Walter Powell Jeffreys

About 1825 a young man named Walter Powell Jeffreys left his parents’ home, Ystradwalter near Llandovery, Wales to begin a career. He traveled north to Liverpool establishing himself in business as a woolen draper and silk mercer in the thriving port city. In partnership with David Morgan, he operated Jeffreys & Morgan, silk mercers, at 3 Ranelagh Street. As a woolen draper and merchant he operated Jeffreys, Davies & Company for over thirty years from offices on Prices Street.

Ystradwalter Farm, photo JB Jeffreys 1999

As a successful businessman Walter soon turned to civic affairs. His first election to public office was as a member of the Select Vestry. In the two years he held that post he assisted in rating all the cottage property in the parish reaping the sum of £14,000 a year for the benefit of the poor. He was for several terms elected representative for the Pitt Street Ward to the Liverpool Town Council and sat on several committees: Education, the Watch, the Baths and the Improvement Committees.

On October 6, 1840 he married Anne Price at Cilycwm Church near Llandovery. Anne was the daughter of Daniel Price of Erryd House, who was a Llandovery merchant and later Provost Martial at Montserrat in the West Indies. Anne was the niece of David Powell Price (1790-1854), Admiral, R.N..


Erryd House, photo JB Jeffreys 1999

The Towy River coursing through the Erryd property

Erryd Fishing Cottage on the banks of the Towy, now in ruins, but probably a pleasant spot when the Price family was in residence

Erryd is a lovely two-story, 18th century house overlooking the Towy River valley. When our Price ancestors lived there the house was encased in vines. There are no vines any longer and the home is in immaculate condition. I spent a delightful afternoon with the owners of Erryd House, Brian and Ann Jones, in the spring of 1999. Ann was thrilled to show me around and give all of the details of the house, its construction and history. The basement has a wine cellar containing dozens and dozens of ancient (empty) wine bottles.

Walter P. Jeffreys and his wife Anne had one son, Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. who was born in Liverpool on November 15, 1843. Sadly, young Walter lost his mother when he was just four and one-half years old. There is a marble tablet to the memory of Anne Price Jeffreys inside the Cilycwm Church. The grieving father sent his young son to Carmarthenshire to live with his great Aunt Margaret and his mother’s sister, Mary Price, at Erryd House. His grandparents, Rees and Anne Price were already dead by 1848.

Walter’s brother Rees Jeffreys worked with him at Jeffreys, Davies & Company. Eventually Rees’ son, John Henderson Jeffreys, took over the business on Walter’s retirement.

Bacon’s Tourist Map of Liverpool, sold by J. H. Bishop, Stationer, 6 Ranelagh Place, Liverpool

Memorial Tablet inside the Cilycwm Church:

This Tablet was erected by her disconsolate husband,

WALTER POWELL JEFFREYS
of Liverpool, and of Llwynfron in this County, Gent., under a deep sense of his own bereavement, and that of his only child, and in affectionate remembrance of his beloved wife,
ANNE JEFFREYS who was the eldest daughter of Daniel Price, Esq., Late Provost Martial at Montserrat; and granddaughter of Rees Price, Esqr. Of Bwlchtrebanne in this Parish. Her cheerful disposition, active benevolence and resignation to her Maker’s Will, enabled her to discharge faithfully during a painful and protracted illness, the Christian duties of the Wife, Mother, Friend.
Born on the 30th day of November, A.D. 1814, at Llandovery. She died the 2nd day of April, A.D. 1848, at Liverpool. Beloved and Regretted most by those who knew her best. To her, “To Live was Christ and to Die was Gain.”

Anne (Price) Jeffreys

Walter Powell Jeffreys, Sr.

After a few years with his mother’s family, Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. went back to Liverpool to be with his father. He attended Rev. T. L. Pain’s School. It was there he met young Nicholas Robinson, who became a lifelong friend and his future brother-in-law. Later, Walter continued his education at Shrewsbury School, and following that, traveled throughout Europe with Nicholas Robinson on the “Grand Tour” as young men of the time did to round out their education.

