 3, and Evan, 1. His father Cadwaladr, a widower aged 80, is described as a retiring farmer. David Roberts, 50, and Wil-liam Robert, 30, were farm labourers. Gwen was born in Llanrhychwyn, everyone else was from Llanrwst.

Thomas Blackwall, 91, and widowed, described as a landowner of 57 acres, lived at Hendre House. He came from Blackwall, Derbyshire. His unmarried daughter Mary, 65, was from Derby, and housekeeper Mary Allen, 56, from London. Housemaid Mary Anne Thorpe, 56, was from Barnsley, the remaining staff were from Llanrwst; Margaret Hughes, 31, a cook, dairy maid Anne Jones, 27, and Morris Williams, 25, footman.

Sovlen and its 110 acres was farmed by Griffith Thomas, 35, with wife Anne, 35, Morris, 9, Anne, 7, and Robert, 10 months old. Robert was born in Llanrwst, other members of the family originated from Pentrefoelas. Farm labourers Robert Jones, 22, and Evan Jones, 16, were from Llanrwst, house servant Mary Hughes, 16, was from Cerrig y Drudion.

Retiring farmer David Roberts, 76, and his brother William, 85, an agricultural labourer, maintained another household at Sovlen. Ellin Roberts, 26, was their house servant. Cadwaladr Roberts, 30, an agricultural labourer, was listed as a visitor. (He had been married to Ellin the previous year, and 1 month old great nephew Robert Roberts was their son. They would soon move to Bryn y Cyplau, Nebo.) William was from Cerrig y Drudion, the others were born in Llanrwst.

The family living at Brynyfawnog were born in Llanrwst. 49 year old Edward Jones farmed 70 acres there with his wife Elizabeth, 47, and children Margaret, 22, Thomas, 20, John, 18, Abel, 14, Robert, 12, Owen, 10, and Evan, 8. Described as a retiring farmer, Edward’s father William, 76, made up the household.

Widowed Margaret Roberts, 76, farmed the 100 acres at Tyddyn Du aided by her son Robert, 30. House servants were her grand daughters Margaret Jones, 15, and Catherine Williams, 12. William Roberts and Robert Roberts, both 18, were employed as farm servants. The whole household was born in Llanrwst.

Mary Jones, 54, farmed 38 acres at her home, Tyddyn Llywarch, with niece Margaret Williams, 15, helping indoors and nephew Henry, 30, working on the farm with David Jones, 16. All came from Llanrwst.

The 120 acre farm of Garth Y Piga was controlled by 53 year old Robert Roberts. He, his wife Elizabeth Roberts, 52, and the family came from Llanrwst. It consisted of Henry, 27, a farm servant, Hannah, 23, Elizabeth, 18, a dressmaker, Elinor, 16, Mary, 14, Evan, 12 and Catherine, 9.

William Williams, 39, farmed 35 acre Ty’n Twll. His wife Jane, 36, was born in Gwytherin, but he and his children were all Llanrwst born. Owen was 14, Elizabeth 13, Jane 10, Elinor 8, Margaret 4 and Robert 1.

Penrallt’s 160 acres were farmed by Evan Lewis, 71, of Llanrwst. Wife Margaret, 52, and house servant Catherine Owens, 23, were from Trewydr, but farm servants Robert Roberts, 21, and Rowland Roberts, 13, were Llanrwst born.

Penmachno born Pierce Griffiths, 52 and widowed, was an agricultural labourer living Rhiwmaenbrith. His children Mary, 14, and Robert, 12, were born in Llanrwst.

Thomas Lloyd, 57, was head of household at Fedw, where he farmed 28 acres. Wife Janet, 53, was born in Betws y Coed, but he and his brother in law William Roberts, 35, came from Llanrwst. Niece Anne Roberts, 31, was born in Llandegai, and their visitor on the day, Elizabeth Charles, 60, came from Pentrefoe-las.

Widow Mary Lloyd, 78, possibly Thomas’ mother, kept another household at Fedw. Born in Eglwysfach, she is described as a late farmer’s wife.

Hendre House Lodge had David Davies, 63, an agricultural labourer, his wife Elizabeth, 48, and daughter Mary, 17, as its residents. All came from Llanrwst.

Living at Rallt Bach was 78 year old William Williams, where he farmed 20 acres. He came from Llanrwst as did his son Thomas, 30, a farm labourer. Williams’ wife Elizabeth, 55, came from Trefriw. House servant Jamima Hughes, 20, came from Llangernyw, and Williams’ grandson Robert, 9, was also Llanrwst born.

Nearby Carneddau housed 43 year old smith John Jones, who came from Llanllechid. His wife Alice, 49, and their children were Llanrwst born. John was 13, Alice 11 and twins Margaret and Catherine were 8 years old.

The second of three families recorded as living at Carneddau was that of Joseph Thomas 36, a joiner from Llanrwst. Wife Margaret, 36, came from Llandegai. Sons Robert, 3, and baby Joseph, 1 month old, were born in Llanrwst. House servant Ian Harker 14 came from Trefriw.

David Davies, 48, and his family was the third household at Carneddau. He worked as a cooper. Wife Ellinor, 25, was born in Ysbyty Ifan. All other family members were Llanrwst born. Their children were Hugh, 2, and Catherine, 1. Granddaughter Margaret Roberts, 12, worked as a servant there.

George Davies was in residence at Cyffdy, aged 62, and described as a landowner of 60 acres, born in Mold. Elizabeth Davies, 52, his sister - also from Mold - had joined him. Nephew Robert Owen Davies, 20, described as a late scholar of Llanrwst, resided there too. 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, Marga-ret Evans of Ysbyty.

A former spinner, Jane Jones, 59 and single, lived on her own at Glanrafon. She was born in Llanrwst.

Eglwysfach born John Jones, 50, an agricultural labourer and his family lived in part of Highgate. His wife Jane, 50, and the rest of the family came from Llanrwst. In addition to sons Robert, 15, and David, 8, his 3 year old grandson John Roberts lived there.

Thomas Owens, 63, a gardener, wife Elizabeth, 55, and son Robert, 13, all from Llanrwst, occupied the other part of Highgate.

Agricultural labourer David Roberts, 44, of Pentrefoelas, lived at Cae Dafydd Llwyd.
With him were his Llanrwst born family, wife Gwen, 39, and children Catherine, 12, Ellen, 7, David, 4, and Robert, 1.

Farming the 56 acres of Ty Gwyn was Robert Williams, 46, wife Letisia, 56, and son Thomas, 15. They and house servant Gwen Jones, 20, were from Llanrwst, with their farm servant Edward Griffiths, 21, coming from Wrexham.

77 year old widower Edward Williams farmed the 90 acre Cae Melwr. His children assisted. Robert, 40, and Thomas, 29, were labourers, with daughters Margaret, 26, and Jane, 24, helping around the home. Catherine Lloyd, 29, worked as a servant. All were Llanrwst born.

The next house is unnamed. Its occupants were annuitant sisters Sarah Williams, 57, and Jane, 56. Jane Roberts, 12, was a house servant there. All were from Llanrwst.

Farming the 42 acres at Hwylfa ddu was Evan Hughes, 53, wife Anne, 50, and their sons Hugh, 27, and William, 14. Daughters Hannah, 9, and Eliza, 6, made up the household. Anne was born in Gwytherin, the rest of the family were from Llanrwst.

Evan Williams, 27, and wife Catherine, 25, both of Llanrwst, farmed the 70 acres at Clytiau Teg.


The above is how the name of the next house was written on the census form.

Cefn y Moch housed farmer Robert Williams, 46, who worked its 80 acres, supported by wife Margaret, 46, and family David, 11, Jane, 7, Alse, 5, and Margaret, 2.

Living on Parish Relief at Cefn Rhydd was widow Margaret Hughes, 64, of Llanrwst.

Both Cefn y Moch and Cefn Rhydd were uninhabited by 1881.

Owen Williams, 41, of Capel Curig farmed the 24 acres at Tan y Graig. His wife Gwen, 39, and family were born in Llanrwst. Margaret was 17, Anne 8, William 5, Jane 4 and Thomas 1. Owen was my great, great grandfather, who would move to Gorsedd Grucyn.

Tyn y Bryn had 16 acres farmed by widower Thomas Humphreys, 80, of Penmachno.
His single son David, 43, worked on the farm, his grand daughter Catherine, 20, of Gwytherin was a house servant and grandson Owen Jones, 12, of Llanrwst was an errand boy.

Griffith Evans, 78 and widowed, farmed the 12 acres at Ty Uchaf. He was from Ysbyty Ifan. His son Griffith, 34, born in Llanrwst, was a farm labourer there, and daughter in law, Aloe, 24, described as a labourer’s wife, came from Penmachno.

Robert Griffiths, 45, of Llanrwst, farmed the 11 acres at Bryn Ty Brith (later known as Bryn Dybrith). Llanrhychwyn born Anne Roberts, 26, was his house servant.

Widow Margaret Evans, 78, of Cerrigydrudion farmed the 11 acres at Glanygors with sons and daughter Hugh, 24, Anne, 26, and Robert, 15, all born in Llanrwst as was her 6 month old grandson John Jones.

David Davies, 39, of Llanwrog farmed the 67 acres of Gorsedd Grycun, with wife Catherine, 32, of Llanfair, and young nephew Price Williams, 4, of Llanbeblig. Robert Jones, 27, of Llanrwst was a farm servant and Jane Williams, 15, of Llanrug, a house servant.

Robert Williams, 50, farmed the 191 acres at Bryniog Uchaf. Daughter Grace, 15, was his house servant. Both were born in Llanrwst.

Widow Jane Jones, 56, of Llanrwst lived alone at Pant y Maes.

The next house, unnamed, was uninhabited. In other censuses, two families lived at Pant y Maes; this may be the dwelling which was unoccupied.

Thomas Jones, 62, and his wife Catherine, 59, lived at Maes Gwyn, which comprised of 55 acres. They were supported by their family; son Thomas, 20, Elinor Evans, 24, and grandson, John Thomas, 2. Margaret Lloyd was a 16 year old servant. All were born in Llanrwst.

Another household which was completely born in Llanrwst lived at the 72 acred Hafoty Fawr. William Edwards, 34, and his wife Elizabeth, 34, had five children. John was 10, Bob 8, William 7, David 2 and Grace 4 months. William Evans, 20, worked on the farm.

The 8 acres of Pen y Nant (Pen Nant) was farmed by William Morris, 47, of Trefnant. His wife Gwen, 37, and children Leah, 1, and Catherine, just 5 days old, were from Llanrwst. Widow Jane Evans, 81, a midwife from Ysbyty Ifan also lived there.

Also recorded at Pen Y Nant was wheelwright John Jones, 56, and his wife Margaret, 40, both from Llanrwst, maintaining a separate household.

Farming the 149 acres of Fronwen, was Robert Edwards, 39, and wife Anne, 28. Their son Robert was 2, and niece and nephew Jane Owens, 7, and John Owens, 4. Visiting them was 69 year old Grace Evans, an annuitant. All were Llanrwst born.

William Williams, 65, and wife Alce, 40 farmed the 9 acres of Bryniog Plas. Evan Robert 26 was a farm servant, and Richard was 13. Jane Jones 16, worked as a house servant. All were from Llanrwst, and visitor David Jones 17, recorded as a beggar, came from Amlwch.

Widow Jane Jones, 56, farmed 5 acres at Tyddyn Gabriel with Jane, 23, her daughter, helping at home. Both came from Llanrwst.

Bryniog Bach had 60 acres. Farming there was Hugh Jones, 36, and wife Margaret, 36, from Llangernyw. Their five children were Anne, 9, Elinor, 6, John, 4, Hugh, 2 and Price, 1 month. Hugh and the children were born in Llanrwst.

Bryniog Isaf housed farm labourer William Jones, 39, wife Margaret, 39, and children Margaret, 11, Mary, 8, Robert, 5, Evan, 3, and Elizabeth, 2 months. All were Llanrwst born.

Chelsea Pensioner Robert Jones, 54, from Llanrwst lived at Tan y Fron. He served with the 1st Life Guards.

John Williams, 61, a labourer, and his wife Margaret, 61, lived at Pentre Uchaf. Both came from Llanrwst.

Living at 1 Tan y Fron were farm labourer Robert Davies, 25, wife Anne, 26, from Caernarfon, and David, 6 months. Robert and David came from Llanrwst.

Next door at no. 2 lived Evan Roberts, 31, a farm labourer from Ysbyty Ifan, wife Margaret, 28, who like her children Catherine, 5, Robert, 3, and William, 1, came from Llanrwst.

Robert Evans, 26, farm labourer, wife Gwen, 29, and daughter Catherine, 6 months, lived at no. 3. All came from Llanrwst.

Farming the 6 acres at Ty Uchaf was Elias Williams, 64, from Llansantffraid. His wife Mary, 59, and daughter Mary, 25, a dressmaker, were from Llanrwst. House servant Mary Jones, 20, was born in Trefriw.

We now reach Melin y Coed, where Thomas Jones, 38, a labourer from Eglwysbach and his family are the first recorded. His wife Anne, 38, and children Robert, 11, Mary, 5, William, 2 and Jane, 4 months, were Llanrwst born.

The next two unnamed houses were unoccupied.

Miller John Williams, 52, of Caernarfon appears next with wife Jane, 45, and children John, 18, and Elizabeth, 13, all from Denbigh.

Mill carrier Robert Evans, 39, of Llangernyw was next door with wife Gwen, 28, and Jane, 3, both from Llanrwst.

Gardener Elias Roberts, 43, of Llanfechain lived at Coetmor. His wife Sarah 45 was from Eglwysfach and daughter Elinor 16, from Llanrwst.

Labourer William Jones, 34, from Eglwysfach and family lived at Ty Hwnt i’r Afon. Anne, 37, his wife and children Jacob, 11, Elizabeth, 9, Jane, 6, and Anne, 2, were all born in Llanrwst.

The next unnamed house was uninhabited.

William Thomas, 68, of Llanrwst lived at Ty’n y Godren and was a basket weaver. His wife Margaret was from Caernarfon.

Stonemason William Davies, 58, lived at Penuchargwyllt with wife Mary 46, and children Catherine 13, Elinor 9, Miriam 7 and David 3. All came from Llanrwst.

Widow Elizabeth Pritchard, 67, of Ty’r Capel was on parish relief. She came from Gwytherin, and her granddaughter Elizabeth Williams, 10, from Llanrwst.

Garth Hebog consisted of 24 acres, and was farmed by John Edwards, 37, servant Jane Evans, 17, widowed brother in law Robert Owens, 43, an annuitant, and nephew Robert Owens, 9. All were born in Llanrwst.

Born in Amlwch, Mary Hughes, 46, farmed the 35 acres of Ty Mawr, with farm servant William Thomas, 29, of Trefriw, house servant Elizabeth Thomas, 19, of Llansantior, and servant John Jones, 16, of Penmachno.

We now reach Nant Y Rhiw, where widower William Evans, 63, and his daughter Catherine, 25, lived. He was a labourer, and she a house servant. Both of Llanrwst.

The next four houses listed were unnamed and uninhabited.

Bryn Capel housed Richard Jones, 71, described as a late farmer independent (means?) and his wife Jane, 59, both of Llanrwst.

Morris Owens, 35, a labourer from Gwytherin, lived at no. 1 Ty Newydd with his wife Anne, 25, of Bala and daughter Anne, 1, of Llanrwst.

William Williams, 81, of Llanrwst, on parish relief, lived at 2 Ty Newydd with his Caernarfon born wife Jane, 86.

3 Ty Newydd housed Margaret Williams, 64, and farm labourer William Jones, 29, both from Llanrwst. Margaret was receiving parish relief.

Widower Thomas Evans, 80, farmed the 20 acres Bryn Beddau with son Evan, 51, and house servant Anne Williams, 60, all from Llanrwst.

Also on parish relief was Elizabeth Roberts, 47. She had two children David, 8, and Catherine, 4. All came from Llanrwst and lived at Foty Bach

Edward Thomas, 37, farmed the 37 acres at Plas Llan (?). He came from Pentrefoelas. His wife Catherine, 35, and children Owen, 12, an errand boy, Anne, 11, Robert, 9, John, 5, and William, 3, were all born in Llanrwst.

Robert Hughes, 38, a farm labourer, lived at Border Uchaf with wife Catherine, 42, and children William, 13, Thomas, 10, Robert, 7, Catherine, 3, and Morris, 1. All were born in Llanrwst.

The 194 acres of Creigiau were farmed by Dolwyddelen born William Jones, 44. His wife Gaenor, 45 and children William, 16, a farm labourer, John, 11, Margaret, 9, David, 5, and Elizabeth, 3 all came from Llanrwst. Farm servant Owen Pritchard, 18, came from Dolwyddelen.

The next two houses were uninhabited.

A family born in Penmachno lived at Graig Goch. Cadwaladr Roberts, 39, worked the land with wife Anne, 37, and children Margaret, 11, Thomas, 8, Jane, 4, Anne, 2, and farm servant William Roberts, 24.

Labourer Robert Williams, 43, lived at Cae Gwyn with wife Jane, 38, and children Jane, 11, Robert, 8, Margaret, 4 and Catherine, 2 months. All were Llanrwst born.

William Roberts, 43, farmed the 140 acres at Penygarnedd, with wife Jane, 40. Living at home were Margaret, 20, Elinor, 10, Jane, 7, Elizabeth, 5 and Catherine, 3.

Edward Roberts 40, a farmer originally from Flintshire and his wife Anne 51 of Eglwysfach lived at Taicandryll which consisted of 33 acres. Their farm servant was Owen Jones 14 of Llanrwst.

Richard Griffiths 40 farmed 47 acres at Corniach with his wife Jane 32, and children Mary 13, Wil-liam 5 and 9 month old Richard. All were from Llanrwst. William Willams 50 worked there, born in Eglwysfach. House servant Mary Evans 20 and visitor Elinor Evans 17 were both from Trefriw.

33 acred Cae Ceiliog was farmed by 66 year old Thomas Jones, and his wife Mary was much his junior aged 30. Residing with them were clerk John Williams 22, a labourer also named John Williams 30 and servant boy William Roberts 16. All were from Llanrwst. Alis Williams 17 of Caernarfon was their house servant.

Edward Williams 48 farmed the 40 acres at Tyn y Caeau with wife Eils 35, and son John 16 is recorded as being employed at home. All Llanrwst born.

Widow Margaret Roberts 63 was on Parish Relief and living at Ty Ucha. Her niece Elinor Jones 10, lived with her. Both were from Llanrwst.

Elinor Roberts 81, a widow was formerly a farmer also lived at Ty Ucha with her daughter Elizabeth Jones 30, a seamstress. Both originally from Derbyshire.

Smith master Thomas Williams 31 of Abergele lived at Smithy House with his Llanrwst born wife Anne 32, recorded as a smith’s wife. Children Margaret 9, Anne 7, Catherine 6, were born in Llansantffraid, but Emma 4 and Thomas 3 were Llanrwst born.

We now visit Pentre Tafarn Fedw, where agricultural labourer Robert Jones 50, lived with his wife Elizabeth 40 and family. This consisted of William 11, Cadwaladr 8, Elizabeth 6, Mary 6 Jane 3 and John 1. All Llanrwst born.

Also recorded at Pentre Tafarn y Fedw was agricultural labourer David Jones 48 of Ffestiniog, wife Mary 48 son John 16 also an agricultural la-bourer, both of Llanrhychwyn, John’s siblings William 13, Owen 10 and Elizabeth 1, all of Llanrwst.

