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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Denbighshire => Topic started by: ejones4765 on Saturday 30 March 19 12:07 GMT (UK)
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Hello, my name is Dewi Wyn Jones, and I am trying to research the famous clockmaker family from Llanrwst - Griffith Owen - Famous clock/watchmaker 1818–1902.
Griffith Owen - Famous clock/watchmaker 1818–1902
BIRTH 13 MAY 1818 • Bodesi Farm, Bethesda, Caernarvonshire, Wales
DEATH 30 MAR 1902 • Llanwrst, Denbighshire, Wales
1st cousin 4x removed
Does anyone know of any of the said family please?
Dewi
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Hi,
North Wales Times 21 May 1898 has an article referring to a Griffith Owen, Llanrwst. It would appear that he was not in good health, in his 80th year and one of the oldest inhabitants and a most respected tradesman of the town. His business included watchmaker, clockmaker and jeweller. He was a faithful Deacon with the Calvinistic Methodists and a most ardent supporter of temperance.
JJ
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Thank you JJen. Is there any family ancestry available do you know please?
Dewi
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Extract from "Wales Clocks & Clockmakers" by William Linnard:
"OWEN, Griffith
Llanrwst. Denbigh Street. 1818-1902. Father of Hugh Owen of Bangor. Set up in business ikn 1842. Two watchcase papers endorsed 1868 and 1874 in Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans. Watch dated 1888 known. Over thirty longcase clocks recorded. (see Brown, Clockmakers of Llanrwst, pp 134-5)"
BTW There are other Owen Clockmakers mentioned in this book.
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Diolch / Thank you
Are there any info on his children at all please?
Dewi
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No information on his extended family BUT the entry for his son - in the same book I referred to - is as follows:
"OWEN, Hugh
Bangor. High street 1845-1933. Son of Griffith Owen, Llanrwst. Set up in business in Llanidloes about 1868, but moved to Bangor about 1874 (information from his grandson, B. Idloes Owen).
Watchcase paper endorsed 1874 in the Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans. Longcase clocks and gold watch hall-marked 1882 known."
Note who the information came from, and the family connection.
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I have a long case clock made by Watkin Owen of Llanrwrst, maybe a relation.
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Not sure Purlin. Thank you by the way.
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1851 Census living at Denbigh Street, Llanrwst.
Wife Grace born 1827 Denbighshire
Children Hugh 1845, Catherine 1847, Anne 1849 & Jane 1851 all born Llanrwst.
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1861 Census still living at Denbigh Street, Llanrwst with the addition of
Mary 1853, Edward G 1855, John 1857, Elizabeth 1859 & Maria 1861 all born Llanrwst
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1871 Census Greenwich House Denbigh Street, Llanrwst even more children
William 1863, Robert 1865, Jannet 1867 & Thomas 1869 all born Llanrwst.
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marriage by Licence 17 May 1844 parish church of Llansaintffraid for
Griffith Owen full bach Watchmaker Llanrwst, father Griffith, farmer &
Grace Roberts 18 spin Rhydeven, Llansaintffraid, father Hugh, farmer
witnesses Edward Owens & Elizabeth Edwards, all signed.
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Dewi are you looking for information on any particular child of Griffith & Grace?
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Diolch / Thank you Ellen Mai
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Diolch / Thank you Ellenmai & Osprey
I am looking for as much info as is possible. Hoping to connect in the end with Family members.
Dewi
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death of Grace reported in newspaper dated 16 Nov 1906
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3620414/3620428/102/
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marriage of his daughter Catherine to Robert Evans in 1873
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3287863/3287866/30/
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Diolch / Thank you Osprey
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MARRIAGES. March 19th, at Zion Chapel. Llanrwst. by the Rev. J. Evans, - Was Rev. J. Evans the uncle of Catherine as well please?
Dewi
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there's more!
marriage of daughter Maria to William John Roberts
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3173521/3173526/26/
daughter Ann died in 1858
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4255761/4255777/54/
and son Edward in 1873
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4491755/4491764/40/
It's the anniversary of Griffith's death today, Easter Day in 1902
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3160063/3160072/31/
The notice does say uncle of the bride, but her mother was a Roberts, so possibly Robert Evans married a sister of Grace.
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baptism 14 oct 1826 in Llansantffraid Glan Conwy for Grace Roberts daughter of Hugh, farmer, and Maria (formerly Edwards) of Rhydifan
Hugh Roberts of Llansantffraid married Maria Edwards of Eglwysfach in the bride's parish 16 Nov 1821 with consent of parents, witnesses Robert Roberts and Mary Lloyd.
