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Translation of "Memories of Old Caeglas Family" |
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FelRh087TransOld Fam of Caeglas 3.6.2003 (Article in the Herald Gymraeg June 1929 by Croesorydd i.e. Hugh Jones) from G. Bloor Caeglas Caeglas is an old whitewashed house, majestic it’s outlook, firm on it’s foundation It is situated in a lovely spot in the district, just a field’s width from the old road which leads through Croesor from Tanybwlch and down to Namor to the main road at Pont Aberglaslyn. It is thought that on the same foundation as the old Roman road ran. Here also is Helen’s (Elen) crystal clear well with its many tradition and folk lore; still quenching the thirst of those who travel through the village. Many a traveller has rested in enjoyment of its pure water. Cae Glas is famous for many reasons. Here the Sunday School was sheltered under the wing of William Dafydd until his dying days. It is said that William Dafydd was a bold and disrespectful towards religion in his youth and at the time of the religious revival he encouraged his pals to go to Talyrni at Namor to make fun of the people rejoicing, but they went home from there in a very different spirit. His work from there on was to serve the Lord and that he did as a leader. It was in a loft or a garret that the Sunday School was held, in not an extensive room but narrow, with stone steps outside to reach it, with just the door to let the light in. I believe that William Dafydd was the son of William Lewis of Hafoty.(The author is not thought to be correct here as his surname would have been Williams not Dafydd. In fact he was his son- in- law; having married Mary- WL’s daughter, born 1780) Here? The first Sunday School was started in ca 1816 ( if he is referring to Caeglas in 1816 it was before the religious revival- this is contrary to Hanes Ysgolion Sabbothol, written some 50 years earlier. I think the author is mixing David Williams and William Dafydd- who were brothers in law) The house is of an ancient design. There is a wide chimney (hearth) projecting out with the stone (it is a wooden beam!) rather low and I am sure many would have to duck. The school suffered a loss on the death of William Dafydd ( it was David Williams who had died at Ty Newydd Caeglas in 1821/2). Perhaps other had been living here after the above named. The first family I remember living here was Robert Ellis and Elin (Elinor ?) Ellis. She was the daughter of Caeglas (Daughter of Mary and William Dafydd - Baptised 11.2.1820 at Llanfrothen Church - see Ceiri Griffiths p 241). She spent all her life at Caeglas. She was the sister of the old interesting old man Dafydd William Garth llwynog ( father of Rev. D.D. Williams M.A. Liverpool. She was of an extremely quiet disposition. Her very nature was dressed in grace; yes even her walk. She was good natured and possessed of a wide general knowledge. She was a faithful star and supporter of the Sion Chapel at Croesor for many a year especially in the at meetings with her sweet words “ What did the Lord do to my soul “ Her consistency, integrity and hard working was to be admired. Her husband Robert Ellis hailed from Maentwrog. He was of a small build, helpful and kind. He was driven by his temperament and he did not control them. It was unusual to see a couple so different in temperament. She was quite and unperturbed Whilst he, Robert Ellis, was like a match, firing so quickly and then extinguishing, He was fiery for a while, loosing all control of himself until the old lady, with her easy and slow talk was like a medicine and soon he would be back to his normal and happy deposition. .He was a tidy farmer and a chapel goer without a break. He took part in the chapel and was a zealot in the Sunday school in Dafydd William’s, (of Croesor Uchaf –59yrs in !881 born Beddgelert) class. His fellow student at Sunday school were, William Davies, John Llwyd. Griffith Roberts, William Jones etc. They had many children, viz. William, Ellis, Margred, John, Dafydd, Jane, Edward, Ann, Moses, Robert, and Ellen. Time stops me from mentioning more about them I think it is only Ann and Moses (Moss Caeglas as he his known) that survive. I am not certain whether Ellen is dead or alive in America. Author -Croesorydd ie. Hugh G Roberts ( to be continued in the Columns of the Herald Gymraeg ) Notes & comments in italics The census of 1851-1881 gives the following details about the family living at Caeglas All recorded as born at Llanfrothen except Robert Ellis, the father, was recorded in 1851 as born at Trawsfynydd /Maentwrog Robert Ellis 33 marr. 63 born1818 Ellen Ellis 32 “ 61 “ 1820 Ellis “ 6 (36) 1845 ( ) not at Caeglas-may have moved/died Margaret “ 4 (34) 1847 “ Jane “ 2 (32) 1849 “ Mary Ellis 3 weeks (30) 1851 ” Rest of family born after 1851 John R Ellis - um 28 “ 1853 Anne Roberts - “ 23 “ 1858 Moses Roberts - “ 21 “ 1860 Robert Roberts - “ 18 “ 1863 Ellen Roberts - “ 15 “ 1866 Note the introduction of ‘R’ in John R Ellis it was unusual to have ‘R’ to signify the patronymic form Robert- from his father. Why did the rest of the children have a surname Robert s? Were they adopted or did she remarry? TY CROES CAEGLAS Jane Jones of Ty Croes Caeglas aged 29(39?) married to a William Jones with 8 children - could she be Robert & Ellen Ellis’s eldest daughter ? Not according to Richard Vaugh-Jones! The census of 1881 for Ty Croes CG is as follows:-see attachment |
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