Anne Williams a widow aged 86 and on Parish Relief from Llawryfridd was formerly a labourer’s wife. She lived at Tafarn Y Fedw with relatives Grace 11 of Llanrwst, and Llywelyn Hughes 5 of Llangernyw.

The next three unnamed houses on the census, are recorded as uninhabited.

Ag. lab. Thomas Griffiths 39 Llanrwst and his Pentrefoelas born wife Catherine 40 lived at Bryn Melyn with their children Richard 14 also from Pentrefoelas, Jane 11 and Owen 8, both of Llanrwst. Gwen Hunt 68 a weaver’s wife from Penmachno also resided with them.

The 80 acres of Dyffryn Aur were farmed by widower Robert Roberts 40 of Llanrwst. His house servants were Mary Jones 40 of Rhuddlan, and Anne Williams 17 of Llanrhychwyn and the farm labourers consisted of David Roberts 25 from Llanddoget, Thomas Jones 20 and William Owen 16 both of Llanrwst.

Derwen housed agricultural labourer David Da-vies 44 of Llanrwst and his family. Wife Jane 42, sons William and Edward both 12 were from Ysbyty, and David 3 and John 1 from Llanrwst.

There then followed another unnamed, uninhab-ited part of Derwen.

Also at Derwen was Parish Relief recipient Ann Parry, widow aged 77 from Pentrefoelas and her niece Elinor Davies 11 of Llanrwst.

Another Derwen family was headed by William Davies 42, agricultural labourer of Llanrwst and his wife Jane 34 of Llangernyw. Children David 7, Anne 5 and Mary 9 months were born in Llanrwst.

John Owens 41 farmed the 80 acres at Henblas. He, his wife Catherine 41 and family, were born in Llanrwst. Their children were Abel 12, John 8, Elizabeth G. 6, and Catherine 1. Assisting at Henblas were agricultural servant JohnParry 30, house servant Catherine Davies 35 and general servant Anne Roberts 16. They were also from Llanrwst.

The next three unnamed dwellings were uninhab-ited.

Robert Roberts 37 of Llangerniew farmed 9 acres at Brynhyfryd. His wife and family were born in Llanrwst. Wife Catherine was 36, children Thomas 12, Anne 10 and Griffith 8 months. Another child Charles Roberts 6 months lived there – no relationship is recorded and he was born in Penmachno.

Tan y ffordd had farmer Hugh Roberts 30 as head of the 20 acre property. He came from Abergele, wife Anne 26 from Mochdre, children Edward 5 from Caernarfonshire and Mary 3 months from Llanrwst. General servant Magaret Roberts 14 was from Llangerniew.

Robert Owens 50 of Flintshire, farmed the 45 acres at Penyffordd, with wife Anne 55 from Betws, Abergele. Thomas 26 was a carpenter, Robert 22 and David 19 were agricultural labourers all born in Llangerniew, but daughter Hannah 6 was born in Gwytherin.

Llwynrichiart consisted of 100 acres. Living there was farmer William Evans 35, his brother David 42, an agricultural labourer, with house servant Margaret Owen 25 and at the time, visitor William Morgan 26. All were from Llanrwst.

Fedw housed widow Jane Williams 46 where she farmed with her children Elinor 16, Sarah 11, William 6, Ann 30, recorded as a farmer’s daughter all of Llanrwst and John Williams 17 an agricultural servant of Caernarfonshire.

Llwyngronw consisted of 100 acres and was farmed by David Roberts 38 of Llanrwst, wife Jane 34 of Bryn Eglwys yn Yal, and Llanrwst born children Richard 7, Marie 5, Anne 3 and David 1. His mother Elinor was 77, described as a late farmer’s wife, also from the town.

Henvaes housed farmer of 10 acres, Owen Williams 47 of Llanrwst wife Elisabeth 28 of Pen-machno, and Margaret Thomas 88, recorded as mother of Llanrwst.

The next three unnamed houses were uninhabited.

Labourer’s wife Sarah Jones 45 of Gwytherin lived at Lletyrdriw. She’s recorded as married, her husband was presumably away on census day. She looked after their children David 11, Owen 8, Evan 6 and William 4, all born in Llanrwst.

David Jones 58 of Llangerniew farmed the 80 acres of Rhos Farm, assisted by his wife Elinor 40, William 10, Robert 6 and David 2, all of Llanrwst.

Agricultural labourer Thomas Owens 44 lived at Ty Newydd, with wife Jane 47, agricultural labourer son John 21, dressmaking daughter Margaret 16, sons Robert 11 and Owen 9. Jane was from Pentrefoelas, the remaining family members were all Llanrwst born.

Henffordd housed John Davies 45 who farmed its 36 acres. Caring for him at home and their children was Elinor 42. The family consisted of Thomas 14, Owen 11, David 7, Edwin 5 and 6 month old William, all of Llanrwst. Thomas Davies 66 of Caernarfonshire is recorded as John’s father in law. Lodging with them was Robert Evans, also 66, but from Llanrwst.

The next entry states simply, ’one house building’.

The 30 acres of Hafod y Gilbert was farmed by John Jones 36 of Cerrigydrudion. Wife Elizabeth 36 was born in Llanrwst, as were their children Cadwalader 11, William 8, Owen 6 and Robert 3 months old.

Owen Williams 64 farmed 42 acres at Tyddyn. Wife Elizabeth 47 was from Gwytherin. Owen and his children John, 24, Owen, 17, scholars Jane, 14, and Anne, 10, were from Llanrwst. Also living there were Sarah Wynne, 24, of Llangernyw and Catherine Roberts, 17, of Llansarnau. No relationship or work details were recorded.

Nearby Nantyfedwen housed Gwytherin born agricultural labourer William Hughes, 66, wife Elinor, 47, from Trefriw, and Llanrwst born children, Evan, 10, Jonathan, 8, Maria, 6 and Elisabeth, 2. The last entry for Nantyfedwen is Catherine Jones, child 1 month old from Llanrwst. No relationship quoted.

Farming 40 acres at Pant Glas were Robert Owens, wife Jane, both 47, and children Elinor 19, William 13, Peter 11 and Hannah 6. The whole family were Llanrwst born.

Enumerator, Mr I. Arkham put away his pen after completing the final entry of the 1851 census for Mathebrwd, which relates to Robert Jones 74, a single agricultural labourer of Ysbyty Ifan, Cadwalladr Evans 26 a shepherd from Cerrigydrudion and Ann Owen 42, their housekeeper from Caernarfonshire. They lived at Moelogen.



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1861 CENSUS FOR MELIN Y COED AND ENVIRONS
Transcribed by Ken Davies



Work on building the first underground railway in London had been going for a few months and Florence Nightingale’s first hospital, St Thomas’s, had recently been set up. Newspaper prices were set to fall after the abolition of ‘taxes for knowledge’ duties. Charles Dickens published the first episode of his novel 'Great Expectations'. Mrs Beeton’s ‘Book of Household Management’ was published. Prince Albert, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria died aged 42. Llanrwst’s population in the census was 3,953. Gwilym Cowlyd won the Chair in the National Eisteddfod in Conwy with ‘Mynyddoedd Eryri’.

Census enumerator John Owen paid his first call in Melin y Coed as he recorded census details for the Ty Brith area. Thomas Jones, 30, a mill carrier of Llanrwst, was the first to receive him in the village.

Landed proprietor Hugh Roberts, 53, of Llansannan came next. His wife Jane, 47, daughter Mary, 16, and dairymaid Jane Thomas, 25, all came from Llanrwst.

Highway road labourer William Jones, 78, of Llangernyw lived adjacently with his wife Mary, 67, of Llanrwst.

Corn Miller John Jones, 57, of Barmouth, is listed next with his family consisting of wife Catherine, 58, of Llanfrothen, daughter Margaret, 19, born in Ffestiniog, and recorded as assisting in domestic purposes, son Daniel, 14, of Betws y Coed and granddaughter Anne, 9, of Llanrwst.

Agricultural labourer John Thomas, 41, his wife Catherine, 40, and children Edward, 3, and Catherine, 2, are next recorded – all from Llanrwst.

Evan Roberts, 41, of Pentrefoelas plied his trade as a stone mason in the village. His wife Margaret, 38, came from Ysbyty Ifan, and their children were all Llanrwst born. Catherine, 15, assisted her parents in the home and William, 11, with Ellen, 9, completed the household.

Agricultural labourer Robert Jones, 65, of Llanrwst is recorded next with David Roberts, 52, and his family occupying the same house. He was an agricultural labourer, grocer and flour dealer from Pentrefoelas, whose wife Gwen, 50, daughter Ellin, 17, a shop assistant and son Edward, 4 came from Llanrwst.

That completes the village of Melin y Coed, which did not appear to have any named houses at the time.

Widow Jane Jones, 65, a small farmer and her daughter, Jane, 32, both of Llanrwst, lived at Tyddyn Gabriel.

The 81 acres of Bryniog Bach was farmed by Robert Roberts, 54, of Gwytherin with his wife Grace, 51, of Llanrwst. Children William, 23, Jane, 15, Ellin, 13, and Ann, 11, were Gwytherin born, but Margaret, 8, was born in Llanrwst. Robert Roberts, 18, was a carter and came from Penmachno.

Bryniog y Plas consisted of 90 acres and was farmed by Edward Edwards, 30. He, his wife and family, Hannah, 28, William, 3, and Henry, 9 months, were all from Llanrwst. Carter Owen Thomas, 23, cowman Hugh Jones, 12, and Price, 10, were also born in Llanrwst, although Anne Hughes, 18, their house servant was from Trefriw.

Robert Roberts, 39, farmed the 200 acres of Bryniog Ucha. Living with him then were son John, 7, carter John Davies, 19, all three from Llanfair, and Llanrwst born agricultural labourer Elias Jones, 16, and house servant Jane Jones, 34.

Neighbouring Gorsedd Grycun and its 67 acres was farmed by David Davies, 50, of Llanrug, and his wife Catherine, 42, of Llanfair Is Faen. Assisting them were cowman Pierce Davies, 14, of Llanbeblig and dairy maid Jane Thoma,s 19, of Llanrwst.

The Maes Gwyn household were all born in Llanrwst. Robert Hughes, 29, farmed its 60 acres, with wife Margaret, 29, who also cared for Anne, 1. An aunt, Mary Jones, 65, carter William Jones, 18, and house servant Elizabeth Jones, 14, completed the household.


Above: Maes Gwyn

Agricultural labourer Edward Thomas, 47, lived at Pant Y Maes with daughter Anne, 21, who kept house for him, Evan, 9, and Edward, 7. The family were all born in Llanrwst.

Foty Mawr consisted of 55 acres, which was farmed Robert Williams, 60. Anne Hughes, 27, was the dairy maid, David Roberts, 19, the carter and Robert Roberts, 13, the cowman. Again, all were Llanrwst born.

Wheelwright John Jones, 55, and wife Jane, 57, both of Llanrwst, are also recorded at Pant y Maes, with Foty Mawr registered in between.

Farming the 9 acres at Pen Y Nant we had Hugh Jones, 49, wife Margaret, 47, and children Mary, 23, Price, 10, Margaret, 6, Elizabeth, 2, and William, 1 month – all from Llanrwst.


Above: Pen Nant

Rhiw Maen Brith was occupied by William Williams, 76, a retired farmer from Llanrwst and his wife Alice, 52, of Yspyty Ifan.

Robert Edwards, 49, was head of the Fron Wen household, and farmed its 20 acres. Wife Ann was 41, and children Robert 11, John 3, Elinor 6, and William 6 months. All were from Llanrwst. Jane Jones, 69, also from the town, was lodging there and was formerly a farmer.

Tan y Graig housed a family which would move to live in Gorsedd Grucyn. Owen Williams, 51, of Penmachno, an agricultural labourer with a holding of 22 acres lived there with wife Gwen, 49, who with children Catherine, 21, a house servant at home, Ann, 18, a dressmaker, Jane, 13, Thomas, 11, Robert, 9 and Hannah, 4, were all born in Llanrwst.

William Morris, 58, lived at Bryn y Gwynt and farmed its 43 acres. He came from Ysbyty. The remaining members of his household came from Llanrwst. Wife Gwen was 49, Leah 11 and Robert Roberts 10 was a young cowman.

Neighbouring Bryn Ty Brith comprised of agricultural labourer Griffith Williams 59 of Penmachno, wife Elizabeth 36, and children Jane 5 and Mary 1, all Llanrwst born.

Ty’n y Bryn had 17 acres of land, farmed by David Humphreys 53. Catherine Jones 34 was his house servant and 8 year old Michael Roberts was visiting there. All were Llanrwst born.


Above: Ty'n y Bryn extreme left, with outbuilding and Bryn y Gwynt on right.

Cefn Rhydd was occupied by widow Margaret Hughes 74 and her son William 52, an agricultural labourer. Both came from Llanrwst.

William Jones, 34, an agricultural labourer from Llanrwst, lived at Cefn Moch. His wife Margaret, 29, and daughter Mary, 16, were born in Ysbyty Ifan. Jane 8, Margaret 5 and Catherine 2, like their father, were born in Llanrwst.

The 160 acres of Clytiau Teg was farmed by Morris Roberts, 81, his wife Margaret, 75, son John, 31. Employed there were Jonathan Jones, 14, as a shepherd, and Elizabeth Jones, 24, a house servant. She was born in Ysbyty Ifan, but the rest of the household were born in Llanrwst. This included Thomas Hughes, 20, an agricultural labourer, who was visiting at the time.

Hwylfa Ddu is the next property recorded. Here we find Evan Hughes, 64, farming its 42 acres and wife Ann, 60, of Llanfair Tal Haearn. Son Robert was 26 and daughter Elizabeth 16, both born in Llanrwst as was their father.

Agricultural labourer Morris Jones, 60, lived at Fotty Bach with wife Margaret, 51, and son Isaac, 8. All were Llanrwst born.

Husband and wife Evan Evans, 62, and Jane, 57, farmed the 20 acres at Bryn Beddau. Both were from Llanrwst, but Margaret L Jones, 11, their house servant, was from Gwytherin.

Penmachno born Robert Roberts, 35, of Creigiau Hwch farmed its 160 acres. Wife Anne, 47, and family Robert, 12, Catherine, 19, Margaret, 9 and John, 8, were Llanrwst born.

A Llanrwst family lived at Cae Gwyn. Robert Williams, 53, was an agricultural labourer with wife Jane, 48, Margaret, 14, and Catherine, 10.

Cadwaladr Jones 50 of Penmachno lived at Craig Goch with wife Mary, 52, Thomas, 18, William, 8, Margaret, 14, all of Llanrwst. Daughter Ann, 12, was born in Penmachno.
Living with them were Mary Pritchard, 7, an agricultural labourer’s daughter and Elizabeth Williams, 3, a weaver’s daughter, both born in Llanrwst.

Robert Hughes, 48, an agricultural labourer lived at Fodlas (?) (Short for Hafod Las perhaps?) with wife Catherine, 52, and family, Catherine, 14, a house servant, and Morris, 10. All were Llanrwst born.

A complete household of Llanrwst born people resided at Penrallt. John Owens,41, farmed its 100 acres, with wife Sarah, 31, and family Thomas, 8, Edward, 6, Mary, 4 and Margaret, 1. William Jones, 25, was employed as a carter, Robert Roberts, 24, a labourer, Adelaide House, 22, a dairymaid and Elizabeth Roberts, 16, a house servant. Visiting them were Jane Rees, 23, a house maid and Elizabeth J Jones, 10, recorded as a daughter.

Thomas Lloyd, 60, of Llanrwst farmed the 28 acres of Fedw with his wife Jannet, 62, of Betws Y Coed, where her brother William Roberts, 64, a labourer, was also born. Dressmaker Anne Jones, 39, of Llandegai and Rhys Jones, 33, a carpenter of Llanrwst were Thomas’ niece and nephew respectively.

William Williams 50 of Llanrwst farmed the 90 acres of Ty’n Twll. His wife Jane, 47, was from Gwytherin, but all the children were Llanrwst born. Owen was 25, Elinor and Margaret both 15 and Robert 12. Carter John Jones, 50, also came from Llanrwst.


Above: Outbuilding at Tyn Twll

Garth y Piga housed Robert Roberts, 62. He was widowed and farmed its 120 acres with his family Evan, 21, Ellin, 25, Mary, 23, Catherine, 19 and cowman labourer John Thomas, 15. All were from Llanrwst.

Two of the four houses recorded as Nant Y Rhiw were uninhabited.

The exceptions were Evan Roberts, 35, an agricultural labourer, his wife Catherine, 31, and children Robert, 5, and Elizabeth, 2. Catherine was from Gwytherin, the others from Llanrwst.

The other family, all of Llanrwst, were Robert Jones, 36, agricultural labourer, wife Alice, 30, and children Ellen, 9, Jane, 7, John, 5 and Griffith, 3.

Stone mason William Davies, 69, wife Mary, 57, and daughter Catherine, 23, a dressmaker, lived at Penbryn Capel. All were from Llanrwst.

Ty Newydd, Nant y Rhiw had Bala born Margaret Williams, 76, in residence with Llanrwst born agricultural labourer William Jones, 39.

Owen Jones, 56, formerly an agricultural labourer, lived at Ysgubor Ucha with wife Elizabeth, 58, of Trefriw and Griffith, 13, also from the village. Owen and daughter Elizabeth, 16, were Llanrwst born.

Yr Oerfa was occupied by agricultural labourer John Jones, 66, wife Sarah, 55, and Catherine, 14, all of Llanrwst.

Penygarnedd consisted of 60 acres farmed by William Roberts, 54, wife Jane, 51, Elizabeth, 12, Mary, 9, and Anne, 7. Again, all were from Llanrwst.

The enumerating is now handed over to Owen Jones of Berthddu.

He commenced at Caer Berllan, where Hugh Hughes, 44, farmed its 28 acres. He and wife Anne, 41, came from Eglwysbach. Daughter Margaret, 14, was from Maenan, and the rest of the household from Llanrwst. Hugh was 12, John 2 and carter Richard Jones 22.

Groesffordd Berthddu had weaver of blankets and farmer John Owens, 47, as head of household although the first entry for the home was William Owens, 71, a boarder and himself a weaver of blankets. Both were Llanrwst born. John’s wife Hannah, 42, was from Caernarfonshire, and children William, 7, Eleanor, 4, and Mary, 2, from Llanrwst.

Ty Gwyn consisted of 60 acres. Living there were Robert Williams, 53, of Llanrwst, wife Margaret, 50, of Capel Curig, son Thomas, 25, of Llanrwst and Ann Evans, 20, no employment recorded, of Dolwyddelen.

Elizabeth Roberts was 43, came from Capel Garmon and is recorded as a labourers’ wife. She lived at Cae Dafydd Llwyd. Margaret Roberts, 76, of Llanrwst, a boarder of independent means, also lived there. A Rowland Jones, 12, of Llanrwst is recorded as Elizabeth’s son. Her other children were John Rowlands, 9, Margaret, 7, Evan, 3 all of Llanddoget, and Elinor, 4, of Llanbedr.

Richard Jones, 56, of Llanrhychwyn, worked in a mine. He lived at Highgate with his wife Jane, 55, of Betws y Coed and a Llanrwst family consisting of William ,23, Hugh, 14, Edward, 12, Margaret, 19, Grace, 10, and 6 month old Margaret Williams noted as daughter and born in Liverpool.

Carter Evan Williams, 53 and widowed, was head of household at Kyffdy Lodge Gatehouse. Quarry man David Roberts, 33, and his wife Grace, 36, and daughter Mary, 4, lived with him. David was from Llanbedr, the others from Llanrwst.

