The mysterious Edward Langford Jones of Edenhope Farm, Mainstone

[Mimble]

Please help me find this man! I have been told that "there are parish entries/headstones for an Edward Langford Jones of Edenhope whose wife Jessie Ann died in 1908 and second wife Sara Elizabeth in 1926; an Edward Langford Jones died 1940 aged 89 years" which means he was born in 1851.

The mystery is that I am trying to find out more about my Jones family who originated in Bettws Cedewen in the late 1700s, Edward Jones b. 1793 and Mary b. 1796,via Llandyssil to Kerry in 1841 and to Mainstone in 1851. They occupied the largest farm in the area, Lower Edenhope Farm.

In the 1841 the family living there was called Langford, also headed by an Edward b. 1791, and apparently they had some connection with my Jones family. Local knowledge even thought apparently that it was 'the same family'. Now I know it wasn't because the Langford family went on to a large farm in Chirbury where they are shown in the 1851 census.

But who is this mysterious Edward Langford Jones? I surmise that he was perhaps an illegitimate son of a Jones daughter and a Langford son...born in 1851 after the census (because he doesn't appear in it) but where did he go? Did his mother marry and was he assumed into a new family? Then why was he called 'of Edenhope'? He doesn't seem to appear in any of the censuses.

Any help with this would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mary

[Annette7]

I have found the Edward Langford Jones who married Jessie Ann on the 1901 and 1881 Census in Wales.   

First, he is not the ELJ who died 1940 aged 89 i.e. bc.1851.

Edward Langford Jones married Jessie Annie Stephens in 1897 Forden, Montgomeryshire and Sarah Elizabeth Corfield Dec.1909 Forden, Montgomershire - however, he was born in 1871 (not 1851).

1901 Census - Argoed Farm, Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire, Wales

Edward L. Jones     30    Farmer       b. Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire.
Jessie A. Jones        25                     b. Chirbury, Shropshire
Richard C. Jones      3                       b. Churchstoke
Jessie M. Jones        1                            ditto
Margaret Jones    Servant  16         b. Bishops Castle, Salop
John Parry                ditto   21         b. Chirbury, Salop
Robert E. Jones        ditto   20         b. Churchstoke, Mont.
Charles Jones           ditto  16               ditto

ref. RG13 5199 30 6

1881 Census - Pentre, Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire, Wales

Richard Jones      44    Farmer of 130 Acres employing 3 labourers
                                                       b. Bettws, Montgomeryshire
Elizabeth Jones   42                        b. Berriew, Mont.
Edward L. Jones  10                        b. Churchstoke
Emily M. Jones       3                        b. Churchstoke

There was one other marriage for an Edward Langford Jones - 1869 Montgomery, Shropshire plus the 1861 Census for Oswestry, Shropshire shows an Edward L. Jones, nephew to a Charles Carrington and family - he was 10 and born Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales - possibly the one died 1940?.

Certainly, the one who married Jessie/Sarah was born 1871.

Whilst I can't provide the link you seek hope this clarifies who the Edward Langford Jones was who married Jessie and Sarah.

Good luck.

Annette 

[Mimble]

Dear Annette
Thank you so much - I shall follow up on this interesting information!
Mary

[mfj]

Mary

I believe the Edward Langford Jones you refer to is my great grandfather. He is buried in the graveyard at Mainstone Church.

He was married three times and was outlived by his third, much younger wife.

A number of his sons became successful farmers and one daughter married a farmer near Welshpool.

My grandmother was a daughter by his second marriage and was left to bring up her younger siblings after her mother died. She married at Bishops Castle and had one child, my mother.

My grandmother and grandfather lived for many years in Montgomery and we have relatives across the Welsh Marches in Powys and Shropshire. There are still many Jones and Corfields in the area farming.

My grandfather, who was a local bank manager, and my grandmother are both dead but my mother - also a Jones - is alive, well and living in Ludlow although, as a family, we lived for many years in Scotland, where my father was involved in the newspaper industry.

I would strongly recommend you visit Edenhope, which is still a working farm and sits in a beautiful valley, and Mainstone as soon as you can. The little school where my grandmother and her many brothers and sisters studies is still there but it's a private house now.

I would be delighted to tell you more about the Jones should you wish.

Very best regards

Michael