From the 1851 Census of Liverpool, England at 29 Washington Street, Rodney Street Ward, we find in the home the father and son, sister-in-law Mary Price, and a visiting Wesleyan Minister, John Bartley of Carnarvon. Walter, Sr. was employing Elizabeth Edwards as cook and James Birch as butler.

Walter’s brother, Rees Jeffreys, also lived in Liverpool and worked at Jeffreys, Davies & Company. He and his family are found on the 1851 Census of Liverpool at 6 Prices Street, Pitt Street Ward. Rees and Winefred Jeffreys had four young children: David, John, Walter, and Margaret.

About 1867, Walter Powell Jeffreys, Sr. found his health declining and decided he would retire from his civic duties and business enterprise. He did not run for re-election to the Town Council and sold the firm of Jeffreys, Davies & Company to his nephew, John Henderson Jeffreys, in partnership with David Davies. Walter, Sr. and his son found a lovely home, Henllys, about three miles from Llandovery and the same distance south of Cilycwm. Henllys (meaning “Old Court”) is a long, low white house with a beautiful garden and meadows, facing the hills of the River Towy below. The father and son lived there with their wonderful housekeeper to look after them and the maids. Walter Sr. didn't completely retire from public service - he did serve as Mayor of Llandovery.  On June 24, 1869, Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr., married Agnes Robinson, the sister to his dear friend Nicholas Robinson. They were married at Cockshutt Church, Ellesmere, Shropshire. Walter P. Jeffreys, Sr., gave up Henllys to them and went to live in Llandovery at Mile End House with his devoted housekeeper, Anne Knowles.

Henllys, photo JB Jeffreys 2006
When in Llandovery you may consider the Henllys Estate, which now offers bed and breakfast accommodations. http://www.henllysestate.co.uk/

Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. served as a Justice of the Peace for the county of Carmarthenshire and the county of Breconshire. In 1889-90 he was High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire. He served in the Royal Brecon Militia attaining the rank of Captain. Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. and Agnes (Robinson) Jeffreys were the parents of five children, all born at Henllys, four of whom grew to adulthood.

Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr., Deputy Lieutenant, Royal Brecon Militia

Their first child, a son, Walter Herbert Jeffreys, was born April 24, 1870. He later attended school at Harrow and like his father was a member of the South Wales Borderers (Royal Brecon Militia). He worked as a government storesman in Tahana, New Zealand. Herbert died in London, unmarried, on December 16, 1910 and was buried at Cynghordy.

Their second child, a daughter, was born on October 6, 1871 and was called Anne Euphemia after her two grandmothers, Anne Jeffreys and Euphemia Robinson. On July 26, 1894 she married George Francis Heath at Cynghordy. They lived at Maidenhead until George’s death on February 23, 1903 and Anne Euphemia’s death on November 16, 1910. They had one daughter, Mona Violet Effie Heath, born on May 10, 1895.

Mona Violet Effie Heath resided at Becket Bigbury on Sea in South Devon. She died of ovarian cancer on February 26, 1938. She was unmarried and of independent means.

Agnes Cecile “Dot” Jeffreys, their third child, was born on March 17, 1873 and was named for her mother and her uncle, Edward Cecil Robinson. Always known as “Dot,” she lived with her father much of her life, and later at her grandfather’s estate in Shropshire. She died unmarried on October 23, 1956.

 

Agnes Cecile “Aunt Dot” Jeffreys

Kathleen Augusta Jeffreys was born on August 5, 1875, and died on September 2, 1875.

In 1867, the elder Walter P. Jeffreys’ health was deteriorating. His dutiful servant, Anne Knowles, and his daughter-in-law, Agnes Jeffreys, were caring for him. Walter, Sr., died at Mile End House in Llandovery on January 7, 1877, and was buried near his parents, David and Elizabeth Jeffreys, at St. Mary’s Church, Llanfair-ary-bryn, Llandovery.