1841 census Rhyd?fan, Trebwll, Llansantffraid HO107/1403/20 folio 19 pg 6
Hugh Roberts 45 farmer
Maria 35
Grace 14
Mary 10
Sarah 6
Elizabeth 4
Hugh 2
Charlotte 2 months
all born in county
1851 Rhyd Evan HO107/2519 folio 328 pg 14
Mariah Roberts mar 48 farmer b. Eglwysfach
Edward son 22 ag lab
Elizabeth dau 14
Hugh son 12
Margret dau 6
Catherine Maria Jones grandchild 3 b. Bangor
all others b. Llansantffraid
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Grace Roberts
1826–1906
BIRTH 2 OCT 1826 • Rhyd Efan,Llansanffraid, Glan Conway, Denbighshire
DEATH 8 NOV 1906 • LLanwrst, Conway Valley, Denbighshire
wife of 1st cousin 4x removed
She married Griffith Owen 1818–1902
BIRTH 13 MAY 1818 • Bodesi Farm, Bethesda, Caernarvonshire, Wales
DEATH 30 MAR 1902 • Llanrwst Denbighshire Wales
My 1st cousin 4x removed ?
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I have a long case clock made by Watkin Owen of Llanrwrst, maybe a relation.
Hi possibly a connection if as you say a Clockmaker:-
Baptism 7th July 1739 Llanrwst Father Griffith Mother Margaret
A marriage 8th December 1779 Llanrwyst to a Margaret Ellis
Keyboard86
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Diolch / Thank you Keyboard,
I have yet to make that connection / link.
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Re. Watkin Owen.
I acquired the long Case clock via a distant relation in Llanrwst. It belonged to Evan Owen b.1858 d.1917 Llanrwst. Occupation, Gardener, Seed Merchant living at 9 Bridge St. Llanwrst.
His wife was Jane Jones b. 1861 Llanwrst d. 1946
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Diolch / Thank you Purlin
Dewi
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Hi purlin, was the marriage of Evan Owen to Jane Jones Sept qtr 1898 Llanrwst 11b 493?
OK 1901 census Bridge Street Llanrwst
Evan Owen 48 occ Seedsman
Jane 40
Both born Llanrwst
RG13/5241/6/4
His baptism possibly 1st May 1852 Llanrwyst Father David ooc Woodman Mother Dorothy
Bridge Street was the address of Evan for many years, including with father David, and then his widowed mother Dorothy.
Jane is shown as Jennie a widowed Seed Dealer at 9, Bridge Street 1939 Lllanwrst
Keyboard86
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Diolch / Thank you Keyboard
Dewi
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Correct. I havent fully researched this family yet, from my notes Evan Owen had a sister Margaret, possibly born 1860 Llanwrst.
Just found this reference to Watkin Owen,
The Owen family of Llanrwst, are probably the most prolific and best known family of 18th century clockmakers in Wales. Watkin Owen (1755-1809) was aged just 21 when his father, the respected clockmaker John Owen,died.
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Hi purlin, that is correct, this is her in 1881 census Bridge Street, Llanrwst
Dorothy Owen 59 Widow occ Seed Dealer b Llanbedr
Evan 28 occ Gardener ( Domestic )
Margaret 21
Both born Llanrwst
RG11/5534/8/9
So working on the fact his father was John, baptism Watkin Owen 16th April 1755 Llanrwst Father John Mother Elizabeth, so therefore in my reply 22 ignore baptism, but marriage looks correct.
Griffith & family lived for many years in Denbigh Street, Llanrwst, Bridge Street is approx 4 minutes walk away.
Keyboard86
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Thank you keyboard, i have to say this has renewed my interest in this branch of the family.
My clock takes pride of place in the house but i have to say after how ever many years at Bridge St. which suffered badly from flooding, the lower part of the clock had to be extensively restored. It still tick-tocks steadily away though so i salute Watkins craftsmanship.
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:) Glad to hear you have by the sounds of it a superb working clock, Watkin Owen was buried 18th April 1809 Capel Garmon aged 54
Dorothy Owen was buried 26th March 1898 Llanrwst aged 76 address 9, Bridge Street.
David Owen occ Gardener abode Llanrwst was buried 7th September 1865 Llanwrst he was born c 1821 Capel Garmon.
Possibly the Daffyd Owen baptism 29th October 1820 Capel Garmon Father David Mother Margaret.
Keyboard86
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Thank you once again, very much obliged for your interest.
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Hi again, I am still trying to connect Watkin Owen to Griffith Owen, but feel certain as they were both Clockmakers, their must be one, so going back to Griffith and his baptism at Ebenezer Independent Bangor parents Griffith and Janet, he was born 13th May 1818 and baptised 26th May 1818.