Also recorded at the Gatehouse were Eleanor Parry, 23, a labourer’s wife – husband not present - and children Hugh, 1, and William just 1 week old, all from Llanrwst.

Joiner and farmer of 16 acres Joseph Thomas, 46, and wife Margaret, 45, lived at Carneddau. She was born in Capel Curig, but Joseph and children were Llanrwst born. Robert was 13, Sarah 8, and Joseph 4. Dairymaid Jane Roberts, 39, was also from Llanrwst.

Thomas Williams, 40, of Llanrwst was head of household at Rallt Bach which consisted of 50 acres. Elizabeth Williams, 80, of Trefriw, was a landed proprietor and boarded there. Llanrwst born carter Robert Williams, 21, and dairymaid Jemimah Williams, 28, of Llanrgernyw made up the household.

Hendre House Gatehouse is next listed, occupied by David Davies, 75, a cowman from Llanrwst, Elizabeth, 57, of Capel Garmon and grandson David, 11, of Llanrwst.

Garth yr Efail and Oakland Mansion are both noted as uninhabited,

Pentrefoelas born Griffith Thomas, 43, farmed 120 acres at Soflan. His wife Anne, 43, children Maurice, 19, and Anne, 17, were born in Aber, whereas Robert, 14, John,, 10, Margaret 8, Jane, 5 and Evan, 1, were all born in Llanrwst.

Bryn y Fawnog and its 75 acres was farmed by widow Edward Jones, 60, and family, Margaret, 32, Abel, 23, Owen, 18 and dairymaid Alice Williams, 16, all of Llanrwst.

Tyddyn Du was farmed by William Jones, 34, who managed the 20 acres there, with wife Elizabeth, 23, David, 8, and house servant Elizabeth Pugh, 17. All were born in Llanrwst.

Thomas Jones, 30, farmed 40 acres at Tyddyn Llywarch with wife Grace, 22, housemaid Gwen Roberts, 17, and labourer Owen Roberts, 13. All of Llanrwst.

Hendre House was recorded as being occupied by John Blackwell, Esq., aged 71, Landed Proprietor born in Manchester. His wife Jane (born in Aberystwyth) was 43. Their son John Blackwall was 24 and single, son Thomas Blackwall was 15 and still at school, and daughter Frances was 18 and single; all were recorded as having been born in Garth Garmon. Their servants were Mary Jones from Eglwysbach, Housemaid, 33 and single; Barbara Williams from Ysbytty Ifan, Dairy Maid, 28 and also single, Jane Davies of Capel Curig, Cook, 24 and single, and Evan Williams of Garth Garmon, 22, a bachelor, working as a footman. Jane, the wife of John Blackwall, died on the 4 September, 1867 aged 49

Widower Henry Roberts 37 lived at Hendre Wen with his children Margaret E.R. 5, and Robert 3. Housekeeper was Elizabeth Roberts, 37, carter was David Thomas, 24, William Rowlands, 14, was a labourer on the farm and Margaret Jones, 20, the dairymaid. All were Llanrwst born.

Plas Tirion housed farmer John Evans, 25, and his wife Grace, 26. They had two children, William, 2, and John, 7 months. Boarding with them was John Evans, 54, of independent means and Catherine Evans, 15, described as an independent girl. Jane Jones, 27, was a house and dairy maid and Matthew Evans, 16, an agricultural labourer. All were from Llanrwst.

There is no entry at all by the property called Oakland.

Siamberwen and its 100 acres were farmed by William Roberts, 59, wife Margaret, 52, with family Mary, 28, Hannah, 21, all born in Llanrwst, Evan, 11 born Capel Garmon. Evan Roberts, 52, a retired farmer born in Llanrwst, boarded with them, John Jones, 21, their carter, was from Llanrhychwyn, agricultural labourer Aaron Jones, 11, was from Capel Garmon, and dairymaid Alice, 20, from Llanrwst.

Joiner and wheelwright John Hughes, 46, came from Penmachno and lived at Pwllmonyn. His wife Margaret, 47, and family were Llanrwst born. Sarah was 17, Edward 15, Margaret 9 and John 7. John Jones, 60, of Caerhun was lodging there.

We now leave Ty Brith and join William Davies, who was given the task of enumerating Mathebrwd district.

William Williams, 27, a miller and his family got him underway. He lived at Felin Ucha and was married to Margaret, 28. They had one son John, 5 months old. All were from Llanrwst.

Also recorded at Felin Ucha was miller’s carrier William Roberts, 42, his wife Margaret, 46 and son Hugh, 15, all of Llanrwst.

David Davies, 55, an agricultural labourer, headed another Llanrwst born family. He lived at Derwen Rwsh (?) with wife Jane, 54, William, 22, David, 13, John, 12 and Jane, 6.

Also registered at the property was William Davies, 52, also an agricultural labourer, his wife Jane, 45, and daughter Mary, 11, all from Llanrwst.

Another couple recorded here were Thomas Evans 80, an agricultural labourer from Llanrwst, and his wife Jane, 76, from Betws y Coed.

Llanddoget born Robert Wynne, 28, farmed Garth. His wife Margaret, 24, and 8 month old son Thomas were both from Llanrwst.

Attorney Richard James, 31, from Llanfihangel, Cardiganshire resided at Dyffryn Aur, with wife Ann, 38, from Cheltenham, son Thomas, 17, of Cardigan, cook Margaret Jones, 24, of Llanrwst and house maid Hannah Jones, 17, from Llanddoget.

Thomas Griffith, 40, of Bryn Melin was a labourer from Llanrwst. His wife Jane, 38, came from Llanrhychwyn, son John Roberts 10 and daughter Anne Roberts 8 from Llandudno, Thomas Griffiths, 2, and 10 day old Mary Griffiths from Llanrwst. Their general servant Elin Roberts, 57, was born in Ysbyty.

Owen Williams, 25, a labourer, lived at Ty Canol. He and his children were Llanrwst born. Wife Ann, 27, came from Gwytherin, and their children were William, 5, and Ann, 2.

Labourer David Jones, 59, from Eglwysfach lived at Ty Pella with wife Mary, 58, from Llanrhychwyn and Llanrwst born children William, 22, and Owen, 19, both labourers. Visitor Catherine Jones was from Maenan – no age recorded for her.

William Jones, 36, a labourer from Llangernyw lived at Hen Efail with wife Ellen, 34, from Trefriw. Their family, consisting of Alice, 16, Ellin, 8, Mary, 6, Jane, 4 and Elizabeth, 2, were all born in Llanrwst.

Widow and landed person Ellen Jones, 49, resided at Ty Canol with her family. William, 19, and George, 16, were both labourers, Jane was 13, David 10, Mary 8 and Anne 2. All were born in Llanrwst.

Smith Edward Edwards, 23, from Yspyty Ifan, also lived at Ty Canol. His wife Catherine, 30, daughter Margaret, 2, house servant Ann Roberts, 16, and visiting scholar Elizabeth Jones, 11, were all from Llanrwst.

Ty Cynta’ is next recorded containing agricultural labourer John Williams, 59, of Llanrwst and his family. Wife Elizabeth, 45, was from Holyhead and children Catherine, 11, and Elizabeth, 9, were from Llanrwst.

Blacksmith Henry Jones, 30, of Trefriw, lived at Hen Siamber. His wife Elizabeth, 21, and children David, 4, and John, 1, were Gwytherin born.

Dressmaker Elizabeth Jones, a widow aged 51, lived at Ty Ucha with daughters Elizabeth, 22, a housemaid, Jane, 10, and son Robert, 20, a shoemaker. They all came from Llanrwst. Lodging there were William Hughes, 30, also a shoemaker, from Llanystumdwy, and farmer Thomas Jones, 72, of Llanrwst.

Tyn Caeau housed widower Edward Williams, 53, and daughter Elizabeth, 22, both of Eglwysfach. Grandson Edward was 8 months old and John, 22, noted as son was a carter. Both were Llanrwst born. Housemaid Ann Davies, 14, was from Eglwysfach.

Farming 59 acres at Corniach was John Jones, 64, of Llanrwst, wife Catherine, 56, of Dolwyddelen, son William, 20, an agricultural labourer from Llanrwst. Evan Evans, 18, worked as a carter from Aber, and Catherine Edwards, 18, a dairymaid from Yspyty.

Edward Roberts, 50, of Gwaenasgor farmed 14 acres at Cae Candrell. Wife Anne, 63, was from Eglwysfach and son Owen, 24, an agricultural labourer from Llanrwst, as was dairymaid Catherine Evans, 14.

Labourers widow Jane Jones, 54, of Llanbedr lived on her own at Rhyd Lechog.

Tyddyn Oesla/Oerfa (?) housed John Jones, 70, of Llanrwst who farmed its 8 acres with Anglesey born wife Anne 69.

Tyn y Ffordd Bach housed farmer’s widow Catherine Evans, 79, and son David Evans, 33, a labourer both of Llanrwst

Labourer Owen Ellis, 32, of Llanfair lived at Ty Capel with Llnarwst born family of wife Mary, 28, Margaret, 4, and John, 2.

The Chapel is listed next.

Tai Newyddion housed labourer Robert Jones, 58, wife Gwen, 60, Benjamin, 28, and Jeremiah, 20, both wheelwrights, and Anne, 34, a midwife. All were Llanrwst born.

Farming 130 acres at Bryn Syllty was John Owens, 59, of Llandegai, Bangor born wife and children Mary, 60, William, 26, and John, 16, both agricultural labourers, and grandson John, 7. Brother in law John, 26, was from Llanrwst and his daughter Jane, 20, from Bangor. William Thomas, 21, also from Bangor and Katherine Richards, 14, of Llanrwst made up the household.

Cae Ceiliog had 33 acres. Farming it was Thomas Jones, 70, of Llanrwst, and his much younger wife Mary, 37, and daughter Elinor, 9, both also from Llanrwst. Thomas Edwards, 33, of Yspyty was a carter, Robert Williams, 17, an agricultural labourer from Llanddoget and Elinor Davies, 22, a dairymaid from Llanrwst.

Robert Evans, 36, was a labourer living at Hen Odin with wife Gwen, 34, and children Catherine, 10, Margaret, 8, William, 4, and Jan1 – all from Llanrwst.

Hen Odin also housed widow Mary Roberts, 45, a charwoman who was born in Cerrigydrudion. Son Robert, 19, was a blacksmith and Mary Jones, 48, an almswoman. Both were from Conway.

Dolwyddelen born Gaynor Jones, 56, was a widow farming 20 acres at Coed y Brain, with her son David Jones, 15, an agricultural labourer born in Llanrwst.

Gwern Rhush (Rhisk/Rhisgl?) consisted of two households. James Roberts 49, a labourer, wife Margaret, 49, and son Samuel, 14, who were all from Llanrwst.

The other people there were David Roberts, 59, an agricultural labourer and wife Elizabeth, 56, both of Llanrwst.

A household born in Llanddoget lived at Poethfoel. David Hughes, 48, farmed its 48 acres, with wife Jane, 32, John, 7 and Mary, 3. Brother William, 58, was an agricultural labourer.

Tan y Bryn housed labourer Hugh Jones, 83, from Amlwch and Catherine, 76, from Anglesey.

Garth yr Hwylbren consisted of 50 acres farmed by Robert Foulks, 51, wife Ann, 52, and carter Harry Rees. All came from Llanrwst.

Ty’n Twll’s household were all Llanrwst born. William Jones, 50, farmed its 40 acres, with wife Dorothy, 49, William, 21, Price, 14, Lynch, 7, Mary Roberts, 7, and domestic servant Margaret Jones, 18.

Bwlch y Gwynt had 5 acres farmed by Morris Evans, 49, of Llanrwst, wife Mary, 39, from Llanllechid, his brother John Evans, 34, an agricultural labourer, William Hughes, 23, a carter, both of Llanrwst, and dairymaid Jane Hughes, 23, of Llanllechid.

Magistrate Robert Moulsdale, 55, of Llanrwst lived at Bryn Dyffryn with wife Janet H., 53, from Amlwch. Their son Robert O., 18, of Llandegan was a Member of Oxford University. Housemaid was Elizabeth Jones, 21, of Penmachno, dairymaid Jane Robets, 18, of Capel Curig and groom Thomas Williams, 18, of Maenan.

Widower William Roberts, 78, of Bettws y Coed farmed 139 acres at Ty Cerrig. He was assisted by Robert Roberts, 40, labourer, and Anne, 36, a general servant. They and nephew John, 14, were from Llanrwst, niece Jane Davies, 6, was from Llansantffraid.

Coed Llydan Bach housed lawyer Noah Jones, 29, wife Elizabeth, 35, both of Llanrhychwyn, daughter Lettitia, 1, and house servant Jane Jones, 13, both of Llanrwst.

Labourer’s widow Ellin Jones, 30, lived at Ysgoldy with Robert, 2, and Elizabeth, 11 months. All were Llanrwst born.

Coed Llydan Canol had a widow of independent means living there. Elizabeth Griffiths, 67, and her house servant, Mary Griffiths, 29, were both of Llanrwst.

Farming Coed Llydan was John Jones, 67, who managed its 48 acres with wife Jane, 58, and children John, 27, a carter, Catherine, 34, a dairymaid, Michael, 16, an agricultural labourer, and Lynch B Jones, 8. Jane Davies, 18, was their dairymaid. All were Llanrwst born.

William Davies, 51, wife Ann, 51, and daughters Ann, 12, and Margaret, 8, lived at Pont y Clwt. All were Llanrwst born.

Shop Bethel was housed by grocer William Jones, 29, Ann, 26, Catherine, 5, Evan L., 3, and Elizabeth, 1. House maid was Mary Jones, 17. All were born in Llanrwst.

Milliner’s widow Jane Williams, 58, lived at Ty Capel with her brother Robert Jones, 39, also widowed and his children John, 10, and Ellen, 7. All were from Llanrwst.

Labourer Owen Jones, 61, wife Elizabeth, 61, and daughter Elizabeth, 28, a milliner, lived at Ty Bethel. All were born in Aber.

Sychbant housed miller Cadwalladr Evans, 52, wife Barbara, 47, from Trefriw. Her husband and children were Llanrwst born. Owen was 13, Jane 10, Mary A 8 and Morris L 6.

Ty Newydd was home to William Williams, 25, wife Anne, 28, from Gwytherin. Their children and William were Llanrwst born. John was 5, Price 3, Thomas 2, Robert 1 and Abel 2 months.

Hugh Williams continued with the enumeration from this point. His first call was to Ty’n Y Ffordd where he met William Hughes, 37, farming the 20 acres there, his wife Jane, 36, John, 12, and Robert, 9. All were from Llanfair.

Henblas housed John Owens, 50, who farmed the 80 acres there with wife Catherine, 49, family Abel, 21, a husbandman, John, 18, a carter, Elizabeth, 16, and Catherine, 11. There were two John Joneses working there as general servants; one was 15 and the other 13. Elizabeth Roberts, 18, was a dairymaid. Everybody was born in Llanrwst.

William Evans, 45, farmed the 120 acres at Llwyn Richard/Rhisiart with dairymaid Elinor Jones, 19. Both of Llanrwst.

Widow Jane Williams, 56, was responsible for farming the 50 acres at Fedw, widowed daughter Grace Evans, 33, son William Williams, 18, a carter, all from Llanrwst, and Richard Jones, 15, a servant from Llanllechid.

Llwyn Gronw was famed by David Roberts, 49, who cared for its 100 acres. His wife Jane, 45, had raised Richard, 17, a carter, Morris, 15, a farm servant, Isaac, 13, David, 11, Ellen, 9, William, 5, and Margaret, 1. All were from Llanrwst.

Tyddyn Ucha consisted of 42 acres and was farmed by Thomas Owens, 55, Jane, 57, Robert, 21, a carter, and Owen, 19, all of Llanrwst. Ellinor Roberts, 17, was their dairymaid from Llangernyw.

Owen Williams, 60, from Penmorfa farmed 10 acres at Henfaes with wife Elizabeth, 40. They had a 9 month old daughter Margaret. Both females were Llanrwst born.

Ty Newydd had 8 acres. Living there were Robert Hughes, 75, of Llanrwst, wife Ellinor, 54, of Capel Curig and niece Jane, 8, of Eglwysbach.

Llandegfan born Hugh Roberts, 38, farmed 300 acres at Pennant. His wife Grace, 34, was from Llanfihangel, daughter Grace, 12, from Llanddeusant, Jane, 6, Hugh, 8, William, 4 and Edward, 2, were from Llanrwst.

Bangor born Owen Owens, 24, an agricultural labourer with his family born in Llanrwst, lived at Pennant. Wife Jane was 28, William 3 and Catherine 1.

Mole catcher Hugh Evans, 33, and his wife Elizabeth, 32, of Llanrwst lived at Pen y Bryn.

Charwoman Elinor Jones, 39 and widowed, from Llanllechid, lived at Bron Hyfryd with her children Elizabeth,, 11, William E. 8, Mary A, 4, of Llangernyw and Elias, 2, born in Llanrwst.

Hafod Gilbert’s 38 acres was overseen by John Jones, 48, of Cerrigydrudion. His wife Elizabeth, 46, and children Cadwaladr, 22, Robert, 9, and Jane, 2, were all Llanrwst born.

Robert Owens, 56, farmed 55 acres at Pant Glas with wife Jane, 54, Ellinor, 29, Peter, 19, William, 23, and Hannah, 16. All were from Llanrwst.


Above: Pant Glas

Farm bailiff William West, 61, of West Haddon, Northants lived at Moelogan Bach with wife Mary, 48, from Solihull, Warwickshire.

Landowner John Owens, 58, from Birmingham lived at Moelogan Fawr. It also housed farm bailiff Samuel Holloway, 27, from Smethwick, his wife Sarah, 26, from Hasbury, and son Thomas, 3, from Smethwick.

Pen y Ffrith had another farm bailiff and his family living there. Lewis Jones, 36, wife Gwen, 34, and son Evan Lewis, 11, were all Llanrwst born.

Farming 60 acres at Bryn Hyfryd was Robert Roberts, 45, of Llangernyw. His wife and children Catherine, 46, Griffith, 10, Sarah, 7, Michael, 5, and Anne, 2, were all from Llanrwst.

Penmachno born Robert Roberts, 55, farmed 15 acres at Nant y Fedwen, with his wife Catherine, 44, from Dolwyddelen, children Richard, 14, and Anne, 10, from Llangernyw, and David, 7, of Llanrwst.

Rhwngyddwyffordd housed agricultural labourer Thomas Roberts, 48, of Llangernyw, wife Mary, 46, Ann, 15, Owen, 11, Edward, 6, John, 4, Catherine, 3 and David, 7 all born in Llanrwst.

Glan y Gors had 60 acres farmed by David Evans, 55, wife Catherine, 45, and son John, 3, all of Llanrwst. Robert Jones, 16, a carter from Gwytherin also lived there.

Ffestiniog born Robert Davies, 80, farmed the 120 acres at Farmyard. His wife Elizabeth, 71, Robert, 61, recorded as brother, was a houseman, David Evans, 15, a carter and Anne Evans, 17, a dairymaid; all came from Eglwysbach.

Rhos Farm and its 80 acres was managed by David Jones, 47, wife Elinor, 51, William, 20, Robert, 16, both carters, and David, 11, all of Llanrwst.

Y Benffridd was 36 acres. Farming there were John Davies, 53, wife Ellinor, 51, Thomas, 24, Owen, 21, Edward, 15 and William, 10, all of Llanrwst.



Enumerator had an easy call on the conclusion of the census for Mathebrwd in 1861, which was to Llety Driw. It was uninhabited.