Walter Powell Jeffreys, the Elder

1808-1877

This vintage postcard of Llanfair-ary bryn was a gift from David Gealy of Llandovery. On a 2006 visit after lunch served by his charming wife, David gave this writer an interesting tour of the church, its tower and cemetery. Following that we visited Henllys to see the superb renovation done by the present owners, the Magills. From there we drove along the river road north past Erryd House to Nant Ddu where William Jeffreys lived 150 years ago.

In Walter's will, which was executed by him on December 30, 1876, he left an annuity to his servant, Anne Knowles, for the remainder of her life. All of his real and personal property was left to his only child, Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. In the estate were the lands of his grandfather, Morgan Jeffreys, in Llanddeusant Parish, including the family home there, Llwynyfron.

Charles Nicholas Theodore Jeffreys was born on November 19, 1877. He attended school at Radley, where he was Senior Prefect and rowed in the Radley VIII. He became a solicitor and worked in Liverpool and London before becoming the Town Clerk of Brighton. He was married in 1904 to Ida Baines Forwood, daughter of Sir A. B. Forwood, Bart. Charlie and Ida Jeffreys retired to Cheltenham, where he died on July 11, 1957.

Shortly after Charles’s birth, Agnes Jeffreys died suddenly as a result of childbirth, at Henllys, and was buried at Cilycwm Church.

Walter hired a staff to assist with the young children and run the household: Agnes Sharp, a Scot, was the childrens’ governess of whom they were quite fond; Caroline Roberts was the domestic nurse; Hannah Jenkins, cook; Mary Staut, housemaid; Elizabeth Edge, nurse; and Eliza Williams, dairy maid.

At the age of 40, Walter would marry again, a girl of 20, who was actually the sister-in-law of his dear friend Nicholas Robinson. On November 6, 1883, Walter Powell Jeffreys and Frances Constance Jones, daughter of Charles Gwillim Jones, Esq., a London solicitor, were married at St. George’s Church, Hanover Square, London. They had one son, Geoffrey Jeffreys, who was born on March 27, 1885, in London.

Frances Constance Jones Jeffreys, with Scope

Cynghordy Hall, circa 1910, photo by Geoffrey Jeffreys

They resided at Henllys for a time before purchasing Cynghordy Hall and approximately 650 adjoining acres. After extensive renovations, the Jeffreys entertained guests and spent many hours in hunting and fishing for many years.

Geoffrey Jeffreys

Geoffrey Jeffreys (1885-1953), only child of Walter P. and Frances Constance Jeffreys, pioneered the early oil exploration of Mexico and continued his career as an international petroleum geologist throughout the Americas. Geoffrey married Miss Ina Littell in 1915 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Walter Powell and Frances Constance Jeffreys sold the Cynghordy Estate in 1917 and moved to England.

Transcribed below is a letter written by Walter P. Jeffreys shortly before his death to his daughter-in-law, Ina Jeffreys:

Telephone 32.
Forde,
Ashford Carbonell,
Ludlow.

2nd Feby, 1920

My dear Ina,

All my correspondence has fallen into arrears. I must apologize for not writing you before this. Your letter of last month was full of interest. How you must enjoy seeing your pupils on the violin coming on so well. The weather here too has been wretched, rain, rain, and boisterous winds. Rivers nearly bank high, but on the whole the temperature has been fairly mild for winter- but we do not get the warm lovely sun you do - instead we have frowning cloudy damp; depressing atmosphere. I suppose the northers account for the cold spell you have had - such as I experienced for a few days at Tampico when I went to see Geoff. The Hotel there where I stayed at lent itself to admitting the icy feel throughout the building - it penetrated everywhere. But the tarpon fishing I did enjoy there. I imagine the flowers out with you in the Southern States must be lovely. I hope your bulbs have flowered well. We have had to turf over some of our flower beds; have only about a couple of borders of hardy stuff. I saw today a few primroses (not the wild ones) showing, but they look weakly owing to the damp and rain - but Dot has seen a few wild ones in a sheltered hedgerow. Have you had more bass fishing? Please tell Geoff I will write him in a few days -; possibly his letter will arrive by the same mail as you receive this - as I don’t know the departure of the Steamers to US. 
So With our united best - love to you and Geoff - Believe me
Yours affect’ly,
Walter P. Jeffreys

Captain Walter Powell Jeffreys died in 1920 while living at The Forde, Ashford Carbonell, near Ludlow, England. He was buried at Cynghordy, the church he was the major benefactor, where there is a large marble tablet to his memory.