He had a sister Catherine born 4th June 1821 and baptised 2nd July 1821 same venue/same parents.
They were both born Llanllechid.
Keyboard86
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Hello Keyboard,
Thank you for the info. I have Catherine, born 1826 died in 1906 though, maybe it is me that's wrong with her birthdate. Should I change it? Did she herself have family?
Dewi
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Hello Keyboard,
Thank you for the info. I have Catherine, born 1826 died in 1906 though, maybe it is me that's wrong with her birthdate. Should I change it? Did she herself have family?
Dewi
Hi your Catherine, who/when/where did she marry, if at all?
Keyboard86
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Thank you. I'm not certain if she married let's hope we can find out.
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Thank you. I'm not certain if she married let's hope we can find out.
?? So how do you know Catherine died in 1906 possibly?
Keyboard86
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Driving me up the wall these Owen/s!
To get this off my notes of the family for purlin:-
David Owens occ Gardener married Dorothy Williams 7th December 1850 Llanbedr-Y-Cennin
Fathers David Owens occ Farmer Robert Williams occ Blacksmith
Dorothy Williams born 14th November 1821 baptism 18th November 1821 Llanbedr-Y-Cennin
Father Robert occ Blacksmith Mother Laura
Daffyd/David in 1841 census:-
Margarer Owens 60
Robert 26
John 26
Evan 23
DEVIDE 20
William 18
Henry 15
Eleias 10
Residing Pentre Mawr, Llanrwst
Census ref HO107/1403/ 18/25 / 11
The sister of Evan Owen, a Margaret Owen died Dec qtr 1886 Llanrwst aged 27.
Keyboard86
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I haven't found any connection yet between Griffin Owens and John Owens, Watkin Owens father. I have found some snippets of info which i shall share.
John Owen b.1719 Llanwrst, married Elizabeth Jones of Eglwysbach, 1746. John Owens died 10 Feb. 1776 age 57 years. There was no will, son Watkin Owens. John Owens lived and worked at Tyn-y-Pwll Llanwrst it was a house and workshop. landlord was Peter Titley of Penloyn.
I found a Liverpool grocer named Robert James Owens from Llanwrst eldest son of Watkin Owens Llanwrst Clockmaker.
There were 8 Clock and or Watch makers with the name Owens in Llanwrst (sorry keyboards86, damn Owens)
They were, Elizabeth, Griffin, Humphrey, John, Robert, Watkin, William,Hugh.
Watkin Owens married a Margaret Ellis 8 Dec. 1779. there are a number of Margaret Ellis born Llanwrst so cannot pin her birth down to a particular year.
During this search i found that a Watkin Owens Long case clocks would cost at least a years salary, so not cheap.
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Thank you Purlin
Dewi
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Hello Keyboard,
Thank you for the info. I have Catherine, born 1826 died in 1906 though, maybe it is me that's wrong with her birthdate. Should I change it? Did she herself have family?
Dewi
Hi your Catherine, who/when/where did she marry, if at all?
Keyboard86
Still trying to locate Catherine Owen/s either baptsed 1821 or 1826, under what surname have you for her in the 1906 death and where?
Keyboard86
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Diolch/ Thank you Keyboard. This is the only info in my tree Keyboard
Catherine Owens
B: 1826 in Penrallt, Llanrhychwyn
D: 1906 in Gwynedd, Wales
Dewi
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Diolch/ Thank you Keyboard. This is the only info in my tree Keyboard
Catherine Owens
B: 1826 in Penrallt, Llanrhychwyn
D: 1906 in Gwynedd, Wales
Dewi
OK can you give me the volume & page number of this death on Freebmd?
Keyboard86
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Catherine Owens
B:
1826 in Penrallt, Llanrychwyn
D:
1906 in Gwynedd, Wales
Jun 27 255-261 Conway (to 1937) 11,3 0 78
Try this
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Hi Keyboard86, An old friend has asked me to find some history about a longcase clock he owns. He believes it may be signed --- Tom Owen, Llannfordam possibly about 1795. There seems to be a number of villages in Wales & Shropshire with names beginning Llan...... Was there a Tom (Thomas) in the well-known Owen family about that era?
Kind regar4ds
clancam37
:) Glad to hear you have by the sounds of it a superb working clock, Watkin Owen was buried 18th April 1809 Capel Garmon aged 54
Dorothy Owen was buried 26th March 1898 Llanrwst aged 76 address 9, Bridge Street.
David Owen occ Gardener abode Llanrwst was buried 7th September 1865 Llanwrst he was born c 1821 Capel Garmon.
Possibly the Daffyd Owen baptism 29th October 1820 Capel Garmon Father David Mother Margaret.
Keyboard86