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CENSUS RETURNS FOR 1871
Transcribed by Ken Davies


On the 29th March, Queen Victoria opened the Royal Albert Hall. In June, an underwater electric cable connecting Shanghai and London, via San Francisco, is opened. Lewis Carroll writes ‘Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There’, the sequel to ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. Anna Sewell wrote ‘Black Beauty’. Charles Dickens had died the previous year. In November, Dr David Livingstone was found alive near Lake Tanganyika, by Welshman Henry Morton Stanley. The population of Llanrwst district was given as 3,767. We shall join Robert Williams on his travels as he records the residents of the Tybrith area of Llanrwst.

The first entry for Melin Y Coed is annotated Ty Uchaf. There are no further house names recorded in the hamlet of Melin Y Coed.

Hugh Roberts 63 heads the household. He was born in Llansan and was a coinfactor and landowner. His wife Jane 57 and daughter Mary J, 26 housekeeper were from Llanrwst. Edward Hughes 21 was a miller from Ysgeifiog, and Michael Roberts 16,a mill carrier from Llanrwst.

Stonemason Evan Roberts 50 of Pentrefoelas, wife Margaret 47 from Yspyty William Evans 21 and Eleanor Roberts 17, no employments recorded, were both of Llanrwst.

Slate quarryman William Roberts 25 of Capel Garmon and his family were recorded next. His wife Catherine 25, and children Robert 2 and Margaret 10 months were all born in Llanrwst.

The next residence was uninhabited.

Widow Margaret Jones 59, a former laundress from Capel Garmon, lived on her own.

Thomas Jones 40 was a basket maker. He and his children Elizabeth 6 and Jane 3 were born in Llanrwst and his wife Anne 44 came from Gwytherin.

Master cooper David Davies 65 of Llanddoget was recorded next, with his wife Eleanor 39 of Gwytherin. Children John 10, Mary 6 and Margaret 3 were born in Llanrwst. Also born there was lodger William Evans 83, an agricultural labourer.

The next residence was uninhabited.

Catherine Thomas 50 of Capel Garmon was living with her children Edward 13 and Jane 9. Her husband was not at home on the evening of the census.

Stonemason William Davies 79 and wife Mary 66 lived next door, and were both from Llanrwst.

Farm bailiff Robert Jones 35 of Llanrwst lived with his wife Mary 37, of Capel Garmon.

Widowed laundress, Alice Williams 44 came from Capel Garmon, and daughter Margaret 10, was born in Capel Curig.

Another widow, who was also a laundress was recorded next. Eleanor Williams 47 and her eldest daughter Elizabeth 23, housemaid were born in Llanddoget, but sons Richard 13 and Michael 10, were from Llanrwst.

Widow Margaret Williams 81, with neither current nor former employment recorded was from Llanfihangel. Her granddaughter Sarah Lewis 19 a dressmaker, was born in Liverpool.

The household of Thomas Vaughan 50, a coachman and domestic servant from Corwen is the final entry for Melin Y Coed hamlet. His wife Margaret 35 and children William 9, George 7, Anne 5 and Samuel 3, were all born in Llanrwst.

Outside the hamlet, we move on to Penucha’r Gwyllt, the home of agricultural labourer John Williams 37 of Gwytherin. He also farmed 4 acres. His wife Jane 36, children Alice 7, Jane 5, Elizabeth 3 and John 9 months, were born in Llanrwst. Mother in law Alice Jones 69 and widowed was from Llanllechid.

Ty Mawr was farmed by Lewis Jones 59 of Yspyty. Wife Catherine 51 and son David E 29 were born in Llanrwst. David’s wife Elizabeth E. 23 was born in Birkenhead, their daughter Elizabeth C 3 in Liverpool. They had moved to this part of the world around 1869 when their other daughter Eleanor M 2 was born in Llanrwst. Lewis’ brother Ellis Jones 70 and widowed, of Yspyty lived with the family.

Farmer and landowner John Owen 23 lived at Garthebog. Assisting him were farm servant Henry Williams 40 and general servant Alice Jones 30, all from Llanrwst.

Farming 40 acres at Fedw was Thomas Williams 55 of Llanrwst. His niece Jemima 32 of Llangerniew was the dairymaid, nephew Robert 30 of Llanrwst a farm servant, whose wife Mary 28 came from Capel Garmon. They had two children, both born in Llanrwst, Elizabeth 5 and William 2.

Rhiwbrith and its 65 acres was farmed by Robert Owen 51 of Trewydr. His wife and family were all born in Dolwyddelen. Mary was 49 and children Jane 19, William 17, Catherine 15, Eleanor 12, Robert 9 and Janet 6.

Widow, landowner and farmer Jane Jones 79 lived at Fron Wen, with widowed daughter Anne Edwards 51 and Anne’s son John 13. All were Llanrwst born.

John Jones 70, a wheelwright and his wife Jane 76, both of Llanrwst, lived at Nant y Rhiw.

Agricultural labourer Evan Roberts 44, wife Catherine 40 and children Elias 9 and Eliza 5 lived at Bryn Capel. Lodging there was William Jones 50, an unemployed agricultural labourer. All were Llanrwst born.

Retired farmer William Williams 86 of Llanrwst lived at Ty Newydd, with his wife Alice 63 of Yspyty.

Brynbeddau was the home of David Thomas 34 who farmed 19 acres and wife Jane 29 of Pentrefoelas. Daughter Elizabeth 4 was from Llanrwst.

Farming 120 acres at Garth y Piga was Robert Roberts 74 and brother Evan 60, a retired farmer. Living with him were his family consisting of widowed daughter Elizabeth 37, Evan 31, Eleanor 35, Mary 33, grandchildren Elizabeth 6 and Robert 4. Richard and 21 and Elias 14 were farm servants. All were Llanrwst born.

Tyn Twll consisted of 65 acres farmed by William Williams 60, who was blind, wife Jane 56 from Gwytherin, Owen 34, Eleanor 26, Margaret 24 Robert 21, grandson William 5 born Llandudno, and Edward Jones 15 who came from Bala. All other members of the household were Llanrwst born.

Hafotty Bach was uninhabited.

Robert Lewis 53 farmed 30 acres at Penrallt with wife Elizabeth 61, both of Llanrwst. General servant Mary Edwards 18 was from Pentrefoelas, and Arthur Lewis 22 from Llanrwst.

Tyddyn Llywarch housed Thomas Jones 40 and his wife Grace 31, both born in Capel Garmon. The farm consisted of 40 acres. Their children William 7, Catherine A. 4 and Robert E. 1 were born in Llanrwst. Domestic servant Mary Jones 20 came from Yspyty.

The 66 acres of Brynfawnog was farmed by Abel Jones 33 of Llanrwst. Margaret Jones 35 of Capel Garmon was a servant, Owen Jones 29 was Abel’s brother who boarded there came from Llanrwst, and Jonathan Jones 23, farm servant was from Capel Garmon.

Part of Plas Onn was uninhabited. Cadwalladr Roberts 59 farmed its 2 acres with wife Mary 62, both of Llanrwst. Son Thomas 28, was a stone quarryman, and was born in Penmachno. William Roberts 18 of Llanrwst was a farm servant.

William Roberts 63 and wife Jane 62 of Capel Garmon farmed the 100 acres at Pen y Garnedd. Their children Anne 17 and William 4, were both born in Llanrwst.

Agricultural labourer and farmer of 2 acres, Robert Williams 63 of Llanrwst, lived at Cae Gwyn. Wife Jane 57 came from Capel Garmon, son David 30 and Catherine 20 were from Llanrwst. Grandson John 3 was born in Llanelian.



Unfortunately, the next address is undecipherable as it is badly smudged. Farming 200 acres there were William Jones 58, wife Mar
garet 55 and their family Hugh 27, Owen 21, Elizabeth 18, Jane 15, Anne 13, William 10 and granddaughter Mary 2. All were Llanrwst born. By comparing the path of the enumerator with the 1880 map of the area, it looks as if the house in question is Creigiau, or Creigiau Hwch as it appeared in an earlier census.

Hosier Owen Jones 68 of Capel Garmon and his wife Elizabeth 63 of Llandegai lived at Hafodlas.

Ysgubor Uchaf was uninhabited.

John Roberts 40 farmed 150 acres at Clytiau Teg with his widowed mother Margaret, 84. She came from Capel Garmon, and John from Llanrwst, as did Margaret Williams 24, their domestic servant.

William Jones 44 of Llanrwst was an agricultural labourer at Cefn Moch with his children Margaret 15, Catherine 12, Evan 8, William 5 and Cadwaladr 1 also of Llanrwst. His wife Margaret 38 was from Yspyty Ifan.

Cefn Rhydd housed agricultural labourer William Hughes 64, of Capel Garmon.

William Roberts 39 of Llanrwst lived at Tan y Graig with wife Jane 34, Sarah 10, Jane 8, Robert 7 all of Llangerniew, but Edward 5, Morris 3, and Mary E. 1 were born in Llanrwst.

David Humphreys 62 farmed 17 acres at Tan y Bryn. He was also described as a landowner. Living with him were his niece Catherine Jones 44 a dressmaker and nephew Robert Roberts 15 a pupil teacher. All were Llanrwst born.

Moses Jones 61 from Gwytherin farmed the 43 acres at Bryn y Gwynt. His wife Winifred 59 came from Llanrwst, as did his daughter in law Leah Williams, 21, also of Llanrwst.

Bryn Ty Brith was uninhabited.

Morris Hughes 51, farmed 11 acres at Tanyffordd. He was Capel Garmon born. Wife Catherine 56 was from Llanrwst, daughter Sarah 16 from Llanrhychwyn and granddaughter Margaret A. 1 from Llanrwst.

John Jones 78 farmed 5 acres as an agricultural labourer at Oerfa. His wife Sarah 63 came from Gwytherin. John and his children David 30, Evan 26, both slate quarrymen and Catherine 24 a dressmaker, were born in Llanrwst.

Owen Williams, 61, farmed 67 acres at Gorsedd Grucyn. He was born in Trewydr. Wife Winifred 59 and children Thomas 21, Robert 19, Jane Jones 23 and Anne Owen 28, were Llanrwst born. Jane’s daughter Winifred 1, was born in Llanrwst, Anne’s daughter, also Winifred 2 was born in Ffestiniog and Owen’s other granddaughter Hannah Williams 14 was born in Llanrwst.

Pant y Maes housed William Hughes a 40 year old agricultural labourer, his wife Margaret 35 and daughter Elizabeth 1. All were Llanrwst born.

Another part of Pant y Maes was uninhabited.

John Jones 31 of Llanrwst, farmed 44 acres at Maes Gwyn. His wife Jane 30 was from Penmachno, and domestic servants Laura Jones 16 was born in Dolwyddelen.

William Williams 33 of Trefriw and Winifred Roberts 50 of Llanon farmed 40 acres at Hafotty Fawr.

Farming 9 acres at Pen Y Nant was Hugh Jones 60 and wife Margaret 57. She came from Llangerniew, but John and family were Llanrwst born. Hugh 22 was a slate quarryman. Elizabeth was 12 and William 10.

Bryniog Uchaf consisted of 49 acres, farmed by Robert Roberts 49, born in Gwytherin. John 17 was born in Llangwm, and Catherine 15 in Llanfair TH.
Dairymaid Anne Hughes 32 was from Llanrhychwyn, domestic Eleanor Jones 17 from Llanrwst and farm servant William Williams 22 from Gwytherin.

Edward Edwards 39 farmed 89 acres at Bryniog y Plas and was born in Yspyty. The remaining members of the household were born in Llanrwst. His wife Hannah was 36, William 12, Henry 10, John 8 and general servant Margaret Jones, 16.

Robert Roberts 65 of Gwytherin farmed Bryniog Isaf with wife Grace 62 of Llanrwst, Eleanor 32 of Gwytherin, Margaret 18 of Llanrwst. Farm servants Peter Evans 20 and Thomas Williams 13 were both from Llansanan.

Jane Jones 40 of Llanrwst farmed the 4 acres of Tyddyn Gabriel alone.

This completes the census for this parish.

Humphrey Williams enumerated the Ty Brith parish, commencing with Ellis Pritchard 40, of Dolwyddelen an agricultural labourer living at Hen Efail. His wife Maria 31 and children Hugh 7, Richard E 5, John E 3 and Maria 4 months, were all born in Llanrwst.

William Jones 65 farmed Berthddu with wife Elinor 57 and daughter Anne 29. All were born in Llanrwst, including deaf Robert Jones 47 a general servant. Dairymaid Jane Jones 26 was from Cerrigydrudion.

Bryndu housed quarryman John Davies 26 of Llanrwst, wife Ellen 30 of Penrhyndaedraeth, and William Williams 21, a warden also from Penrhyndaedraeth.

Groesffordd Berthddu housed John Owens 60 of Denbigh. He was a silk, wool worster and cotton weaver. His wife Hanah 50 hailed from Yspytty, son William R 17 worked as a solicitor’s clerk, Ellen was 14 and Mary Jane 12. All were Llanrwst born.

Also resident at the Groesffordd was annuitant Price Griffiths 74 of Penmachno.

Widow and annuitant Margaret Davies 77 lived at Bryn yr Odyn with granddaughters Margaret Evans 23 a dressmaker and Margaret Jones 7. All were Dolwyddelen born.

John Clark 27 was married but on his own on census day, living at Tyddyn Du. He was a gardener from Wrexham.

Pwllmonyn housed John Hughes 56, a carpenter from Penmachno and his Llanrwst born family, of wife Margaret 57, and John 17. Joseph Thomas 14 also of Llanrwst was also in residence.

John Robert Griffiths 38 lived at Brynderwen. He was born in Bangor and worked as an Attorney Solicitor. His wife Mary 12 and their children were all born in Llanrwst. Frances Mary was 12, Thomas Blackwall (Griffiths) 11, John William 7, Arthur E 7, Walter Wynne 6, Frederick Ashley 5, Ethel Louisa 3, and Catherine Maud 2. Their Governess Edith Elizabeth Farrow 26 was from Bury St Edmunds. Their domestic servants were Elizabeth Jones 30 of Llanrwst, Ellen Edwards 21 of Pwllheli, and Mary Roberts 19 of Pentrefoelas. William Jones 26 was the groom and Martha Lloyd Griffiths, 34 a widow and landowner was staying there – both were Llanrwst born.

William Roberts 69 farmed Siamber Wen with wife Margaret 63. Family consisted of Hannah 31, Evan 21 and Hannah Jane 5. Elizabeth Williams 16 was dairymaid and David Roberts 15 a farm servant. All were Llanrwst born.

John Evans 35 farmed Plastirion with wife Grace. Their family consisted of William Griffiths 12, John Evan 10, Ellinor Anne 7, Grace 5. Catherine Evans was 25, domestic servant Catherine A Ingram 25, farm servant Aaron Jones 15, Anne Lloyd 35 was dairymaid, and Jane Davies 16, a nurse. All were Llanrwst born.

Hendre Wen housed farmer Henry Roberts 48 of Llanrwst, wife Jane 46 of Llanrhychwyn, and children Robert 13 and Margaret Ellen 16, both Llanrwst born. William Williams 19 was from Llanrhychwyn and domestic servant Mary Roberts 22 of Llangernyw.

John Blackwall 81 a widowed landowner, lived at Hendre House born in Manchester. Son Thomas 46 was a Civil Engineer. William Jones 23 was a footman Gwen Thomas 56 a cook all from Llanrwst, domestic servant Elizabeth Jones 26 and dairymaid Anne Thomas 27 both came from Pentrefoelas. Robert Jones 14 from Yspyty was an errand boy.

Cowman David Davies 84 lived at Hendre Lodge with wife Elizabeth 70 and dressmaking daughter Mary 56. All were Llanrwst born.

Griffith Thomas and his wife Anne, both 55, farmed Soflan. They were born in Pentefoelas where son Morris 29 saw first light of day. They moved to Llanrwst where the rest of their family, Robert 24, John 21, Margaret 18, Jane 15 and Evan 11, were born.

Edward Edwards 35 of Cerrigydrudion famed Tyddyn Du with Dolgellau born wife, Jane 31. Their children Eunice 6, Sarah Jane 4 and Catherine 1 were Llanrwst born. Elizabeth Edwards 80, a widow and John’s mother in law from Llanfor, lived with them. Also in residence were Robert Jones 21, David Jones 12 and Jane Jones 15, born in Penmachno, Cerrigydrudion and Yspyty, respectively.

Heseciah Roberts, 40 of Llansanan was a labourer living at Allt Bach with wife Mary 42, a laundress, family Jane 10, Joseph 7 all born in Eglwysbach and Margaret 4 born in Llanrwst.

Widowed farmer Janet Jones 75 and widowed William Roberts 85, a boarder and agricultural labourer, both of Betws Y Coed lived at Gallt yr Efail. Lodging there were carpenter Rees Jones 44 of Penmachno and wife Ann 52 of Betws y Coed.

John Jones 29, a blacksmith lived at Carneddau with wife Sarah 28 and son David Hugh 10 months. Apprentice blacksmith William Jones 17 and agricultural labourer David Davies 22 were included in the household, all of whom were Llanrwst born.

Another part of Carneddau was uninhabited.

John Griffiths 36, a joiner, wife Mary 35 a dressmaker, and children John P 10, David 8 and Edward 11 months, lived at Kyffdu Lodge. All were Llanrwst born.

John Rowlands 53 of Pentrefoelas, an agricultural labourer from Pentrefoelas, lived at Gafa Llwyd (corrupted form of Cae Dafydd Llwyd, on an unidentified site) with his wife Elizabeth 51 and mother in law Margaret Roberts 89 and widowed, both of Llanrwst.

Anne Owen 47, a widow from Bala, with no employment recorded, lived at High Gate with her children Margaret Anne 9, Owen 6 and Hannah Ellen 3, all born in Llanrwst.

Farm labourer Thomas Owens 46 of Mostyn and his family, wife Elizabeth 47, William 14, Richard 11 and Mary 8, all of Llanrwst, lived at High Gate too.

Ty Gwyn was farmed by Robert Williams 62 of Llanrwst, his wife Margaret 61 of Capel Curig, and servants William Hughes 20 of Bodedern, William Roberts 15 and Catherine Williams 28, both of Llanrwst.

Cae Berllan was farmed by Hugh Hughes 55, wife Anne 52, daughter Margaret 24, all born in Eglwysfach. Their other children Hugh 22, John 13 and Robert 7 were born in Llanrwst.

Landowner Robert Owen Davies 39 of Llanrwst, lived at Kyffdu. His wife Mary Ann 38 came from Wrexham, and daughter Alice Louise 9 was born in Llanrwst. Eliza Jane Flint 34 of Wrexham was visiting them. Their governess was Mary Louise Wilson 35 of Liverpool. Cook Ellen Jones 20 was from Llanrwst and both housemaid Mary Roberts 14 and domestic servant David Jones 20 were Llangernyw born.

Hugh Williams takes over the role of enumerator as we head into Mathebrwd.

Rhyd Lechog housed labourer Robert Evans 55 of Llangernyw and his wife Gwen 44 of Llanrwst.

Ty’n y Ffordd bach housed 90 year old widow Catherine Evans and her son David 44, a labourer, both of Llanrwst.

Ty’n y Ffordd’s 24 acres were farmed by Robert Roberts 31 of Llansanan, and his wife Elizabeth 30. from Llangwm. Their children were all born in Llanrwst. They were Edward 15, David 4 and Mary Ann 2.

