Brecon local knowledge: Watton Mount

[Koromo]

Hi

I am researching a family of Powells to whom I have a distant connection (still to be verified!) who were attorneys and ironmasters living in Brecon. From 1841 to 1861 members of this family are living at 'Watton Mount' which I think is where the Bulwark turns into the Watton and Lion Street joins in - well, that's what I've decided from looking at a variety of maps.

Googling for Watton Mount brings up various governmental/council agencies at that address, but I have been totally unsuccessful at finding a photo of the building ... or is it an area? Can anyone tell me if Watton Mount is at least 150 years old, or is it a new building? Does it actually exist? 

Many thanks
Koromo

[cochiaid]

Hi,
Watton Mount is the building which is covered with Virginia Creeper opposite the Brecon County Museum as the Bulwark and Lion Street join Free Street.
It has been the home of various local authority departments for many decades.
It was origionally a gentry house and had a wall around it where the pavement is now. To the right of the building you will see that the garaging for coaches etc is still there. Brecon County Museum will have pictures of it. I am not sure of the age of Watton Mount, but it is certainly 19 century anyway.

Cochiaid

[Koromo]

Hello Cochiaid

Welcome to RootsChat!

Thank you very much for your description of Watton Mount. Would the glimpse of a portico on the far right of this photo have anything to do with it, or would it be set further back from the Bulwark?

Gathering the Jewels

Somehow I had gained the impression that the original building had been demolished, so I'm delighted to hear that it still stands. Other family in my direct line also lived on the Bulwark in the mid-1800s, I think just behind St Mary's. It's a pity the NLW have not put more of their photos online, especially Brecon ones!

Best wishes
Koromo

[cochiaid]

Hi Koromo,

That's the building, and the gate at the lowere part of the picture would be leading to the coach garaging.

If you are in Brecon, the Museum has a good supply of old photos of Brecon. Worth a visit! The Museum, of course, is in the nOls Shire hall on the left of your photo.

Regards,

Cochiaid

[cochiaid]

Sorry for the spelling errors!!

I meant to write "..is in the Old Shire Hall"!!

[cochiaid]

Hi Koromo,

I meant to ask you in which buildings near St Mary's, your ancestors lived? Any house names? I might be able to identify them for you. I live in brecon

Cochiaid

[Koromo]

 I live in brecon

You shouldn't have told me that - my Brecon ancestors have built themselves a good-sized brick wall!!

Miles Jones (plus wife and family) are on the 1841 census with an address of 'Bulwark', and of course, not a house number in sight! (HO107/1371/5/6/4) All their children were baptised at St Mary's between 1818-1828, so although the parents were not born in the county, they must have lived (near) there for some time.

By 1851, the remnants of the family appear to have moved. His widow Margaret and son are living in Church St - the next house is also Church Steet, but next to that is 'The College, Bulwark', a theological college from the look of it. (HO107/2489/413/10) Are there still old buildings behind the church?

At least now I can see the style of building the Watton Mount is/was. If my tenuous link to the Powells who lived there doesn't work out, I'll know that my Jones family would have known it well. Popping across the road to visit the museum would be wonderful, but I don't live in the UK.   One day ....       

Best wishes
Koromo

[cochiaid]

HI Koromo,

I'm not sure if this is a personal message between you and me only. If that is possible, I would like to swop personal e-mail addresses with you, so that I can send you any attachments. I failed to use the attachment facility with this web site, yesterday!! I have a vast Brecon Local History library and can do what research I can for you.

So if you can send me a personal message as a reply, we can then proceed with ordinary e-mails.

Kind regards,
Cochiaid

[Koromo]