The Forde, Ashford Carbonel, Ludlow, England

References:
Pen and Ink Sketches of Liverpool Town Councillors. Liverpool, 1866, reprinted from the “Liverpool Mercury,” 1857, p 179
Census Records of Carmarthenshire, Wales and Liverpool, England
Robinson, Nicholas (1915) “Some Memoirs of Nicholas Robinson and his Family” (Private printing)
Records in the General Register Office of England

LLWYNYFRON in the parish of Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, Wales


Llwynyfron, circa 1900

One home in the possession of the Jeffreys family for several generations is Llwynyfron in the parish of Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire.


View from Llwynyfron

LLANDDEUSANT: "LLANTHOYSAINT (LLAN-Y-DDEU-SANT), a parish, in the union of LLANDOVERY, lower division of the hundred of PERVERTH, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 6 miles (S.E. by E.) from Llangadock; comprising the hamlets of Blaen-Sawdde with Maes-y-Fynnon, and Quarter Mawr with Gwydre, and containing 942 inhabitants. . . It comprises 11,510 acres, of which 7307 are cultivated, and 4203 uninclosed mountainous land, over which the inhabitants have a right of pasturage and turbary. The surrounding scenery is strikingly diversified, combining features of picturesque and rural beauty with objects of bold and romantic grandeur. That part of the Black Mountain which is within the parish forms the loftiest elevation in the county . . . The church, dedicated to St. Simon and St. Jude, is inconveniently situated at the eastern extremity of the parish, at the foot of the Black Mountain . . . A fair is held annually in the village on the 10th of October. The living is annexed to the vicarage of Llangadock. . . There is a meeting-house for Calvinistic Methodists, who have also five Sunday schools, in which 620 males and females are taught gratuitously; and there is a day school, in which 60 children are instructed at the expense of their parents." [From: A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1844)]

Parish Church, Church of St. Simon and St. Jude

My great-great-great-great grandfather was Morgan Jeffreys, who was born in 1739 in Llywel parish, the son of William and Mary Jeffreys. Both of Morgan’s parents, William who died in 1743 and Mary who died in 1744, are buried in Llywel church yard.

By his Last Will and Testament which is dated December 26, 1740, William Jeffreys left certain property, including Llwynyfron in Llanddeusant parish to his son Morgan:

“…I give and bequeath unto Morgan Jeffreys my only son two messuages or tenements of lands known by the names of Glan Hamgan & Blaen Hamgan when he comes to the age of twenty one years and if in case it shall happen that my well beloved wife Mary shall be married before my said son Morgan shall arrive to the said age of twenty one years that then and from that day of her marriage the said tenements shall be my said son Morgan’s without hinderance, claim or deduction by her my said wife Mary. Also I bequeath that my said son Morgan Jeffreys shall pay unto my said three daughters viz: Jonet, Gladis & Mary, the sum of sixty pounds to be equally divided amongst my three said daughters or to the survivors of them in three years time, viz, twenty pounds every Feast Day of St. Michael paying the best first & so forth to the youngest which said sum of three pounds I bequeath to be paid by my said son Morgan when he shall have the estates bequeathed him in Llanddoisant by his uncle Morgan Morgans…”

Morgan Jeffreys married Sarah Powell on September 21, 1764 at Devynock. Sarah was the daughter of David Powell of Abersenny and his wife, Margaret Morgan. Morgan and Sarah Jeffreys had nine children, the first three being baptized at Llywel: Mary, born 1766, William, born 1768 and Margaret, born 1770. Between 1770 and 1773 they moved to Llwynyfron, Llanddeusant, and their other six children were all born there and baptized at Llanddeusant.