Henblas housed Edwin Motherhead 47, a yeoman of 200 acres, born in Ramsbottom. His wife Sarah 24 was born in Shuttleworth and son Fredrick 10 was born in Leyland. A couple of nieces lived with them, Isabell Beverley 25 from London and Elizabeth Booth 9 from Lancashire. Maenan born Ann Hughes 21 was their servant and both Thomas Roberts 23 of Llanrwst and Robert Roberts 17 from Llanddoget were horsemen.

Robert Parry 50, a widower from Pentrefoelas farmed 100 acres at Llwyn Richard with dairymaid Margaret Roberts 30 and horseman Robert Hughes 18, both of Llanrwst.

Widowed Jane Williams 66 farmed 60 acres at Fedw, with daughter Grace 40 her dairymaid and son William 26 a horseman, all of Llanrwst. Robert Owen 19, also a horseman, came from Llangernyw.

Tai Newyddion was occupied William Parry 29, a labourer from Llanrwst. His wife Dinah 22 was from Cerrigydrudion where son Robert 4 was born. John 2 came from Llanrwst.

Tai Newyddion also housed Robert Jones 75, labourer, Gwen 76 and Jeremiah 29, all of Llanrwst.

Llwyn Groyw and its 100 acres were farmed by David Roberts, 60, wife Jane, 56, and family - Morris, 25, a horseman, Ellen, 19, a domestic, William, 15, a horseman and Margaret, 11.

Owen Williams, 69, farmed 11 acres at Henfaes, born in Llanrwst. His wife Elizabeth 48 and 21 years his junior, came from Llanfihangel. Daughter Margaret 10 came from Llanrwst and visitor Catherine Griffiths 45, a farmer’s wife, was also from Llanfihangel.

The 88 acres at Tyddyn Ucha were farmed by Thomas Owen 64, His wife Jane 67 was from Pentrefoelas. Thomas and horseman son Owen 28 and dairymaid Jane Davies 17 were Llanrwst born.

Robert Hughes 86, an invalid from Llanrwst, lived at Ty Newydd with his wife Ellen 73 from Cerrigydrudion.

Llety Drain (Dryw), Pen y Bryn and Pennant were uninhabited.

Robert Owen, 66, farmed 56 acres at Pantglas with wife Jane, 64, daughter Ellen, 39, a dairymaid, and sons William, 30, and Thomas, 17, both horsemen. All were Llanrwst born.

John Jones, 59, farmed 60 acres at Hafod Gilbert. He was Cerrigydrudion born, and his wife and family were born in Llanrwst. Elizabeth, 55, Cadwaladr, 29, Robert, 17, both horsemen, and dairymaid, Jane, 12.

Farm Bailiff Thomas Hutchinson, 52, and his wife Elizabeth, 40, both of Leicester, lived at Moelogan.

Moelogan Bach was uninhabited.

Pen y Frith housed labourer Lewis Jones, 46, wife Gwen, 44, and son John, 23, a carpenter, all born in Llanrwst.

Nant y Fedwen had 17 acres farmed by Robert Roberts, 62, wife Catherine, 52, and family David, 18, and Robert, 22, both horsemen, and Anne, 20, dairymaid. All were Penmachno born.

Rhwg y Ddwyffordd housed labourer Thomas Roberts, 56, of Llangernyw and his Llanrwst born family, consisting of wife Mary, 49, Ellen, 16, John, 14, and Robert, 9.

Widower Morris Hughes, 67, lived alone at 12 acre Fron. He was Llanrwst born.

William Evans, 55, a labourer lived at Glan y Gors, with wife Mary, 53, John, 7, Margaret, 4 and Mary, 2. All were born in Llanrwst.

Owen Williams farmed 60 acres at Rhos Farm with his brother Robert, 44, a horseman, both of Llanrwst. Dairymaid Elizabeth Davies, 60, was from Pentrefoelas.

Llangernyw born David Jones, 27,wife Diana, 26, of Maenan and dairymaid daughter Elizabeth,15, of Llangernyw lived at Henffrith.

Chapel House Carmel housed labourer Owen Ellis, 42, of Llanfair, wife Mary, 38, Margaret, 14, John, 12 and niece Catherine Thomas, 5, all born in Llanrwst.

Carmel Chapel is recorded next.

Hugh Pierce now takes us through the final residences as our enumerator, commencing with Garth Y Foel, where we find John Roberts 32 farming 14 acres with his wife Elizabeth 28 of Eglwysbach. John and children William 8, Hugh 4 and Margaret 2 were all born in Llanrwst.

Dderwen Rwst housed agricultural labourer William Davies 63 of Llanrwst and Llangernyw born wife Jane, 55.

Another residence at Dderwen Rwst housed David Davies 67, agricultural labourer of Llanrwst, wife Jane 65 of Yspytty and shoemaker son John 21 also of Llanrwst.

A third household here consisted of William Davies 33, an agricultural labourer of Yspytty, children Edward 1 and Elinor 1 month, both of Llanrwst. Mother and wife Ellinor 33 came from Betws y Coed.

A Solicitor, registered in the County Court, Richard Jones 41 of Llanbadarn Fawr lived at Dyffryn Aur, with his wife Anne 48 of Cheltenham, cook Anne Hughes 29 of Llanrhochwyn, housemaid Ellen Roberts 19 of Llanddoget, and coachman William Davies 40 of Llanrwst.

Cae Ceiliog was the residence of widowed farmer Elizabeth Evans 53 of Denbighshire, and servants Owen Hughes 57 of Llangernyw and Anne Hughes 21 of Betws y Coed.

Retired labourer and Collector of Taxes, William Thomas 40 of Pentrefoelas lived at Dyffryn Aur Gate. His wife Jane 41 and family Robert 12, Mary 9, John 7, Anne 3 and Edward 10 months, were all born in Llanrwst.

The following entries all appear under Tafarn y Fedw.

Grocer Catherine Edwards 63 was widowed and Llanrwst born.

Ellen Jones 62, recently widowed and formerly a labourer’s wife, Anne 12 and Robert 1 month of Llanrwst.

John Williams 71 of Llanrwst and his wife Elizabeth 67 of Holywell.

Hanah Evans 30 a labourer’s wife of Trefriw and son Price 2 of Llanrwst.

Elizabeth Jones 68 and widowed, dressmaker of Llanrwst lived alone.

Blacksmith Thomas Williams 52 of Abergele, wife Anne 52 of Llanrwst, Thomas 23, a blacksmith born Abergele, William 21, John 21, Joseph 10 of Llanrwst, and grandsons Thomas Jones 6 of Llangernyw and Thomas Burchis 3 of Llanrwst.

Robert Roberts 59 an agricultural labourer of Llangernyw, Catherine 58, Sarah 17 a domestic servant, Michael 15 a farm servant and Jane 3, all born in Llanrwst.

Another three residences in Tafarn y Fedw were noted as uninhabited, completing the entries for the hamlet.

Flour checker Thomas Griffiths 59 of Llanrhochwyn lived at Brynmelyn with Llanddoget born wife Jane 46. Anne Roberts 17, noted as an unmarried daughter was born in Llanrwst as were children Thomas Griffiths 12, Mary 9, Robert 5 and William 2.

Ty’n Y Caeau housed quarry labourer William Jones 35, Mary 30, Sarah 9 and Elizabeth 3, all of Llanrwst.

Corniach’s 123 acres were farmed by John Jones 78 of Llanrwst, wife Catherine 67 of Dolwyddelen. Servants William Jones 31, William Pritchard 16 and John Roberts 15 were born in Llanrwst and dairymaid Elizabeth Jones 20, in Llangernyw.

Tai Candryll consisted of 12 acres, farmed by Edward Roberts 60 of Flintshire. Wife Margaret 33, Samuel 9, Edward 7, Margaret 5 and Mary C. 1 were all Llanrwst born.

John Owen 69, farmed 120 acres at Bryn Sylldy. He came from Llandegai, wife Mary 70, family William 36, John 26 were born in Bangor, John 17 a grandson in Aber,
Son in law Robert Owen 38 a farmer, in Llanrwst, his wife Anne 28 in Bangor, and their children Elizabeth 3 and Anne 9 in Llanrwst. General servant Mary Evans 20 was born in Aber, William Thomas 27 a quarryman in Llanllechid and his wife Elizabeth 22 in Llandegai.

William Jones 64 farmed 58 acres at Ty’n Twll, with wife Dorothy 58, Lynch 25, Ellen 19 and David 16, all of Llanrwst.

Morris Evans 54 farmed 40 acres at Bwlch y Gwynt with wife Mary 50 of Bangor. Brother John 47 was a farm servant and similarly to Morris, was born in Llanrwst.

Garth yr Hwylbren had 50 acres farmed by Robert Foulkes 62, wife Anne 60 and general servant Elizabeth Lloyd 16. All were Llanrwst born.

Ty Newydd was uninhabited.

Coed y Brain, consisting of 26 acres, was farmed by Owen Owens 34 of Bangor. Wife Jane 38 and family William 13, Catherine 11, David 7, Ellen 5, John 3 and Jane 1, were all from Llanrwst.

Henodyn housed unmarried Mary Roberts 60 of Cerrig y Drudion, her son John 28 an agricultural labourer and lodger Mary Jones 61 a lodger, both born in Cyffin.

Gwern Rhisg housed road labourer James Roberts 60, Margaret 60, William 26 an agricultural labourer and Hannah 19 a dressmaker, all from Llanrwst.

Also at Gwern Rhisg was former labourer’s wife Elizabeth Roberts 66 a widow and son David 28 a miner, both of Llanrwst.

David Hughes 57 of Llanddoget farmed 35 acres at Poethfoel with wife Jane 44, John 17, Mary 13, Robert 9, all born in Llanrwst. Brother William Hughes 60 , a farmer was also Llanddoget born.

William Williams 35 a farm servant, wife Anne 40, Robert 11, Daniel 7, Elias 5, Jane 3 and Martha 1 all of Llanrwst, lived at Henysgoldy.

Thomas Williams 28, described as a servant also lived at Henysgoldy with his wife Elizabeth 30, Robert 8, Catherine 6, Mary 4 and Ellen 6 months. All came from Llanrwst.

Another household born in Llanrwst lived at Coed Llydan Isa. John Jones 77 farmed its 34 acres with wife Jane 69, Catherine 44 a dressmaker, sons John 36, Michael 25, Lynch Bridge 19 and general servant Mary Williams 18.

William Davies 61 a labourer lived at Pont y Clwt with wife Anne 61 and dressmaker daughter Anne 22, all of Llanrwst.

Bethel was occupied by master shoemaker David Jones 68 of Llanrwst and his wife Catherine 68, of Pentrefoelas,

Also recorded at Bethel was William Jones 40, a corn dealer, his wife Anne 30 and family. Daughters C.A. 15, E.A. 11, sons E.J. 13, William 8, John 6 and Thomas 9 months. Margaret 17 was his sister. All were Llanrwst born.

Owen Jones 71 a labourer and his wife Elizabeth 70, both of Pentrefoelas, also lived at Bethel with unmarried daughter Elizabeth, 45, a dressmaker and grandson John, 13, both of Llanrwst.

Catherine Davies, 75 and a labourer’s widow of Llanrwst, was the last person recorded at Bethel.

Sychbant housed Cadwaladr Evans, 63, a labourer, wife Barbara, 57, Owen, 23, a labourer, Mary Anne, 17, a pupil teacher and Morris, 16. All were Llanrwst born.

Coedllydan Ucha housed Mary West 51 an annuitant from Solihull and lodger Harriet Caton 39 a landowner, born in Liverpool.

Tan y Bryn was the final entry for the 1871 census of the Melin y Coed area. The enumerator didn’t stay long there, as it was uninhabited.



................................................................................................................
1881 MAETHEBRWD AND TY BRITH CENSUS
MELIN Y COED, CARMEL, NANT Y RHIW ETC.

The fat lamb trade in Wales about this time began to take off. Arable land was reducing and permanent grazing land was on the increase. Farming generally in Wales was small scale. From 1880 a change in the law allowed farmers to shoot game. After 1800 the Sheep Fair was no longer held on the Great Orme following the Honey Fair. The first paddle steamer on the Conway, the "St. Winifred", had been joined by the "St. George". It had been decided to hold Voelas Manor Court every other year instead of every year.

Urbanisation, wealth, communication, the size of the middle class and population of the country as a whole were all on the increase (Population in the past ten years had increased by 3.4 million).

The first lager brewery in Britain was built in Wrexham in 1880. 1881 saw Wales play their first international Rugby Union match on February 19 against England (which England won) and a few weeks later the Welsh Rugby Union was formed. The Great Spring which had flooded the workings of the Severn Tunnel had been sealed off (for the time being).

On 19 April 1881, Benjamin Disraeli died, aged 76. Queen Victoria was grieved but was not able to attend his funeral because of protocol though she sent a wreath, visited his grave and had a monument erected in his honour in Hughenden Church.

Tenants were granted fair rents and greater protection from eviction. The army and navy abolished flogging as a punishment, and Wales agreed to ban drinking on Sundays.

Humphrey Williams and David Jones enumerated the census for Ty Brith Isaf and Owen Hughes for Mathebrwd.


DYFFRYN AUR (Page 1 of Maethebrwd census records) Richard James,51, born in Aberystwyth, was a Solicitor. His wife Anne, aged 58, was born in Cheltenham. Ellen Roberts, their housemaid, was 25 and unmarried. She had been born in Liverpool. Their cook, Elizabeth Griffiths was 20, unmarried, and had been born in Towyn, Merionethshire. Their coachman was Henry Baker, single, 35, from London.

TURNPIKE HOUSE (P1) Henry Prichard was 68 and a Llanrwst born General Labourer. His wife Hannah was 52, born in Llangernyw. Their daughter Anne was 16 and also born in Llangernyw, as was their son Elias12, a Scholar

BRYN MELYN Thomas Griffiths aged 64 from Llangernyw was a Farmer of 7 Acres; his wife Jane was 56 and from Trefriw. Their son Thomas was 22, born in Llanrwst, and worked as a Stonemason. Their other children were also all born in Llanrwst, Robert, 15, William, 12, and Mary, 18.

1 PENTRE TAFARN Y FEDW Sarah Stansfield was Llanrwst born, 26 years old, and married to a miner. Her son Edward was 6 and also born in Llanrwst.

2 PENTRE TAFARN Y FEDW Robert Roberts, aged 70, a Llanddewi born stonecutter, was married to Catherine, 7o, also from Llanddewi.

3 PENTRE TAFARN Y FEDW John Williams, a Llanrwst born General Labourer, was 79 and his wife Elizabeth from Holywell was 75. They cared for their 6 year old Granddaughter, Elizabeth Williams, also Llanrwst born.

4 PENTRE TAFARN Y FEDW (P1) Llangernyw born General Labourer William Jones was 55 and married to 59 year old Ellen of Trefriw. Their daughter Jane, 25, was born in Llanrwst.

GROCER'S SHOP (P.2) Catherine Edwards was a 55 year old widow who operated the Grocer's shop, and her 21 year old daughter, Margaret J. Edwards, was unmarried and working as a Draper's Saleswoman. Both were Llanrwst born.

5 PENTRE TAFARNYFEDW 73 year old widow Elizabeth Jones of Llanrwst was a Shirt Maker

TYN Y CAEAU 44 year old William Jones farmed 6 acres along with his wife Mary, 40, and children Sarah, 19, a seamstress, Elizabeth, 13, John, 7, Mary, 5, and Catherine, aged 1. All were born in Llanrwst.

CAE'R CEILIOG This family were all born in Llanrwst, namely David Jones, 26, farming 33 acres, and his wife Ellen, 28, son Thomas, 2 months old, Elizabeth M, his wife's unmarried 28 year old sister, a milliner. David employed John D. Roberts of Festiniog, 14, as a farm servant (indoor).

TAI CANDRYLL Edwarad Roberts, 69, farmed 13 acres with wife Margaret, 43, daughters Margaret, 15, Mary C. 11, Elizabeth J, 8, and son John T, 4. All were Llanrwst born.

RHYD LECHOG Robert Evans, 70, of Llangernyw, farmed 8 acres along with his wife Gwen of Llanrwst, 55.

TYN Y FFORDD BACH (P.2) Bachelor David Evans, 54, was a Llanrwst born general labourer.

TYN Y FFORDD (P.3) Llanfairtalhaiarn - born Evan Williams, 32, farmed 24 acres. His wife Jane was 40 and had been born in Maenan.

CARMEL CHAPEL HOUSE Mary Jones of Yspytty, 60, was a widow and worked as a charwoman. Her son Rees, 27, was a general labourer. Her daughter Jane, 20, was a dressmaker, and her grandchild Mary was 12. The children were all Llanrwst born.

HENFFRITH (P.3) David Jones, 38, farmed 35 acres along with his wife, Diana, 37. Their children were Mary E, 4, and Sarah A, 2. Mary Roberts, an 18 year old spinster, worked for them as a general servant. All were Llanrwst born except Diana, who was from Maenan.

HENBLAS Llanfairtalhaiarn born Elias Williams, 39, was a Farmer of 174 Acres. His wife Margaret of Llangernyw was 38 and daughter Ellen, 16, was also born in Llangernyw. Son Thomas, 14, and daughter Mary, 4, were born in Llanrwst.

LLWYN GORONWY (P.3) Llanrwst born widower Evan Lewis, 57, farmed 170 acres along with his unmarried Llangernyw born children Margaret, 26, David, 23 and Thomas, 16, as well as Maenan-born daughter Ellen, 12, and Llanrwst born John, 8, who were both at school.

FEDW Jane Williams (P.4) is listed as head of the household, a 77 year old widow farming 50 acres. Her son William, 35, worked as a farm servant and his wife Elizabeth from Llangernyw was 25. Apart from Elizabeth, the household were all Llanrwst born. William and Elizabeth's daughter Anne was two, and little William was just six months old. Mary Williams, 14, was working as a general servant, and Robert Roberts, 36, worked on the farm and lived with the family.

LLWYN GORONWY 70 year old David Roberts farmed 80 acres. His wife Jane, 68, came from Bryneglwys, but everyone else in the household had been born in Llanrwst. Their son Maurice was unmarried, aged 34. Their other son, William, was 25 and also single. Their daughter Ellen was 27 and unmarried, and their grandson David Roberts, a scholar, was 8 years old.

TYDDYN UCHA Thomas Owen, a 74 year old widower born locally farmed 40 acres.

HENFAES Widow Elizabeth Williams of Pennant, Caernarvon, aged 58, farmed 6 acres along with her unmarried daughter Margaret, aged 20 and born in Llanrwst.

TYN TWLL on the road to Carmel was home to William and Dorothy Jones, both born in Llanrwst, as was the rest of the household. William was 75 and Dorothy 70. Their son Pryce was 35 and his brother Lynch was 32. Also living with them was Mary Jones, their grand-daughter, aged 27, an unmarried general servant.

1 RHYD LOYW (P.4) David Williams, 39, was a widowed general labourer living with his ten year old son, David, and six year old son Thomas. All were born in Gwytherin.

RHYD LOYW (P5) The head of the family here was Elizabeth Jones, an unmarried servant aged 23. She had two daughters, Ellen, aged 3, and Elizabeth A, aged 11 months.

RHYD LOYW (P.6) The head of the Owen family here was Bangor-born John, aged 36, a General Labourer. His wife was Ellen, born in Bettws y Coed and at age 34 mother to John, aged 8, Jane Mary, aged 5, Elizabeth, aged 2, and Ellen Anne, aged 1 month. The children were all born locally. Also recorded as head was 80 year old John Owen, born at Llandegai, and described as a farmer of 120 acres, so demonstrating that he was the owner or tenant of the property. His 46 year old son, William, had also been born in Bangor and was noted as being aged 46 and described as a farmer's son. Listed next are John's Grandson John Owen, also unmarried at 37, born in Llanrwst, and described as a farm servant. John's grand-daughter Anne Owen was 19 and working as a general servant, and his other daughter, Elizabeth Owen, aged 12, was also a general servant. Local Richard Roberts, a 32 year old bachelor, worked for them as an agricultural labourer.

