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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Radnorshire => Topic started by: Sheila Whittingham on Wednesday 02 January 19 10:24 GMT (UK)
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I have recently bought a writing slope. Late regency or Victorian badly needing restoration but an intact brass plaque on the lid states. Sercharwydd Wasleyaid, Machynleth ir parch. J. Rees.
As I am at present at a lull in my own tree searching I thought I would investigate.Can anyone help me with any details of this preacher please..BMD, when he served in the chapel,location burial etc.I dont live all that far from the town and would like to visit again if I can find some information.
Thankyou.
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There's mention in a newspaper article of a Parch J Rees, Machynlleth of the Wesleyans dated 1854
Are you able to post an image of the plaque? The welsh inscription as you've written it isn't quite right
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Thankyou Mabel.
Plaque is as written except two Ls in Machynlleth which is my fault sorry. and on closer look says Wesleyaid.. No idea why writing slope was presented as no date but must have been quite expensive at the time, but no idea whether it was for retirement, taking up the post or whatever. I only bought it because of the plaque as nice to put a story with the slope which my husband has somewhat restored.It was in very bad condition and I bought from a shop in Leominster.1854 is bang in the middle of when the slope was probably made.
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The 1851 census (HO 107/2461/372/54) has Jane Rees,Wesleyan Minister's(?) wife and family in Cowbridge,but no husband present.
From this clue the 1861 census has John Rees(Wesleyan Superintendent,mistranscribed!) and Jane in Cradock Street,Swansea.
The GRO gives mmn Rees to the children and indeed there looks like an 1842 marriage of John Rees to Jane Rees in St.Peter,Machynlleth.
Regards
Roger
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The census data consistently gives him as born 1810 in Llangurig,Montgomeryshire,and given that he has a daughter named Jemima it's a fair bet that the 1810 record with parents are Edward and Jemimah is appropriate.
His last census appearance is 1891 RG12/4414/27/18 Fronolen House,Llanwonno,Pontypridd and he dies in 1898
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3741084/3741088/37/
Regards
Roger
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This looks like an announcement of the marriage
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3330405/3330408/19/
My only concern is that all of this doesn't quite seem to make him Wesleyan Minister,Machynlleth 1854!
Regards
Roger
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Many thanks Folks..gives me a lot to work on.I will go up to Mach. in the better weather and see if the Chapel is/was still there.I have printed out the info. and will put it in the secret drawer in the slope.As my American friend says." I think the dead like to be remembered and visited"
Hopefully I can find a photo of him too.
Sheila .
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A little more info
http://pstatic.powys.gov.uk/fileadmin/Docs/Archives/M_DX_62_bi.pdf
Roger
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Report of his death
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3425830/3425836/123/john%20powell
and funeral
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3813641/3813647/38/rev%20john%20lewis%20dolbenmaen
Roger
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Wow ! Thankyou Roger.I think that tells me all I want to know. Ive just looked online for the Chapel and there are 2 Chapels..The English Wesleyan and the Tabernacale. Will investigate further and plan a visit. Next thing is to maybe find living family.
Thankyou everyone for your efforts..
Sheila.
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I wondered if the presentation to the "Parch J Rees" might have been reported in the "Eurgrawn Wesleyaidd/Wesleyan Magazine", the Welsh language, monthly publication. Drawn a blank as yet but did spot
1854, Volume 46, issue No. 9 (September)
Part of the Establishments of the Wesleyan Ministers for 1854-55
Machynlleth John Rees
Ministers on the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Circuits to exchange on two Sundays in every quarter
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Thankyou for the info.Sounds promising.
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A year later, the September 1855 issue of "Eurgrawn Wesleyaidd" listing the Establishments has -
Machynleth John Lloyd
Llandeilo John Rees.
Just to check, is it "serchawgrwydd" rather than "sercharwydd" on the plaque?
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Definately Sercharwydd.
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Imagine my delight to find this series of posts re Rev John Rees who I have been researching as part of my family tree!
Rev John Rees was the younger brother of my 3 x gr grandfather, Edward Rees who was the village schoolmaster and parish clerk in Llangurig, Montgomeryshire for over 30 years. He is mentioned in the Blue Books too and the History of Llangurig and newspaper obituary. They sound like quite a saintly pair of brothers...
I am not sure what they would have thought of my 2 x gr grandfather, also called Edward Rees, who was not only the landlord of a couple of pubs in raucously heavy-drinking Lampeter, (including the classy named Gin Palace,) but was in trouble for breaking licencing laws and went bankrupt!
Anyway - well done you Uncle John! You were clearly highly regarded!!
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Hi fisherj
Great to hear from you fascinating info.,and I did find out a lot in local newspapers.We did restore the writing slope and it was obviously a gift either of his taking up or leaving his position .If you would like a photo of the box send me a private message and I'll send you photos.If you have any other info. you might need I have lots of newspaper articles,even his funeral
Regards Sheila
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Fisherj,
Mentioned in the Blue Books - what a pedigree.
Congrats.
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Yes - i am so proud of him, poor dab. . .