Llwynyfron, photo J B Jeffreys 1998
LLWYN Y FRON, Llanddeusant.
Near the north banks of afon Sawdde, and 1¼ miles south-west of the parish church. Home of the Aubrey family who were living there when Dunn recorded their pedigree in 1609. On 20 May of that year Rees David ap Meredith ap Watkin otherwise called Rees Awbrey, mortgaged land in a place or island called Castanog in Llangunnor, to Lewis David ap Ieuan, gent. Lewis Aubrey, gent., lived there in 1635. In the latter half of the 18th century it was owned and occupied by Morgan Jeffreys, gent., (died 1798, aged 59), and in 1862 was owned by Walter Powell Jeffreys of 20 Price Street, Liverpool. W.P. Jeffreys’ son and namesake returned to the country, and lived at the following mansions – Henllys, Cynghordy and Blaen-nos – but afterwards moved to Shropshire where he died in the early 1920’s.
(Jones, Francis (1997 Final Edition) Historic Carmarthenshire Homes and Their Families)

Sawdde River passing through Llwynyfron property, photo J B Jeffreys, 1998

By his Last Will & Testament Morgan Jeffreys left Llwynyfron to his son, David Jeffreys, in trust for the benefit of his grandson, Morgan Jeffreys. The young Morgan Jeffreys was the son of William Jeffreys, who had died in 1796.

This is the last will and Testament of me, MORGAN JEFFREYS, of Llwynyfron in the parish of Llanthoisaint in the County of Carmarthen, Gentleman, of which I have caused another part to be written of the same tenor and form as this.
FIRST I give and devise unto my son DAVID JEFFREYS that capital messuage tenement and lands with the appurtnenances called Llwynyfron in my own occupation, also that water grist mill with the appurtenances called Llwynyfron Mill now in the occupation of William Morgan, also that cottage and garden now in the occupation of David John Francis, also that cottage garden and lands now in the occupation of Thomas David Howell, all which said messuage, tenement, mill, lands and premises are situate in the parish of Llanthoisaint in the county of Carmarthen, to have and to hold (subject to the payment of the sums hereinafter mentioned and charged and all interest due on mortgage affecting the whole of my real estate) the said messuage, tenement, mill, cottages, lands and premises to him the said DAVID JEFFREYS for his own use until my grandson, MORGAN JEFFREYS (son of WILLIAM JEFFREYS, late of Languhe in the County of Glamorgan, deceased) shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, without impeachment of waste, reserving except for necessary repairs, all oak, timber, trees or oak saplings likely to become timber. Then when my said grandson shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, I give and devise the said messuage, tenement, mill, cottages, lands and premises unto my grandson MORGAN JEFFREYS, his heirs and assigns forever, subject, however to the payment of the sums hereafter mentioned and affecting the same. But in case that my said grandson shall die before he arrives at the age of twenty one years then I give and devise the aforesaid messuage, tenement, mill, cottages, lands and premises with the appurtenances to my son DAVID JEFFREYS, his heirs and assigns forever, subject, however, to the payment of the sums hereafter mentioned and affecting the same. And I do expressly charge and subject the aforesaid messuage, tenement, mill, cottages, lands and premises with the appurtenances with the payment of the sum of two hundred pounds, which said sum of two hundred pounds I give and bequeath to my granddaughters MARGARET JEFFREYS and SARAH JEFFREYS (daughters of my son WILLIAM JEFFREYS, late of the parish of Languhe in the county of Glamorgan, deceased) to be paid them respectively at their respective ages of twenty one years, and in case either of them shall die before the age of twenty one years, then I give the share of her so dying unto the survivor of them. Also I do expressly charge and subject the aforesaid messuage, tenement, mill, cottages, lands and premises with the appurtenances with the payment of all mortgages as well affecting the aforesaid messuage, tenement, mill, lands, cottages and premises respectively as my other messuages, tenement, lands and premises called Penymaen, Abbercrynfe and the house and land situate in the village of Talsarn I expressly will and direct to be made clear of all mortgages affecting the same.
I give and devise unto my son DAVID JEFFREYS all that messuage, tenement and land with the appurtenances called Penymaen in the occupation of Rees Thomas Morgan, also a certain field called Pentroynne in my own occupation, also a house and land in the village of Talsarn, all which said messuage, tenement, lands, house and premises are situate in the parish of Lanthoisaint, to hold to him the said DAVID JEFFREYS, his heirs and assigns forever, subject nevertheless, and I do hereby expressly charge the same with the payment of forty pounds, which sum of forty pounds I give and bequeath unto my daughter JOAN JEFFREYS, to be paid her at the expiration of twelve months next after my decease.
Also I give and devise unto my son MORGAN JEFFREYS all that messuage, tenement and land with the appurtenances called Abbercrynfe in the parish of Llanthoisaint in the occupation of David Lewis David to hold to him the said MORGAN JEFFREYS, his heirs and assigns forever, subject nevertheless, and I do expressly charge the said messuage, tenement and land called Abbercrynfe with the payment of the several sums hereinafter mentioned.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter ANNE JEFFREYS the sum of eighty pounds. I give and bequeath unto my daughter JOAN JEFFREYS the sum of forty pounds. I give and bequeath unto my daughter MARY PRITCHARD the sum of five pounds. I give and bequeath unto my daughter MARGARET LEWIS the sum of five pounds, which several sums I will and direct to be paid my respective daughters at the expiration of twelve months next after my decease by my said son MORGAN JEFFREYS.
Also I give and bequeath unto my daughters JOAN JEFFREYS and ANNE JEFFREYS all the chambering (commonly called in Welsh stafell) that I received with their mother to be equally divided between them.
Lastly, I give and bequeath unto my son DAVID JEFFREYS all my personal estate whatsoever whom I appoint and nominate sole executor of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby revoke and make void all will and wills by me heretofore made.
IN WITNESS whereof, I, the said MORGAN JEFFREYS, the testator, have hereunto set my hand and seal, the thirty first day of March, One thousand seven hundred and ninety eight.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by
the said Morgan Jeffreys, the testator, as
and for his Last Will and Testament in the
presence of us, who at his request, in his
presence and in the presence of each other,
have subscribed our names as witnesses
thereto, as we have at the same time
likewise done to a duplicate thereof.