HEN ODYN: Mary Roberts, 71 year old spinster born in Cerrigydruidion, was a stocking knitter, and her lodger Mary Jones, also single at 71, came from Gyffin.

COED Y BRAIN Owen Owens, 44, born in Bangor, farming 38 acres. Jane his wife 48, born in Llanrwst. Their daughter Jane Owens was at school, aged 11, Son Pryce also at school, aged 9; Dorothy aged 7 also at school, and little Elizabeth aged just 5.

GARTH YR HWYLBREN (P.6) Robert FOULKES aged 72 was farming 40 acres; like his wife Anne, aged 76, he was born in Llanrwst. John EVANS, 50 year old bachelor, born in Llanrwst, worked as an Agricultural labourer, and Anne Williams, also of Llanrwst, was unmarried at 64 and working as a general servant.

TY NEWYDD (P.7) Maurice EVANS aged 59 was a retired locally born farmer, and his wife Mary, 58, was born in Bethesda, Caernarvonshire.

1 GWERN RHISGL Lewis Roberts, 49, of Llanrwst, worked as a general labourer. His wife Elizabeth was also born in Llanrwst and also 49 years old. Their son Rowland Roberts was aged 9, born locally, and attending school, as was their son William, aged 5.

1 GWERN RHISGL James ROBERTS, 62 year old widower, born in Trewydyr, worked as a Street Cleaner (Scavenger).

POETHFOEL Jane HUGHES, a widow aged 54, born locally, was farming 35 acres. Her son Robert, 19, was unmarried and working as an agricultural labourer. Her daughter Mary Jones, 23, born in Llanrwst like her brother, was a blacksmith's wife. Their Llansantffraid-born agricultural labourer, Robert HUGHES, was a 52 year old bachelor.

BRYN DYFFRYN Robert O. MOULSDALE, aged 75, born in Llanrwst, was a Justice of the Peace (Other Local). The Moulsdales came from Anglesey, originally, and his wife Jane H., aged 73, had been born in Amlwch. Their Cook, Catherine Williams, a 24 year old spinster, had been born in Llanllyfni, Caernarvon. Their Housemaid was local Mary Jones, 21 and unmarried. Their Groom and Gardener Samuel CLARK was a 29 year old bachelor from Norfolk.

COED LLYDAN UCHA (Page 7) JONATHAN Family. Head was Edward Jonathan, 43, a retired draper from Llangefni. His wife was also from Anglesey (Rhosybol) and was 26. Their son Edward J; had been born in Ffestiniog, Merioneth, and was aged 7 and attending school. Owen R. was 5, had been born in Trefriw, and was also attending school. John Wallace Jonathan was 3 years old and had also been born in Trefriw. Their servant Grace Roberts, 15, was from Penmachno. Their Errand Boy was John E Prichard, a 13 year old Llanrwst boy. Visiting them from Ffestiniog was 16 year old schoolgirl Grace A. Hughes

1 YSGOLDY (Page 8) David ROBERTS 36 of Llanrwst, Agricultural Labourer; Hannah Roberts his wife, 36, born Llanrwst; son Robert Roberts aged 10 at school; David Roberts, 8, at school; Evan aged 5, at school; all born in Llanrwst.

2 YSGOLDY William WILLIAMS, 45, Agricultural Labourer; wife Anne 49 of Gwytherin; Daughter Martha, 8, at school; Margaret A Williams, Granddaughter, 4, at school.

COED LLYDAN (page 8) John JONES, Unmarried, aged 48, born in Llanrwst, farming 50 acres. His brother was Michael Jones, also unmarried, aged 35, also born locally and farming the 50 acres. Their sister Catherine Jones, also unmarried, was 55 and acted as their housekeeper. John's nephew John Robert Jones, born locally, was 3 years old. Servant Catherine Owen, 24, was also unmarried and came from Dolwyddelen.

SYCHBANT Cadwaladr EVANS, 74, a one-time miller, farmed 2 acres. His wife Barbara of Trefriw was 57. Their son Owen was 34 and unmarried, and worked as a stone quarryman.

1 BETHEL Owen JONES of Pentrefoelas, formerly an agricultural labourer, was 81 and his wife Elizabeth, also from Pentrefoelas, was also 81. Their seamstress daughter Elizabeth was unmarried, aged 56, and was also born in Pentrefoelas.

2 BETHEL Widower Robert ROBERTS, 63, of Llanrwst was a highway labourer. His servant Jemimah Williams, aged 54 and unmarried, was from Llangernyw. Widow Mary Williams, 81, of Llanrwst, lived there as a lodger.

PONT Y CLWT William DAVIES of Llanrwst, 71, was formerly an agricultural labourer. His wife Anne, 71, was also local. Their daughter Anne was unmarried at 32 and worked as a seamstress.

FARM YARD TURNPIKE HOUSE Page 9 Recently widowed Jane EVANS, 40, born in Gwytherin, worked as a Charwoman. Her son Robert Evans, an 11 year old schoolboy, had been born in Llanfairtalhaiarn like her daughter Elizabeth, 9, also at school. Jane also had a one year old daughter, Catherine, born in Llanrwst.

The Calvinistic Methodist Chapel was being built at this time.

GWYLLT ISA Joseph JONES, 31, born in Llangollen, was a general labourer. His wife, Jane, was 32 and was born in Cynwyd. Their son Evan, 8, daughter Margaret E, 5, and son Robert E, 3, had all been born locally and were all at school.

CERNIACH was uninhabited.

BWLCH Y GWYNT Recently-arrived Scot Thomas McGill 38, was working as an agricultural labourer. His wife and children had all also been born in Scotland - wife Cathrin was 40, son Thomas was 16, Daughter Jane, 14, Charles, 13, Andrew, 11, William, 9, Agnes, 6, James, 3, and Robert, 1.

PENNANT Living at the big house was George William TINSLEY, bachelor from Sedgley, Staffordshire, aged 33 and farming 35 acres with the help of four labourers. Widow Cathrin Jane BULLOCK, 46, of Bilston, Stafford (near Sedgley), was housekeeper; Elinor THOMAS, 18 and single of Llanrwst was a servant, and Josiah JONES of Newmarket, Flint, a 39 year old widower, was a farm servant living on the premises.

TY NEWYDD (Page 1) George KEYES, 39, of Gloucester, was a shepherd, likely working for Mr Tinsley of Pennant, and living with his wife Lettis, 37, of Wiston, Pembroke and son, Thomas, 1, born in Hereford.

PEN Y BRYN James ASTLEY, 42, of Sedgley, Staffordshire, was a Forester or Woodman, likely working for Mr Tinsley and coming from the same place. All except the youngest child were born in Sedgley, Anney, 33, James’ wife, Martah Lewisa, 7, and Anney Eliza, 6. Richart Pennant, 3, had been born in Llanrwst, and the family seems to have moved here in the past four or five years. Descendants still live in the area.

Tinsley, Bullock and Astley were all well-established surnames in their places of origin.

PANT GLAS Elen OWENS, a 49 year old spinster from Capel Garmon, was a farmer’s daughter on 50 acres, with a visitor from Llanddewi, Elizabeth DAVIES, 11, also a farmer’s daughter.



To be continued. Rowena Evans
.................................................................................................................

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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THE CENSUS FOR MELIN Y COED AND ENVIRONS IN 1901 by Ken Davies

1901 saw the end of the Victorian era, as Queen Victoria died on the Isle of Wight on 22nd January. Liberal MP David Lloyd George was forced to flee from a pro-Boer meeting as riots broke out and the Boer War continued. Robert Gascoyne-Cecil (Conservative) was Prime Minister. Italian Marconi transmitted a Morse code signal across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. Tottenham Hotspur, then a non-league club, won the F.A. Cup.

With the dawning of the Edwardian era, let’s follow in the footsteps of one of the many census enumerators, Owen Hughes of Mill Bank, Melin Y Coed, as he records details of his friends and neighbouring families living in the Melin Y Coed area over a century ago.

The 1901 census gave the British population as 41.5 million, and records whether people over 3 years old in Wales, had Welsh, English or both as their spoken language.

Where better to start our look at Melin Y Coed than Mill Bank, where the census enumerator himself lived. Owen Hughes, 55, miller and corn dealer, born in Llanllechid, lived here with his wife Mary Jane, 55, Llanrwst born like their children Jane Anne, 25, Robert Owen, 17, and Mary L, 15. Both Robert and Mary were themselves corn dealers. Rolant Jones, 51, from Llanddoget worked as an agricultural labourer. Rolant spoke Welsh, and Owen’s family spoke both languages

A widow living from her own means, Ellen Davies, 70, from Ysbyty Ifan, lived at Ty Hwnt i’r Afon, with daughters Mary, 36, noted as at home, sick and Margaret, 33, apparently staying at home for a few days. Both were Llanrwst born. Ellen spoke Welsh and the other ladies spoke both languages

Llanllechid born widow Elizabeth Roberts, 74, also maintained a household at Ty Hwnt i’r Afon. Her married son William, 34, was an agricultural labourer and, like Elizabeth's granddaughter Ester, 15, who was in school, had born in Llanddoged. Elizabeth and Ester conversed in either language, and William in Welsh.

Glan Llyn Terrace housed eight families.

Welsh speaking spinster Ellen Roberts, 63, had a private income and was Llanrwst
born.

Bilingual carter John Williams, 24, born in Rhydlydan and Welsh speaking wife Ellen, 30, lived next door.

Llanrwst born bachelor John Jones, 68, lived on his own means and spoke only Welsh.

Elizabeth Thomas, 66, single, from Llangernyw, lived on her own means, and was bilingual.

Owen Roberts, 67, was a Welsh speaking agricultural labourer, born in Cerrig y Drudion.

Plumber Thomas Jones, 29, and wife Jane, 27, are listed next. Both were born in Llandulais, and were bilingual.

In the next house lived Welsh speaking agricultural labourer Morris Thomas, 34, from Pentrefoelas, his bilingual wife Margaret, 32, born in Nantglyn, and 6 month old daughter Myfanwy, born in Llanrwst.

The final entry under Glan Llyn Terrace relates to the family of Lynch Bridge Jones, 49, an agricultural labourer born in Llanrwst, wife Jane, 43, of Llangernyw and daughter Elen Jane, 13, who were all bilingual. Lynch would likely be a descendant of Lynch and Catherine Bridge or Bridges who lived in Mathebrwd a century previously, when they had nine children baptised over a period of eighteen years or so. Another Lynch Jones is to be found in this census year living at Ty'n Twll, Melin y Coed, with his mother Dorothy, daughter of Lynch and Catherine.

Tan y Fron housed agricultural labourer William Jones, 75, born in Capel Garmon and his family. All spoke Welsh. Wife Margaret, 70, was from Ysbyty Ifan and they lived in Nebo when their 35 year old widowed son William was born. His children William, 4, and Sarah, 2, were born in Ffestiniog where William had presumably lived with his late wife.

Also recorded at Tan y Fron were another Welsh speaking family. Evan Jones was a 34 year old carter whose wife Sarah was 38. They were both born in Nebo as were two of their children Price, 11, and David, 8. 18 month old John E. was Llanrwst born.

Melin y Coed shop is also recorded at Tan y Fron, where widow Mary Jones, 67, served the community in both languages.

The last residents at Tan y Fron were husband and wife Edward and Mary Thomas, aged 43 and 46 respectively. Edward was an agricultural labourer born in Llanrwst, and Mary was born in Capel Curig. Both were Welsh speaking.

Coed Mawr housed local blacksmith William Thomas, 32, from Llanrwst and wife Margaret, 34, of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Three of their four children were Llanrwst born - Benjamin, 9, Maggie, 8, and Owen, 3, but 6 year old Willie was born in Blaenau. All spoke Welsh.

Farm labourer and cowman Charles Janson (?) a 24 year old from Cambridgeshire lived at Pentre Isa, with his Llanrwst born wife Mary, 30. Nebo-born step children Walter Jones, 12, and Robert, 8, daughter Mary Janson (?), 1, born in Llanrwst, also lived there, along with Charles’ 26 year old brother in law, Howell Roberts, a Nebo born slate quarryman. All were bilingual, apart from Welsh speaking Howell.

Bilingual gamekeeper William Evans, 30, from Llanrwst lived at Ty Newydd with his English speaking wife Eliza from Gloucestershire and Llanrwst-born baby, John, who was just a month old. This little family would soon move up the road and make their home in Fronwen, where they would live with their next child, Mary, later of Hafod Gilbert, Nant y Fedwen and Bod Wylim. John died aged six. Mary married William Roberts, son of the Bryn Dyffryn gamekeeper

Widow Jane Williams, 66, was farming Pen Ucha’r Gwyllt with her agricultural labourer son John, 30. They supported niece Margaret Williams, 12, who was a scholar. All were bilingual and Llanrwst born.


Above: Path to Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt

Another widow, Catherine Jones, 82, was noted as farming Ty Mawr Farm with her son David Ellis Jones, 59, both of Llanrwst, and his wife Elizabeth Edwards Jones, 53, of Birkenhead. The couple originally lived in Liverpool, where their children Elizabeth Catherine, 33, living on her own means and William Owen, 24, were born. William was a carter on the farm. David and Elizabeth had moved to live in Llanrwst before 1884 where another daughter, Augusta Sophia, 17, was born. She was a domestic servant at her grandmother’s farm. All were bilingual.

Robert G Jones, 22 and single, farmed Garthebog. His son Griffith, 26, worked as a quarryman, but he was assisted by an older brother William, 36, a farm labourer, and sister Lizzie (?), 29, a domestic servant, with another sister, Cynthia Anne, 15, completing the household. All were Welsh speaking. William and Lizzie were born in Dolwyddelen and the rest of the family in Llanrwst.


Outbuildings at Garth Hebog.

Evan Roberts, a 72 year old agricultural labourer from Capel Garmon, lived at Fron Wen with his wife Catherine, 68, who hailed from Llanrwst. Both spoke Welsh.

Chapel House, Nant y Rhiw, was occupied by widow Catherine Jones, 61, born in Llanrwst. Her language was Welsh.


Above: Chapel and Ty Capel, Nant y Rhiw.

A man employed in the stocking trade, Owen Jones, 53, and his wife Jane, 52, lived at Pen y Bryn, Nant y Rhiw. Both were Welsh speakers and came from Llanrwst.

Ty Newydd, Nant y Rhiw, housed Griffith Jones, a 60 year old widower who worked as a mason, and his 14 year old son Thomas Owen Jones, a scholar. Elen Hughes, a 74 year widow, kept house for them. The males were from Llanrwst and Elen from Llangernyw. Thomas was the only one to speak both languages. Welsh was the other language spoken. Thomas was in later years a gamekeeper and his children attended the Nant y Rhiw school.

David Thomas, 62, farmed Bryn Bedda (Bryn Beddau) with wife Jane, 66, and 30 year old daughter Elizabeth, who undertook the domestic chores. All were Welsh speaking and from Llanrwst.

Foty Fawr housed farmer Robert Roberts, 34, and wife Margaret E, 30. Growing up on the farm were children Elizabeth E, 8, Margaret A, 4, (later known as Marged Ann), Sarah I, 2 (later known as 'Sal Foty'), and 6 month old Robert H (Bob Foty). All were Llanrwst born Welsh speakers, as indeed was 14 year old domestic servant Jane Jones.


Above: Foty Fawr

Foty Bach was recorded as uninhabited.

Farming at Maes Gwyn were the Caerhun born couple John Evans, 34, and Jane, 30. After the births in Caerhun of John, 10, Owen, 8, Jane, 6, Catherine, 5, they moved to the Llanrwst area around 1897, where Ellen, 3 and Margaret, 2, first saw the light of day. Servant Jane Jones, 13, of Blaenau completed the household. All spoke Welsh.


Above: Drawing of Maes Gwyn.

Hwylfa Ddu was farmed by the Llanrwst born family of Robert Hughes, 64, and his wife Elinor, 53, children Catherine, 21, Elinor, 19, and Evan, 18, all servants at home and Welsh speaking. Nephew Morris Lloyd, 3, was also there.
(Evan Hughes of Hwylfa Ddu, above, died aged 74 in July 1956. Son John Evan died in August 1915, son Elwyn in June 1940, and his wife Mary in 1979. A photo of their gravestone may be seen on the page "Old News".)

Lead miner Daniel Jones, 40, of Denbigh lived at Tyddyn Gabriel with his Llangernyw born wife, Catherine, 55. Their 12 year old Llanrwst-born son John E was in school. Widower Edward Jones, 45, from Montgomeryshire lived with them and was also a lead miner. All spoke Welsh.

Bachelor William Roberts, 61, of Gwytherin farmed Bryniog Isaf. Assisting him were his Liverpudlian nephew William, 17, and domestic servant Hannah Owen, 28, of Pentrefoelas. All were Welsh speakers.

Edward Edwards, 69, farmed Bryniog Plas with wife Hannah, 66, both from Capel Garmon. Son John, 37, who assisted on the farm was born in Llanrwst, as was domestic servant Jane Jones aged 15. All were Welsh speakers.


Above: Part of Old Buildings at Bryniog Plas showing view across the Conway Valley

Bryniog Uchaf was farmed by 86 year old Robert Roberts of Gwytherin with wife Anne, 62. Nephew Robert Owen, 37, of Llanrwst, the only bilingual person in the household, worked the farm and Anne Roberts was a 15 year old domestic servant from Gwytherin.

Gorsedd Grycun was the farming home of Thomas Williams, 51. A full account of Thomas and the Gorsedd family can be found on a separate page on this website. Llanrwst born, as were all his children, his wife Jane was 20 years his junior and came from Dolwyddelen. She originally worked on the farm as a domestic servant. Thomas and Jane were my great grandparents. Their family at the time consisted of Owen, 8, Humphrey, 7, Robert, 6, my grandmother Winifred, 4, Hannah, 2, and 8 month old Jane.

Thomas’ mother Gwen at the ripe old age of 91 was also there. All spoke Welsh. Owen, a farmer, later lived at Ty Hwnt i’r Afon, Gwytherin – he never married. Humphrey (or Wmffra) married Ellen and lived at Railway Terrace, Llanrwst. Bob continued to farm Gorsedd and died in 1975 – he remained a bachelor. Winifred married Idwal Glyn Davies (see Glyn Postman article), Hannah married Peter Williams and lived at Ty’n y Bryn, Nant y Rhiw and later Hafoty Gwyn, Pentrefoelas. Jane remained unmarried. Twins Mair and Joseph were yet to be born.

Hugh Parry, 56, a highway labourer from Pentrefoelas, lived at Oerfa. He was married but his wife does not appear to be living there on census day. Son Robert, 34, born in Cerrigydrudion, worked at home, and siblings Jane, 24, and Annie, 17, were both domestic servants. Edith, 7, William, 6 and Ada, 3, completed the family group. All were Welsh speaking and locally born.


Above: Oerfa

Clytiau Teg housed widow Jane Davies, 69, and son Robert, 32, both born in Penmachno. They employed Ffestiniog born John Jones, 15, as a cattleman. All spoke Welsh.

Jane Owen, 70, of Trefriw lived on her own means at Tan Y Ffordd. She was Welsh speaking.

