Lewis/Bowcott family

[Genieflower]

Hi Iago
Thanks for your reply.  As you see, I only joined Rootsweb when I stumbled across the Davies burial information the other day. 
I was interested to know if you had actrually seen that headstone or if the info came from another source.
I'm researching that particular Davies line - that is, Thomas Davies, b 1831 who married Selina Magdalen Williams. They had 3 children, Jennett b 1857, she married John Hope Evans a Congregational minister.  William, who married Margaret; they had 8 children, 6 still living in 1911, and Thomas Cynog, a Baptist Minister b. 1863 and died 1911.  It was interesting to note from your info from the headstone that Thomas b.1831 lived to such a ripe old age.  In 1911 he was living at Baily Helig with his son William and daughter in law Margaret.
Not yet sure how to use Rootsweb - am I rambling too much? 
Regards - Genieflower

[Iago]

Hello Genieflower

The details ,of the gravestone was taken from a list of Memorial Inscriptions published by Gareth Jones in 1996 for Bethel Chapel Llandefaelog fach Parish  (also known as Bethel Chapel, Lower Chapel (It is adjacent to the B4520 about ˝  mile north of Pwllgloyw and is only about 10 yards outside of Merthyr Cynog Parish Boundary. There is not a Baptist chapel in  Merthyr Cynog Parish although there are two Congregational and two Methodist Chapels in the Parish as well as two Churches and it would appear from the information you have given that they were  Baptists and that would be the reason for them  being buried at  Bethel. (Tynwain is not so very far from  Bethel – in fact it is in the next valley).
I don’t know how much you know about Tynwain – but a word of warning – there are two Tynwains or Tynwauns in M C Parishes (Also two Tynwerns). M C is divided into 4 wards for census purposes; Duffryn Honddu Upper (Upper Chapel) and Duffryn Honddu Lower; Yscirfechan and Yscirfawr – The Tynwain you are interested in is in the Yscirfawr Ward. (According to a little book I have entitled Welsh Place names in Breconshire Tyn-y-waun means house in the meadow and Tyn-y-wern the house in the alders or marsh – now I am rambling on.
In a booklet  entitled “An outline history of Bethel Baptist Church“ under the heading Trustees re Purchase of Land  to build Bethel Chapel  there is a John Williams Tynymaen Merthyr Cynog farmer
The description of the gravestone is given as – Fawn sandstone “coffin lid” on legs:-
To the memory of Selina wife of Thomas Davies of Tynwayn , in the Parish of Merthyr Cynog who died Feb 19th 1865 aged 32 years.
(followed by a religious verse in welsh). Also in loving memory of the said Thomas  Davies who died Oct. 21st. 1925 aged 95 years.
There are a number of gravestones in the vicinity relating to the Williams family who I think would be Selina’s relations but more of that in  the future if you are interested.
I hope to look up the census details in the local library tomorrow and with a bit of luck may be able to give you some more information.
All for now
Best Wishes
Iago

[Genieflower]

Hi Iago
Thank you for this exciting (to me) information.  Some of the Welsh names, being similar, are often difficult to work out.  I am currently awaiting the death certificate of Selina, which I hoped would supply more information.  In the 1841 Census (HO 107/1368/12) Division of Yscirfawr (which you refer to )  Parish of Merthy Cynog, it shows John Williams Farmer, aged 50 with Elizabeth aged 45, and 10 children, I assume to be theirs - the 1841 not giving away all that much -  of the 10 children, there is a Selina aged 9, and without positive proof as yet, I am working on the assumption she is the Selina who married Thomas Davies.  Only a parish register would prove this of course.  In the 1851 Census,  Parish of Merthyr Cynog (HO107/2489)  there is a Benjamin Davies farmer of 50 acres at Tygwyn, who has a 21 year old son named Thomas, and I believe this is the Thomas who married Selina Williams.  It seems quite likely that the daughter of one farmer, would marry the son of another farmer.  Do you know what they would have farmed in those days in that area?  All very interesting, trying to piece these things together.
Regards from Genieflower

[Iago]

Hello again Genieflower
Pleased that you found the information interesting and I think I have some more that you will enjoy. But first can I suggest you submit a "look up Request" to RootChat.com with a different heading as at present our messages are getting mixed up with the Lewis/Bowcott family which has no connections whatsoever.
I have a strong inclination that Selina Davies nee Williams was the daughter of John Williams of Nantygwreiddyn a farm adjoining Tynwain and would suggest a Look up Request such as "Williams Family Nantygwreiddyn Farm Pontfaen Brecon" or Davies Family Tynwain Pontfaen Brecon  but I think you will get more info on the Williams Family.
You can still use your nomdeplume of Genieflower - let me know if you submit a new Look up request and I will send you some more info - I don't think it costs anything. At present the general public will only relate to Lewis / Bowcott and not your request.
Hope I haven't confused things
Best Wishes
Iago

[Genieflower]

Hi Iago

Thanks for that - wasn't sure how to change to Lewis Bowcott heading!  So I'll certainly take up your suggestion with the Look-up request.  I'm pretty sure that Selina is from the family you mention, but hoping that as soon as her marriage certificate arrives, which I've ordered and expect any day, it will shed more light, and I can be more positive then in providing correct information for any look-up requests. 
You are obviously very familiar with the area, and also of how this all works, so thank you so much for that. 
I think there is also a way of connecting 'personally' by email as well, which I am happy to do along the way.
Thanks for your help
Regards
Genieflower

[Iago]

Hello Genieflower
Thanks for your message - yes I do know the area quite well but am not all that proficient in the computer world and am not able to advise you but I do believe it is possible to send emails direct to each other and am quite willing to co-operate but I don't know the procedures for doing it.

Using nomdeplumes is essential to keep our privacy but in a recent exchange of correspondence I was conversing with someone I felt sure was a male and it turned out to be a female  and that same person thought I was a female - how wrong can one be - so if we do get to the stage where we are sending messages to each other I am letting you know that I am male -Iago does not give much of a clue  to gender.
Went to Brecon Library today  but was disappointed in my look ups
Speak to you again
Best Wishes
Iago

[Genieflower]

Hi Iago
Bit of a blow as I have discovered I inadvertently entered the incorrect Quater on a marriage cert I am keenly awaiting, to prove the parents names.  I believe I am have been on the wrong track, and should be tracking the family of William Davies who was born c1795 in Llanvihangelfach (?) as he and his wife Jennet are probably the parents of Thomas who married Selina.  Once I know I have the correct info I will be able to post look up requests under Davies/Williams.
As the Lewis/Bowcott is no connection, I'll stop using this as a reply.
By the way, Genieflower I feel, is a good gender clue. 
Regards