Morgan Jeffreys

L. Lewis of Cwmclydach
John Lewis of Pencrug
Thomas Morgan, Cwmddu


Llwynyfron remained in the ownership of the Jeffreys until 1886 when Walter Powell Jeffreys, Jr. sold Llwynyfron and Llwynyfron Mill to Daniel Thomas.

Llwynyfron Mill, photo JB Jeffreys, 1998
The Thomas Family

Daniel Thomas was born about 1845, the son of Thomas Thomas of Panthowel and his wife, Margaret.

PANT HYWEL, Llanddeusant.
One mile north-east of Pontarllechau bridge over the Sawdde; rendered as Pant Hywel on Colby’s Map 1831, but as Panthowel on modern O.S. maps. Home of the Lewis Family from the early 17th century, who also lived at Penrhiw and Penycrug in the same parish, descended from Owen Gethin of Glyntawe, whose arms they bore. In the 19th century they moved to Gilfach and Llwyncelyn.
(Jones, Francis (1997 Final Edition) Historic Carmarthenshire Homes and Their Families)

Dan Thomas would marry Martha Lewis and their descendants occupy Llwynyfron today (2008). Martha Lewis was born about 1860 and was the daughter of John Lewis of Tir paum, and his wife, Anne. Her father, John Lewis, was a son of Llewellyn Lewis and his wife, Margaret Harries Lewis, of Tredomen.

Tom Thomas (standing), parents Martha (Lewis) Thomas and Daniel Thomas. Martha Lewis was a daughter of John Lewis of Tir Paum; and John Lewis of Tir Paum was a son of Llewellyn Lewis of Tredomen.