William Jones, 52, of Llanddoged and wife Anne, 52, of Trefriw farmed Tyn y Bryn. At one time, they lived at St Annes, Lancashire, where 27 year old John was born, who worked on the farm. All spoke both languages.


Above: Outbuildings at Tyn y Bryn.

The entry against Bryn y Gwynt reads simply – ‘no one living there’.


Above: Bryn y Gwynt is still being used for farming purposes.

Isaac Morris, 45, born in Llanfairfechan and his wife Elizabeth, 47, farmed Tan y Graig. She was born in the Llanrwst area as were their children William, 21, a lead miner, Elizabeth, also 21, a domestic servant, and Marian (Maria?), 13. All were Welsh speaking, but Isaac and William could also converse in English. Isaac had a head of thick hair, which William Evans of Fronwen used to cut for him with shearing shears in time for the Cyfarfod Pregethu at Nant y Rhiw Chapel because no scissors could cut through it. Isaac's daughter Maria died in 1904 at the age of 19, and he raised his grand-daughter. Maria was buried with Humphrey and Elizabeth Jones of Bryn Esgob, Nebo, leading one to wonder whether perhaps they were the parents of Maria's mother, Elizabeth. Humphrey Jones had died aged 77 in 1886 and Elizabeth aged 84 in 1891.





Above: Tan y Graig is now just a heap of rocks, but once had a wonderful view of the moors and four dwellings within sight.

Farmer William Parry, 59, was at Hafodlas and hailed originally from Pentrefoelas. Living with him was his daughter Jane, 23, a domestic servant born in Llanrwst. Both spoke Welsh.

Creigiau was farmed by William Griffith Jones, 40, and his wife Hannah J, 36. They had two daughters, Margaret Ellen, 6, born in 1895, and William Evan, 3, born in 1898. William's widowed mother Margaret J, 85, and his cousin Evan Morris, 13, an agricultural labourer, also lived there. All spoke Welsh and were born in the Llanrwst area.
William G had been born in Capel Garmon in 1860, and he died 1 February 1916.
His mother was formerly Margaret Roberts, and she had been born 20 March 1811 in Capel Garmon. She lived to be 94, and died 10 December 1909. Her husband, William, died in 1885 aged 72. Another of their daughters, Alice, was buried with them when she died on 23 July 1927, aged 84.

Hannah, William's wife, had been born in 1865, the daughter of Evan roberts, Moeliorwch Isa. She married William Griffith Jones when he was 33 and she was 29 on 9 December 1893. Their witnesses were Hugh Jones and Catherina Ellen Morris.

Shepherd and farmer William Roberts, 68, of Nebo toiled at Penygarnedd with his daughter Grace, 15, a domestic born in Nant y Rhiw, and grandson Walter C, 12, born in Nebo. Agricultural labourer Griffith Jones of Nebo is noted as an imbecile on the census. Walter is the only one who could speak English in addition to Welsh.

Cae Gwyn is noted ‘in ruins’.

The Roberts family farmed Graig Goch: William, 45, wife Anne, 43, and sons William C, 11, and Thomas H, 4. Kate Parry, 20, was a domestic and William Jones, 27, worked as a cowman. All were born around Llanrwst and spoke Welsh.


Above: Graig Goch, Nebo.

Bryn Tawel was farmed by Hugh Jones, 56, of Llanrwst with housekeeper Jane Hughes (53) of Llanrhychwyn. Both spoke Welsh.

The entry for Bryn Bras can be classed as a bit of a collector's item. People could only be entered once on the census, and that for where they were living/staying the day of the census. Margaret Hughes 50, born Llanrhychwyn, is entered as living here on her own means. The census enumerator had entered her in error. Her name is crossed out, with an explanation that she was not at home. She will therefore also appear elsewhere on the census for that day. It appears then that bilingual daughter Catherine J Hughes, 11, a school pupil born in Betws y Coed, was staying there on her own that night.


Above: Bryn Bras, Nebo.

However, Bryn Bras is noted a second time with the family of John Davies, 36, a farmer born in Penmachno living there. John and his wife lived in Pentrefoelas at one time, where son Robert, 10, was born. Within 12 months they’d moved to Gwytherin where the following children were born: Marian, 9, Janine (?), Thomas, 6, Johnny, 4, and Joseph, 3. Domestic servant Ellen A Roberts of Nebo, 18, completed the household. All spoke Welsh. Ellen Ann stayed to look after the family when they moved to Bryniog Uchaf until the girls were old enough to take over the household duties, and then looked after widower William Evans of Fronwen and his children. Ellen Ann was also fluent in spoken and written English and corresponded with her parents in that language when conveying the news of her impending marriage to William Evans in 1906. Rheumatic fever had interrupted her plans to become a teacher.

Slate quarryman Owen Roberts, 54, of Nebo lived at Bryn Hyfryd with wife Margaret, 55, also Nebo born and son Morris, 20, an auctioneer's clerk, born in Llanrwst. 92 year old Mary Roberts of Nebo resided there too – she was Owen’s mother in law. All spoke Welsh.

Bryn Fawnog housed farmer John O D Jones, 36, of Pentrefoelas and wife Eunice Lois, 36. She was born in the Llanrwst area as were children David E, 9, Owen L, 7, and domestic servant Elizabeth Jones, 17. All were Welsh speaking.


Above: The rear of Bryn y Fawnog.

Welsh speaking Margaret Williams, 50, of Nebo occupied one part of Pennant, with the other marked as uninhabited.

Above: Though but a small building, Pen Nant has at times housed two separate families.

Bryn Ty Brith and Pant y Maes were noted as uninhabited.

The final entry for this district enumerated by Owen Hughes, is noted ‘2 houses uninhabited’.

We will now accompany Mr O Evans Jones as he records homes in the Mathebrwd area

We’ll begin with a call at Plas Ucha and meet farmer Thomas Williams, 60, and his wife Alice, 61. They were both Welsh speaking and the remainder of the household were bilingual. Working at home were their daughter Sarah, 26, sons Tom, 24 and Willie, 21. Daughter Maggie, 17, worked as a dressmaker. All were Llanrwst area born.

Corniech housed widower Evan Jones, 70, a farmer, sons Richard, 35, Evan, 24, who was a blacksmith, and bilingual daughter Laura, 39. The others spoke Welsh. All were Llanrwst area born.

Living on her own means at Nant Glyn Ucha was 39 year old widow Mary E Roberts, who farmed there with son Robert J, 19, a carter, and daughter Dora Mary, 13. All were from the Llanrwst area and spoke Welsh.

Llanrwst couple John Edwards, 32, an agricultural labourer and wife Margaret, 27, who worked on her own account making shirts, lived at Cyn y Coed. Both spoke Welsh.

Melin y Glyn was uninhabited. (Please see page "Roots - Evans" for story)

Llansantffraid-born Hugh Jones, 43, farmed at Nant y Glyn Isa. His wife Mary, 38, and son William, 12, were born in Eglwysbach. Domestic servant Mary Edwards, 16, hailed from Ffestiniog. All spoke Welsh.

Dingwern Ucha was occupied by carter William Jones, 50, of Llanddoged. He and his wife Ellen, 50, from Llansantffraid, must have moved to the Melin y Coed area after 1884, as children Frances, 25, a dressmaker, William, 19, also a carter and Jennie, 16, were all born in Llansantffraid. All spoke both languages.

Widow Magdolen Hughes, 42, who lived at Pen Lan, was originally from Aberdaron. Her husband died after 1898. Son David, 20, was a railway goods checker and he and his siblings were born in the Llanrwst area. They were Magdalen, 16, William, 13, Robert G, 9, and Thomas, 3. Apart from Mrs Hughes and young Thomas, they were all bilingual.

Dingwern Isa was an uninhabited property.

Ffrith Galed was noted as not in occupation.

Scot George, 32, and Margaret Haugh, 34, lived at Moelogen Plas. His occupation is noted as ‘Hind’, with ‘Ag Horse’ adjacent to it. John James Bell, a 46 year old visiting farmer from East Ham, was staying with them. Son John W Haugh, 4, was born in Barrow in Furness and 8 month old James H Haugh in Llanrwst. Carter Evan Davies, 21, came from Gwytherin and cattleman John Davies, 27, was from Ffestiniog. The two workers were the only bilingual people there. The family spoke English.

There are no entries against either Moelogen Bach or Moelogen Lodge.

Above: Moelogen Lodge stands empty.

Farmer Evan Jones, 52, farmed Pen y Ffridd. His wife was not at home that night. Daughter Winifred, 17, was at home with siblings Lewis ,16, an apprentice Cabinet maker, and Owen S, aged 14. Evan and these children were from Maenan, and the rest of the family were born in the Llanrwst area, including his cousin Catherine Jones, 13, and Evan's remaining children Cadwaladr ,12, Evan ,9, and Mary 7. Winifred, Lewis, Owen and Catherine were the only bilinguals in the household.

Garth y Foel was farmed by John Roberts, 63, wife Elizabeth, 58 and family Hugh, 34, William, 26, James, 15, and Hannah, 21. All were from the Llanrwst area, and were bilingual apart from John and Elizabeth, who spoke Welsh.

Robert Hughes, 39, farmed Poethfoel with wife Elizabeth, 39, and children David, 17, Lizzie, 13 and Anne 7. All came from Llanrwst apart from Elizabeth, who was from Llangernyw. Lizzie was bilingual, all others were Welsh speaking.

Aaron Jones, 69, and wife Jane, 68, farmed Garth yr Hwylbren and were from the Llanrwst area. Daughter Catherine Foulkes, 30, born in Conwy, also lived here with her husband Owen Foulkes, 35, a lead miner from Llysfaen. Daughter Lizzie, 26, a dressmaker of Llanrwst, was also living there. Aaron and Jane were the only two who could not converse in both languages.

Widow Jane Owens, 68, farmed Coed y Brain with unmarried son Bruce, 29. Grandson Samuel Owens, 19, was an apprentice joiner. Also resident were granddaughters Jane A, 14, and Gwladys, 6. All were Welsh speakers from the Llanrwst area.

Widow Mary Evans 65, a washerwoman, and farm carter David, 26, her son, both of Llanrwst and Welsh speaking, lived at Ty Newydd (now called Gwyndy). Mary previously lived in Glan y Gors before her husband William was killed in a carting accident. Her son William was living at the time in the other Ty Newydd, but he would soon move up the mountain to Fronwen.

Ty’n Twll (on the road up to Carmel) housed farmer Lynch Jones, 52, his wife Alice, 46, both of Llanrwst, daughter Mary E, 17, a domestic servant born in Eglwysbach, Lynch’s mother Dorothy B Jones, an 89 year old widow, and cowman John Hughes, 16, both of Llanrwst. All spoke only Welsh. Dorothy may well have been born in 1811, the daughter of Lynch and Catherine Bridges of Maethebrwd.

Robert Moulsdale of Llanrwst, 31, living on his own means, lived at Bryn Dyffryn with his family. Wife Mabel B, 28, hailed from Liverpool but both their children were Llanrwst born, Robert V B, 3, (Valentine, born 14 February) and John R B, 1. Employed to run the family home were cook Jane Owen, 31, housemaid Grace Owen, 24, both from the Llanrwst area, and Birkenhead born nurse, Alice E Jones. Mabel and Robert spoke English, the remainder were bilingual.


Above: Stable Door at Bryn Dyffryn 2005

Coed Llydan Bach was farmed by David Thomas, 70, of Llangernyw who in 1876 lived at Penmachno where son John, 25, was born. John was a carter on the farm, with Kate Ann Jones, 34, of Llanrwst doing the domestic work. David and Kate were bilingual.

Domestic gardener William Williams, 24, of Llangernyw lived in one part of Ysgoldy with wife Catherine, 22, from Porthmadog. The couple originally lived in Llanddoget where children Robert, 2, and Fanny, 1, were born. Both parents were bilingual.


Above: Ysgoldy in 2007

Another part of Ysgoldy housed game keeper William Roberts, 48, of Gwytherin, and Llanfair born wife Margaret, 12 years his junior. When daughter Jane, 12, was born, they lived at Llansannan, moving to Llangernyw for the births of William, 9 (later Wil Bod Wilym who married Mary, daughter of William and Eliza Evans), Michael, 7, and Robert, 5. Daughters Mary E, 3, and Catherine, 11 months, were born locally. Only William and daughter Jane spoke both languages.

Farming Coed Llydan Isa at that time was 66 year old John Jones and wife Sarah,57. Daughter Maggie E, 22, also lived at home. All came from the locality and were bilingual.


Above: Coed Llydan

David Jones, 46, a road labourer of Llanelian, lived at Pont y Clwt with his wife Anne, 52, and daughter Anne, 12. The ladies were born locally, but daughter Anne was the only bilingual person in the household. Anne later went to work in Manchester, and when she came back she lived at Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt to look after the old lady living there. When the old lady died, Anne married Hugh Evans, who was then living in Garth Hebog near his brother William in Fronwen, and they bought Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt from the heirs.


Above: Pont y Clwt

Bethel housed lead miner John Evans, 30, of Llanrwst and his wife Catherine, 42, of Dolwyddelen. The children were born locally. R O Evans was 5, Margaret 3 and W Saunders 7 months. John Jones, also recorded as a son, was 14 and the only bilingual person in the home.


Above: Bethel

Bethel is also recorded as housing shepherd Lewis Hughes, 26, of Cerrig y Drudion and his local wife Lizzie, 21. Both spoke Welsh.

Farming on his own account at Sychbant was Owen Evans, 54, of the Llanrwst area. His housekeeper Marian Williams, 36, came from Harlech and the children living at the farm were hers from a previous marriage, Elizabeth Jones, 7, Humphrey Williams, 4, and William H Williams, 3, all of Llanrwst. Marian was the only bilingual person.

Tom Bryniog has told the story of Owen Ifan (Evans) and his mule. Owen Ifan used to deliver coal in the village with his mule and cart, and also transport flour from the mill. His was a simple, innocent character, harmless, and the mischievous boys of the district liked to play practical jokes him.

One day Owen Ifan had gone for a rest, leaving the cart and mule or donkey outside his house. Some of the lads took the cart and mule to a nearby kissing-gate or "giat-mochyn (pig-gate)" and there they unhooked the cart and pushed its shafts through the struts of the gate and re-harnessed the mule the other side of it. Then they went and hid. They watched Owen Ifan come out and contemplate the situation in amazement. For ever after he used to boast about the cleverness and prowess of the old mule.

In time, Owen Ifan passed away and one Saturday afternoon his belongings were sold up by Rogers Jones, a Llanrwst company - his clogs, wheelbarrow and butter making equipment, the cart and its harness and other tack, and, of course, the clever old mule.

A family originating from Scotland lived at Bwlch y Gwynt. They were shepherd Duncan McRae, 66, and wife Jane, 50, who both spoke English.

Neighbouring Pennant housed a farmer originating from Sedgley. George Tinsley, 53, employed Catherine Bullock, 71, as a housekeeper and Ellen Bickett, 27, as housemaid, both of Bilston.


Above: Pennant

Robert Thomas, 42, a general farm labourer, lived at Pen y Bryn, Pennant, with wife Ellen, 38, and children William, 16, a feeder of stock on the farm, Catherine, 11, Robert M, 7, Hilda M, 4, and Samuel, 1. All came from the Llanrwst area and were bilingual.

Carter Owen Jones, 34, of Penmachno lived at Ty Newydd, Pennant with his wife Mary, 32, and son William, 12, who were both Llanrwst born. All spoke Welsh.

Single farmer John Jones, 54, ran Tyddyn Ucha on his own account. Sister Anne Jones, 60, kept house for him. Nephew Evan Jones, 20, was a teamster on the farm. All three came from Llanrwst and nephew William, 12, of Ffestiniog also lived there. The brothers were bilingual and the adults spoke Welsh.

Henfaes housed John Owen, 55, a general farm labourer from Beaumaris, and wife Ellen, 54, who came from nearby Betws y Coed. Both spoke Welsh.

Three brothers farmed Llwyn Gronwy with a sister keeping house for them. Morris Roberts, 55, Isaac, 53, and William, 45, were cared for by Ellen. Mary Harker, 18, was a domestic servant there. All were local. Others of the Harker family lived nearby at Nant y Fedwen.

Bangor born William Owen, 66, farmed Bryn Sylltu with carter John Owen, 47, servant Annie Williams, 15, both also from Bangor, and stock feeder Evan Evans, 23, of Llanfair. William and Annie were the only bilingual persons.

Rhydloewy (Rhydloyw)housed John Owen, 25, a general agricultural labourer born locally. He married Annie, 32, of Llandudno, where two of their children were born, Elizabeth, 11, and Owen, 8. About 1884, the family moved to live in the locality where Willie J, 7, and Nellie, 1, were born. All were bilingual.

Another part of Rhydloewy was not occupied. (Rhydloyw)

Farming Llwyn Richard were Robert Jones, 58 and wife Gwen, 54, where children William, 30, Winnie, 19, and Margaret grew up to help their parents. Anne Roberts, 28, a visitor was staying with them. All came from Llanrwst and were Welsh speaking.

Pant Glas was farmed by John Evans, 38, born locally, and his wife Martha, 41, of Penmachno. Elizabeth Williams 24 was employed as a domestic servant. All were Welsh speaking.


Above: Pant Glas in winter

No one was living at Hafod Gilbert at the time of the census.

John Davies, 75, farmed Gorswen with wife Jane, 72. He originated from Llansantffraid and she came from St Asaph. Their children Margaret, 18, Evan, 31, and David, 27, were all born in the Llanrwst area. Only Margaret and David spoke both languages.


Above: Gors Wen

The Harker family lived at Nant y Fedwen. Lead miner John Harker was 44 and wife Jemimah 42. Son Owen, 22, was a farmer on his own account. Thomas, 14, Christopher, 12 and Anne, 7, made up the household. Only John was bilingual, and they were all born in Trewydr.


Above: Nant y Fedwen

Bachelor John Williams, 45, farmed Rhos Farm (once called Rhyd y Fferm) with niece Jennie, 17, a domestic servant, and nephew William, a general labourer on the farm. All were from Llanrwst and Welsh speaking.

Llangernyw born Richard Owen, 42, farmed at Farmyard with Llanfair born wife Jane E, 33. Their children Robert E, 10, John W, 5 and Richard M, 3, were locally born. Their live-in horseman was David Roberts, 26, also locally born.

Sisters Hannah Jones, 21, and Lydia, 11, both noted as farmers daughters, lived at Henffrith. Both were from the area and Welsh speaking.

Stonemason John H Jones, 24, and wife Kate, 23, lived at Carmel Chapel House. Both were born locally and Welsh speaking.

Another stonemason lived at Ty’n y Ffordd. Both Hugh Thomas and wife Ellen were 40 years old. Their family consisted of Mary, 12, William P, 11, Henry, 12, and Robert H, 6. All were Welsh speakers born in the Llanrwst area.

William R Williams, 35, farmed Henblas with wife Grace, 34. Children Owen J, 11, Thomas, 7, Ellen, 4, and 6 month old John were all from Llanrwst and Grace was the only bilingual member of the household, which included dairymaid Elizabeth, 20, general servant Margaret, 19, carter Hugh Evans, 25 (later of Garth Hebog and Pen Ucha'r Gwyllt, the brother of William Evans of Ty Newydd and Fronwen), and cowman Richard Griffiths all locally born, with the exception of Richard Jones, 27, teamster, whose place of birth was not known, other than he was born in Wales.

Foster mother Susannah Davies, 63, of Gwytherin lived at Tyn y Ffordd Bach. Her fostered daughters were Margaret A Jones, 12, of Llanrwst and Gwladys W Jones, 4, of Trefriw. Margaret was the only one to speak both languages.

