Abel Jones, Penmachno

[Glynm]

I understand from newspaper reports that my GG Grandfather Abel Jones (1827-1897) a quarryman in Cwm Penmachno was also a minor poet. His poetic name was "Abel Colwyn" presumably because he originated from Llanddulas. Would anyone know of any sources where his poetry might be found?

[KGarrad]

Quoting from a BBC Wales blog (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/1aec245b-1d1c-3db6-9792-46ab48c7f73c):

Abel Jones, 1829 to 1901, was known as Y Bardd Crwst which means, simply, "the crust poet." He was a ballad writer and singer of note and the name reflected the way in which he chose to earn his living.


The "Dictionary of Welsh Biography", only mentions this Abel Jones?

[Glynm]

Unfortunately this Abel Jones isn't mine, surprisingly since one would not expect many people of that name. Many thanks, however, for your help.

[EmyrBorth]

Hi
 As you say, they are 2 different Abel Jones' . Can't find anything about your Abel Jones on Welsh  Newspapers Online, or  Dictionary of Welsh Biography. 1891 Census gives his occupation as 'Saw Sharpener? in Slate Quarry'; Free BMD records death in 2nd Quarter of 1897. Bardd Crwst died at Llanrwst Workhouse in 1901.
Know someone who has written a lot about Penmachno; might see him tomorrow; if not will contact him over the weekend.

......................................................
 "BARDD CRWST" DEAD. Mr Abel Jones (Bardd Crwst), who was well-known throughout the Principality as a ballad singer, died in the Workhouse a few days ago. At their meeting on Tuesday, the Llanrwst Board of Guardians passed a. vote of thanks to his brother, Mr Hugh Jones. Tyddyn-terrace, for bearing all the funeral expenses.
Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald  05/07/1901.

Emyr

[Glynm]

Thank Emyr I will be interested if your friend does have any knowledge. I now believe that he was more locally known since he appears competing mainly at the local Wesleyan chapel in Penmachno. I have since found a few of his verses in Y Gwyliedydd under the name of Abel Colwyn or Abel Colwyn Jones. There was an article, which I have since misplaced, where the local Conservative Party had laid on a dinner for I think Lord Penrhyn, at which Abel was providing the entertainment between speeches. In it he is referred to as Mr Abel Jones poetic name Abel Colwyn.

[EmyrBorth]

Hi
I must have mistyped my query on WelsNewspapersOnline that I didn't find any reference to Abel Colwyn ! Now found references in Y Gwyliedydd, Y Drych, and Baner ac Amserau Cymru. There's a letter in Y Drych 23/07/1914 written by E O Roberts of Jackson, Ohio, asking people to send copies of the poetry of poets from Penmachno area, either to him, or to O T Davies (Owain Machno), as the latter intends publishing a book of their work, 'Beirdd Machno' . Can't find any info as to whether anything became of this. According to Y Drych 25/06/1914 there's an article in 'CYMRU' re poets of Machno area. There's a serialised article 1914/1915 in Y Drych, by E O Roberts, on 'Some of the Characters of Penmachno'. which includes  a section about Abel Colwyn.
According to my Penmachno contact, there's very little info  about Abel, except for official records, Censuses etc. There is a copy of the winning essay in a local Eisteddfod, by 'Cynniweirydd' (identity not known). According to this, Abel set out to open a quarry on land near his home, but it was a failure and no slates were produced. He worked in the local quarries all his life. He was married to a daughter of Barbara Roberts who was a prominent Baptist in the area.
Emyr
 

[Glynm]

Hello Emyr
I am extremely grateful for the information you have discovered which provide me with a number of leads. I have already found the article on Able in Y Drych which gives a good description of his work in the local chapel. One could almost visualise him providing a "fire and damnation" sermon. The son mentioned Richard Jones was my G Grandfather and a prominent member of the Blaenau Ffestiniog community.
I am particularly intrigued by the mention that Abel tried to start a slate quarry of his own. Is the poem by 'Cynniweirydd' on line?
Many thanks again.
Glyn

[EmyrBorth]

Hi
The work by 'Cynniweirydd' is not a poem, but an essay, 'Chwareli Machno' (Machno Quarries). My contact has a copy, but knows of no other copy.
He also has a copy of  a book of poems published by Owain Machno in 1923, called 'Telyn Machno'. He doesn't mention whether or not poems by Abel are included. He also informs me that a book was published privately about 20 years ago about Penmachno poets, but Abel Colwyn isn't included
Emyr
 

[Glynm]

Thank you Emyr. I misread your earlier reply where you stated it was an essay. I found reference to "Hanes Chwareli Machno" in an online document where it states the essay was found in a Llandudno Junction Chapel safe in 1989 so I guess your contact does have the only copy.

Glyn