BRIEF HISTORY OF FELENRHYD FAWR FAMILY- See diagram at the bottom of the page.

In 1995 we wrote the history of the Felenrhyd family as we knew it. Since then much detailed research work has been done, on both the descendants and the ancestors of Sarah Jones and Griffith Davies (1) (our great grandparents). The history is involved but we will try and show some of it here and in the attached three documents.

Griffith Davies(1) was born in 1816 at Ty Newydd Cat Glas, Llanfrothen to David Williams and Margaret Richards. David Williams is named in the "History of the Sunday Schools of the Ffestiniog area 1800-1900", his father being William Lewis, a pioneer of the local movement with a class in his home, Hafotty. W Lewis in 1773, married Margaret Lloyd - possibly the daughter of Griffith Lloyd and Lowri Morris m 1749. (The names Griffith, Lowri and Morris recur during successive generations!) William Lewis can be identified as the son of Lewis Jones (a.k.a. Lewis Mordecai) and Margaret Edwards and the grandson of John Mordecai. LJ was both a weaver and farmer - small farmers often supplemented their income by practicing a craft. There were in fact 2 brothers to WL living as weavers in Llanfrothen c1770/80 viz John Lewis at Cae Glas and Edward Lewis at Beudy'r Garreg. When Lewis John Mordecai died he was the farmer of Tyddyn Gwyn. All we know of John Mordecai is that he was buried in 1734.        '

The Sunday School volume names David Williams's wife Margaret Richards, who is also mentioned as part of a Temperance movement in the "History of the Methodists in Tanygrisiau" which identifies her as the mother of GD(1). She came from Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert - the daughter of Richard Jones and Catherine Pierce of Ffridd Uchaf. RJ was perhaps the son of John Prichard d1745. CP came from a well-documented fanning family - e.g. her father Pierce Morgan (wife Margaret) left a will dated 1745. He was the son of Morgan Hughes/Catherine Pierce and grandson of Hugh Morgan Betws Garmon d I703. Descendants of the family still lives at Ffridd Uchaf today.

Sarah Jones, wife of GD(1) was born in 1822 the daughter of Morris Jones and Sarah Humphreys of Bryn Cyfergid. Of Sarah Humphreys we know little, only that a "History of Ffestiniog Parish claims her to have been an expert knitter of stockings and that her parents were Humphrey Ellis and Gwen Jones (m 1772); Morris Jones was the son of Arthur

Jones and Mary Joseph. Arthur Jones died in 1783 and administration was f ranted to Mary Joseph and Morris Jones - a priced list of his property having been prepared by Thomas Humphrey and Ephraim Joseph. Arthur Jones at the time of his marriage in 1768 gave his parish as Llanystumdwy and his baptism was found recorded there in 1745 - son of Morris Jones and Ellen Roberts. Note that this branch of the family seems to have adopted the English surname fashion quite early. Morris Jones however was born in 1715 not to a Jones family but to John Maurice and Elin.

During our expedition to Croesor on the 13th of August we will be going back in time about 200 years and concentrating mainly on Griffith Davies(1).Firstly, we will visit the ruins of Ty Newydd Caeglas where he was born. Secondly, visit Hafoty where his grandfather. William Lewis, started a Sunday school c.1795 and where, next door, the renowned J.R. Jones of Ramoth lived; before he moved to Garreg Fawr c 1804. Thirdly, for those who want to walk, we will pass Garreg Fawr and see J.R. Jones's old home and the plaque commemorating him. William. Davies (GD's P* eldest brother) was born at Garreg Fawr in 1811.

We warned you it was involved!

To get some broad picture of the family and their times, study the three attached charts:­ egg chart", and see who your ancestors are and where YOU fit in .

•           "time chart" of, the Felenrhyd ancestors,

•           "400 yr. chart of Croesor" giving a background of events &, noted people of Croesor

On the evening of the 13th you will also be able to look at/listen to:

•           Vol. 17A details of Bryncyfergid Tyddyn Gwyn Mawr& Felenrhyd families

•           Vol. 17B details of Rhyd Ddu, Hafoty,& Bryn Goleu

•           Vol. 17C Tynllwyn/Penrhyndeudraeth family& descendants

•           Vol. 17D gives some background to Croesor history

•           Vol.17E the "essays", a series of articles on parts of the history. ref FelRhxxx­

•           Vol. 17F Birth, Marriage & Death certificates. Griffith Davies Will dated October 1891 Marriage certificate of Sarah Jones & Griffith Williams (sic) Davies in 1841 •           Vol. 17G Bryn Goleu History by Sheelagh

•           Vol. 18   Brynllech/Bryncyfergid family by Rbt. Griffith Llan Ffestiniog

•           A typical computer Family Tree of the family- on the wall

•           Tape of Modryb Kate