Living at Rhydlechog were Hugh Hughes, 24, agricultural labourer of Llangernyw, wife Jane, 30, of Penmachno and 9 month old John R, born locally. His widowed brother in law Edward Roberts, a general labourer, lived with them. Hugh spoke both languages.

Tai Candryll housed widowed farmer’s wife Margaret Williams, 64, and bilingual daughter Margaret Roberts, 34, both from the Llanrwst area.

Cae Ceiliog housed Elizabeth Williams, a 79 year old widow of Llanfihangel. She is noted as being in receipt of Parish Relief. Sharing the property was widowed farmer David Jones, 45, and his children Edith M, 18, and William B, 10, all from the Llanrwst area. Elizabeth was the only one not to speak both languages.


Cae'r Ceiliog in the 21st Century.

Farming on his account at Tyn y Caeau was widower William Jones, 65. His family consisted of daughters Elizabeth, 33, Kate, 21, a college student, and Edith, 16. William could not speak both languages, unlike his daughter. All were locally born.

Lead blend miner William Roberts, 46, of Llanrhychwyn lived at Tafarn y Fedw, with his Liverpudlian wife Sarah A, 42. The couple lived in Ffestiniog originally, where son William, 23, also a lead blend miner, was born. They moved locally and added to their family with Richard, 19, a joiner, John, 16, who must have been one of the youngest photographers working on his own account, David H, 12, and Harry, 4. All were bilingual.

Regarding William Roberts above, Patricia Williams of the Llanrwst Historical Society, tells us: William and Sarah Anne were my great grandparents and the William born in Ffestiniog was my grandfather. He was killed in 1918 in France. John the photographer died aged 32 in 1917, I don't know where.

Sarah Anne, although born in Liverpool, was raised with her siblings by an uncle and aunt (brother and sister) David and Jane Jones at Pantrhedyn, Llangernyw. Sarah Anne was 3 in the 1861 census, living in Llangernyw. Their mother must have died? Their father was William Jones, a miner, according to her marriage entry.

They all died young except for David Hugh who died in Llandudno and Richard, whom I knew nothing of apart from the census information.
Well, just a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a man who had the same details for his great grandfather as I had for mine. The upshot being that Richard Roberts was his grandfather! To make it even more strange, we realised that we had both lived in the same part of Llanrwst and knew each other well!!! Our fathers were first cousins but we never knew it!

William, Sarah's husband, was also a photographer. He took photographs of the tourists coming up from Conwy on the ferry to the Trefriw Spa and he took the first photo of the new Capel Penuel in Trefriw. This supplemented his meagre income from the leadmines. My father did exactly the same thing! (Many thanks, Patricia, for this extra light on these family members.)

William Williams, 29, a saddler from Llanfair TH lived at Tafarn y Fedw Shop with wife Annie, 29, and daughter Jane, 2.

Also at Tafarn Y Fedw was another lady living on Parish Relief; widow Mary Roberts, 80, a locally born Welsh speaker.

Next to her lived Morris Roberts, 33, and his family. He worked as a labourer at a slate quarry. His wife Mary, 31, hailed from Penmachno, and they lived in Ffestiniog originally, where 9 year old Evan P was born. They moved to the Llanrwst area around 1893 where the rest of the family was born, including Morris himself. Johnny Ll,7, Winefred, 3, and Addie, 2. His brother James, 22, worked with Morris at the slate quarry and he had a 5 month old daughter Sally living with him. Sons Evan and Johnny were the only bilingual people living in the home.

Hugh Jones Morris, 25, also lived at Tafarn y Fedw. He was from Gwytherin and worked as a lead miner. Wife Ellen, 27, born in the Llanrwst area, looked after children David G, 6, Mary J, 4, and Owen, 2. Hugh and Ellen were bilingual.

Neighbour Thomas Jones, 52, was an agricultural labourer. His wife Mary, 51, came from Aber, and his brother John Roberts,43, was also an agricultural labourer – both from Llanrwst. Thomas could only speak Welsh; Mary and John were bilingual.

William Roberts, 28, a general labourer and wife Lizzie, 22, had moved to the area around 1889 from Dolbenmaen where daughter Lizzie, 4, was born. Mary, 2, was born locally. The parents were bilingual and had at one time lived at Tafarn Y Fedw.

The last family recorded at Tafarn y Fedw were John T Roberts, 24, and wife Elizabeth, 22, both bilingual and from the locality. John would have been very busy at harvest time, as he was the local driver of the threshing machine.

The Old Turnpike housed general labourer Thomas Jones, 41, wife Mary, 48, and grand daughter Winifred, 7. All were Welsh speaking and born locally.

Lewis Jones, 23, a lead miner and his wife Margaret, 22, both of Llanrwst, are also recorded at The Old Turnpike, but maintaining a separate household.

Farming Dyffryn Aur was David Pierce, 48, locally born, and his wife Josphine, 47, of Penmachno. Employed there were cowman William Morris, 70, of Llangernyw, domestic servant Anne Jane Williams, 27, John Oliver, 22, and fellow general labourer Robert J Arnold,13, all Llanrwst born. Everyone was bilingual.

The final entry in this particular district of the census relates to Bryn Melyn, where Joseph Roberts, 37, recorded as a Pip dealer from Denbigh lived with wife Anne, 39. Her place of birth is recorded as not known. However, children Jonah R, 9, Cadwaladr, 6, and Hannah E, 2, were all locally born. The two youngest were the only ones who could not converse in both languages.

Mr D Ellis-Jones undertook the next district’s enumeration, which commenced at Cyffdy, where a 51 year old widow living on her own means, Janet Mary Morgan from Coliford, Gloucestershire, resided with her daughter Christina Constance Morgan, 25, of Llandilo, Monmouth, and 15 month old grandson Alfred William April Bugbird, born Seaford, Sussex. All were English speaking.


Above: The Front Door at Cyffdy

William Williams, a 67 year old widowed farmer from Trefriw, lived at Cyffdy lodge with his daughter and family. 25 year old Elizabeth had married William Jones, 28 who worked as a carter. They had one daughter, 3 year old Margaret. They were born locally, and only William was not bilingual.

The Blacksmith at Carneddau Smithy was David H Jones 30. He had recently been widowed and was bringing up his young family on his own. He was bilingual, and the children only spoke Welsh. He and his family were born locally. They were Sarah 9, Margaret 7, John 5, Ceridwen 4, and Emily 2. He employed 19 year William Davies of Nevin as a smith.

Bachelor Robert Roberts, 42, from the Llanrwst area farmed Hendre Wen. He spoke both languages. Assisting him were domestic servant Gaeney Edwards 23 from Pentrefoelas, 21 year old carter, David Roberts of Llangerniew and cowman Michael Thomas of Penmachno. They all spoke Welsh.

Agricultural labourer John Owen, 54, wife Diana, 48, and sons John R, 24, Thomas, 17, and Owen, 13, lived at Highgate. All were born locally and bilingual. The sons were also agricultural labourers.

Widowed Margaret Williams, 64, of Betws y Coed farmed Ty Gwyn. Her daughter Margaret Evans, 37, was also widowed and lived at home with her son John G Evans, 10, and brother Robert T Williams, 21, a bailiff on the farm. All were born locally and bilingual. Carter Griffith Humphreys, 40, spoke Welsh and came from Trefriw.

Carneddau Farm is noted as in occupancy, but no one was home that day.

Brynrodyn was farmed by Owen Jones, 39, of Llanbedr with his 37 year old wife Margaret of Dolwyddelen. Their sons Griffith, 19, born in Llanrwst, and Robert, 17, born in Blaenau Ffestinog, both worked at the slate quarry. Daughter Margaret, 14, was a domestic servant and youngest son William, 12, the only bilingual person in the household, was at school. Margaret and William were both born in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Dressmaking on their own account at Croesffordd Berthddu, were mother and daughter Grace Jones, 62 and widowed from Pentrefoelas, and Anne, 32. Her sons Jeremiah, 25, and Caradog, 23, worked as a lead miner and wheelwright respectively. Unmarried 79 year old John Jones was an agricultural labourer from Capel Garmon as were Grace’s daughter and sons. Lodger John Williams, 33, of Gwytherin, worked on the land. Only Caradog was bilingual.

Robert Roberts, 38, lived at Bryn and plied his trade as a gardener. He was locally born. Mary A Williams, 22, was a domestic servant from Bettws y Coed. Robert was entertaining visitors on the day of the census, Arthur E Knight, 38, from Manchester, living on his own means, and his wife Kate, 30, of Bettws y Coed. All were bilingual other than Arthur who spoke English.

Fedw had a busy household, where farmer John Williams, 39, and wife Catherine, 32, raised their children. Florence C was 9, John 7, Grace 5, Margaret 3, and Mary I 2. Robert Hughes, 36, was a carter and Susannah Davies, 17, a domestic servant. The whole household were bilingual and born in the Llanrwst locality.


Looking down from Fron Wen towards Y Fedw and Rhiw.

Thomas Lewis, 35, farmed Rhiw. He and his children were Llanrwst area born but wife Catherine, 28, the only bilingual here, was from Llanddoged. They raised Evan, 6, Anne, 5, William, 3, David I, 1 and 6 month old Jane. 9 year old Margaret Davies is recorded as wife’s daughter.


Above: Rhiw

Penrallt was farmed by Robert E Williams, 29, and wife Jane, 27. They were Llanrwst area born like their children Isabella, 4, and William E, 3, and carter William Thomas, 35. All spoke both languages.

Neighbouring Ty’n Twll had Robert Williams, 51, farming its land with wife Elizabeth, 33. Children William, 8, Jane, 7, Anne E, 5, Robert O, 3, and Margaret M, 10 months together with Robert’s brother Owen, 64, living on his own means, completed the household. All were Welsh speakers and recorded as being born in Llanrwst. (See section on Tyn Twll below).


Above: One of the old buildings at Tyn Twll

Tyddyn Llywarch housed the family of farmer Thomas Jones, 70, and wife Grace, 62. Helping them on the farm were sons Robert E, 31, Edward O, 25 and daughter Margaret J, 22, who helped in the home. Two grandchildren are recorded, Price, 9, and Elizabeth, 3. All were locally born and Welsh speaking other than Edward and Margaret who could also speak English.

Edward Edwards, 60, farming Tyddyn Du but born in Cerrig y Drudion had married Dolgellau born Jane, 58. Their daughters helped on the farm. Joanna, 26, worked as a dairymaid, Edith, 31, and Selina, 19, are noted as housemaids, and son John, 14, a carter. All were Llanrwst area born. Agricultural labourer John Jones, 14, came from nearby Pentrefoelas. All spoke Welsh.

Morris Thomas, 59, farmed Soflan with wife Mary, 58, son Evan, 15, a shepherd, and carter William Hughes, 18. All spoke Welsh and were born locally.


Above: Soflen looking West

John Blackwall, 34, born locally, was living on his own means at Hendre House. His wife Christiana (?), also 34, was a foreign subject from Chile, South America. They had no dependant children living with them, and employed Margaret J Williams, 34, of Llandudno as a parlourmaid, Margaret J Jones, 23, of Birkenhead as a housemaid. Mary J Roberts, 36, of Ffestiniog cooked for the household, and local William Bickers, 18, was their coachman. You can read some more about Hendre House on the relevant link on this website. Christiana could only speak English of the home languages, the others were bilingual.

Retired agricultural labourer John Rowlands, 86, of Pentrefoelas and wife Gwen, 70, from Ysbyty Ifan, both Welsh speaking, lived at Galltyrefail.

Tyddyn Hen had as its occupants Evan Roberts, 68, a farmer from Ysbyty Ifan, his son Thomas, 22, a butcher and Thomas Davies, 54, a cowman, both locally born. Elizabeth Parry, 65, of Llanddeiniolen was housemaid. It was a bilingual household.

Maenan born Lloyd Roberts, a 40 year local agricultural labourer, lived at Pwllymonyn with wife Margaret, 40, of Capel Garmon. Both were bilingual, and their children Elizabeth, 11, and William L, 8, were born locally and spoke Welsh.

Brynderwen was quite a multicultural household. Retired banker, William B Halhed (?), 64, born in Calcutta, was head of the household. His wife Georgiana, 64, also came from those parts – Rungpore. Both their daughters, Emma, 34, and Winifred, 24, were born when the couple lived in Liverpool. Neither is noted with an occupation. All spoke English. The bilingual workforce included Mary Jones, 28, their cook from Cefn Mawr, and waitress Winifred, 22, from Blaenau. Housemaid Margaret Williams, 27, was born in America but was a British subject. Gardener John Jones, 50, was from Llangwno and his wife Dina, 50, came from Llanfair.


Above: Bryn Derwen

Evan Andrew, 54, an agricultural labourer, lived at Caerberllan with wife Margaret 54. Sons Lewis, 26, also an agricultural labourer, and John, 17, an apprentice draper, also lived at home. All were bilingual and from Llanrwst. This was also the home of Margaret’s widowed father Hugh Hughes, 85, of Eglwysbach, a Welsh speaker.

Siamberwen had widowed farmer Evan Roberts, 52, as head of household. His sister Hannah, 62, shared the responsibility of running the home with Evan’s daughters Mary, 22, and Maggie B, 21. Robert Hughes, 14, worked as a yardman. All were Llanrwst born and bilingual.

Farming Plas Tirion was John Evans, a 65 year old from the locality. His wife Margaret, 67, came from Llanrhos. Their son Robert, 24, born locally, helped with the farm work, and was assisted by Peter Morris, a 23 year old carter from Gwytherin. Catherine Jones, 27, of Pentrefoelas assisted in the house. The family were bilingual, and employees were Welsh speaking.

At this point enumerator Mr D Ellis-Jones would have said his farewell to the Evans family, and put his fountain pen away, having completed the Ty Brith Isaf township of Llanrwst for 1901.


Cefn Cestyll

1871 -
Thomas Parry Head M 59 Freeholder of 64 acres b.Llanrwst
Margaret Parry Wife M 55 b. Carnarvon
William Parry Son 18 b. Llanrwst
Catherine Parry Daur 16 b. Llanrwst
Mary Parry Daur 15 Scholar b.Llanrwst
Margaret Parry Daur 11 Scholar b.Llanrwst

1881 -
Margaret Parry Head Wid 61 Farmer’s mother Bethesda,Cae.
William Parry Son S 27 Farmer of 47 acres b. Llanrwst
Catherine Parry Daur S 26 General Servant b.Llanrwst
Edward Jones Servant S 25 Agricultural Labourer b.Bala,Merioneth

1891
William Parry Head M 36 Farmer b.Llanrwst
Alice Parry Wife M 29 b.Llanrwst
Thomas Parry Son 3 b.Llanrwst
Margaret Parry Mother Wid 76 b. Llanrwst
Griffith Davies Servant 14 Farm Servant b. Penmachno

1901
William Parry Head M 47 Farmer b.Llanrwst
Alice Parry Wife M 39 b.Llanrwst
Thomas Parry Son 13 b.Llanrwst
William H. Parry Son 8 b.Llanrwst
M.A. Parry Daur 6 b.Llanrwst
John Parry Son 4 b. Llanrwst
R.A. Parry Daur 2 b. Llanrwst

1871 Census

Garth y Pigau:
Robert Roberts, Widower, Head, 74, Farmer of 120 acres employing 3 labourers and 1 Boy. B. Llanrwst Ditto All.
Evan Roberts, Brother, Unm. 60, Retired Farmer.
Elizabeth do. Daughter, Widow, 37. Farmers daughter.
Evan Roberts, Son, Unmarried, 31, Farmers Son.
Eleanor, Unm, Daughter, 35, Garmers Daughter.
Mary, Daughter, Unm. 33, Farmers Daughter.
Elizabeth Roberts, Grand Daughter, 6
Robert Roberts, Grandson, 4
Richard Roberts, Servant, Unmarried, 21, Farm Servant.
Elias Roberts, Svt Unmarried. 14. General Servant.

1871 Census
Tyn Twll
William Williams, Head, Married, 60, Farmer of 66 acres. B. Llanrwst. Blind.
Jane Wms Wife 56 b. Gwytherin.
Owen Wms. Son Unm 34 b. Llanrwst. Farm-ers son.
Eleanor Wms Daur Unm 26
Margaret Daur Unm 24
Robert Wms Son Unm 21 Farmers Son
William Roberts Grandson 5 Llandudno
Edward Jones, Servant, 15, Farm Servant, Bala.

1871 Census
Penrallt
Robert Lewis, Head, Married, 52, Farmer 38 acres, b. Llanrwst.
Elisabeth Lewis, Wife, Married, 61, b. Llanrwst
Mary Edwards, Servant, Unm. 18, General Servant Domestic, b. Pentrefoelas.
Robert Lewis Serant unm 22 Farm Svt b. Llanrwst.


1881 Surname Andrew
High Gate, Capel Garmon: 1881
Catherine (27) and John Andrew (30), Lewis (6), Margaret (3), William (3 months). All born Llanrwst.

Tyn y Celyn, Capel Garmon
Henry (45) Unmarried (Farmer 24 acres)
Elin (26) Unmarried (sister)Housekeeper
Lewis (18) Nephew Farm Labourer All born Llanrwst.
Alice Andrew (12) Niece Domestic Servant, Agricultural Labour.

2 Groesffordd Berthddu.
Evan Andrew 34, Slate Quarryman, born Capel Garmon, and wife Margaret 34, born Llanrwst. Daughter Mary A, 8, Son Hugh 5, and Daughter Alice, 2

NEBO 1871
Garthgarmon
Pant y grifolen? Unoccupied

20 Ty'n y graig
William Roberts, Mar Head, 38 Farmer of 20 acres Born Llanrwst Parish Denbighshire
Elizabeth Roberts Wife Mar 26 Born Llanelian Parish
Jane Roberts Daughter 3 Born Llanrwst Parish
Robert Roberts Son 7 months b Llanrwst Parish

21 Bryn Cyplau
Cadwaladr Roberts Head Mar 45 Farmer b. Llanrwst Parish
Ellen d Roberts Wife Mar.49 b Llanrwst
Robert Roberts Son Unm 20 Farmer's Son b. Llanrwst Parish
William Roberts Son Unm 15 Farmer's Sonb. Llanrwst Parish

22 Ty Newydd Thomas Evans Head Mar 30 Farmer of 60 acres b. Llanrwst Parish
Hannah Evans Wife Mar 32
Richard Evans Son 8
William Evans Son 6
Margaret I Evans Daughter 4
Robert T Evans Son 1

23 Bryn Bras William Roberts, Head, Unm. 50, farmer of 8(?) acres & Farm labr b. Llanrwst Parish
Catherine Roberts Sister, Unm, 50 (?shd be 48) General Servant b. Llanrwst Parish
Jane Roberts Servant Unm 17(?) b. Llanrwst Parish
(10 years later Catherine was 58 and they had no servant)

24 Bryn Bras Jane Jones, Head, W, 58, Pauper, formerly Farmer's Wife b. Llanrwst Parish
Anne Owen, Lodger, 1 b. Llanrwst Parish

25 No 1 (?) Nebo
Owen Jones, Head, Mar, 26, Slate Quarrier, born Pentrevoelas Parish, Denbs.
Elizabeth Jones Wife, Mar, 24, Slate Quarrier's Wife, b. Gwytherin Parish
John Jones Son, 7, Scholar, b. Llanrwst Parish, Denbighshire
William O. Jones Son, 5, b. Llanrwst Parish
Elias Jones Son, 2, b. Llanrwst Parish


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