The Jarman's of Rhayader

The Jarman family were prominent business people from Rhayader. One of the daughters married Charles Edwards and moved to Herefordshire.

1815 – Thomas Jarman, a watchmaker from Rhayader and Margaretta his wife had a son John baptised.1841 – Thomas Jarman was now an Auctioneer in Rhayader with 4 children including John, 25, who was an Attorney’s clerk.

1841 –John Jarman married Elizabeth Jones from Builth Wells.
1841 – In the census for Builth, Elizabeth Jarman was living with her family, the Jones's. This was because she had just had a baby girl, Margaretta, who was just 1 week old. She was listed as a Bonnet Maker.

Her father, John Jones, was a Smith living with his wife Elizabeth and 6 children. One son was also a Smith and one daughter was a Dress Maker. 

1848 – In June John and Elizabeth’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth, died.

1850 – John was the Registrar of the Rhayader Union and also Clerk to the Highway Board.


1851 – John and Elizabeth were living in West Street, Rhayader with 5 children.

1852 – Their daughter Margaretta died.

1858 – John was now agent for the Liverpool & London Insurance.

1861 – John and Elizabeth were now living on North Street, Rhayader with 6 children including Anne Eliza who is only 5 months old.

1867 – John was also in charge of Rhayader Cattle Markets.

1871 – John and Elizabeth were still living on North Street with 5 children including Anne Eliza who is 10. John was the Superintendent Registrar and the Clerk to the Guardians of Rhayader Union. Elizabeth was a Straw Hat Maker. 

1879 – John Jarman died.

1881 – Elizabeth was head of the family but George, her eldest son was an accountant and had taken on most of his father’s role with the Rhayader Union. Anne was still at home. The census did not give Anne's occupation but Dorothy Moore had been told that she was a School Teacher like her sister Emily.

1889 – Annie Eliza Jarman married Charles Edwards from Cwmdeuddwr.


1891 – Anne was still living in North Street with her mother and family but Charles Edwards was also living there with Anne's daughter, Emily who was 1 year old.


For more about Charles and Anne (see Charles Edwards and Family).


A map showing John Jarman's, and later George Morgan Jarman's house in North Street
A very early photograph. John and Elizabeth are standing in the doorway of their house, to the right of the picture.
Another view of the same scene, from further down the street. John and Elizabeth are still standing outside their house. The "river" Bwgy runs in front of the house.  
In this scene the Jarman house is on the left. The Bwgy is shown on in front of it, with the slabs of stone that were used as bridges to cross it.

More information about the Bwgy.
The Jarman house today.
The house is still there but is now an Estate Agents and a Chiropractor.

The Jarman Children

John and Elizabeth had 10 children, however Margaretta died in 1852, aged 11. The first Elizabeth Mary died in 1848, aged 5. William died in 1880 aged 25.

George Morgan Jarman

1845 George was born.

Birth Record


George Jarman followed on with his father's work as Clerk to the Board of Guardians. He was also the Superintendent Registrar for Rhayader.

1898 - George Jarman had a new pulpit built for Rhayader church in memory of his parents and his brothers William and Robert. It can still be seen in the church.

1916 – George Morgan Jarman died.


John Jones Jarman

1847 - John was born. 
Birth Record
1868 –  emigrated to Australia. Later he came home to get married to a girl from Rhayader. However he changed his mind and married another girl called Ann Goodwin. They went back to live near Adelaide in Australia. 

1920 - John Jones died. His obituary was found by Gareth Thomas while he living in was in Australia.




William Jarman
1855 - William was born.
Birth Record
1880 - William died at the age of 25.


Robert Ingram Jarman
1858 - Robert was born. 
Birth Record

Robert was a Solicitors General Clerk but he contracted TB. He went out to Australia to his brother John to convalesce.  He made a good recovery but on way home had relapse and died on ship. He was buried at sea.

A prominent, red granite monument to the Jarman's stands just off the main path in Rhayader churchyard, inscribed to George and Elizabeth Jarman with another inscription to George Morgan Jarman on the reverse side. 

In Loving Memory of
John Jarman
of Rhayader
Clerk to Board of Guardians
Died February 25th 1879
Aged 66 years
Also of Elizabeth
His beloved wife
Died April 14th 1893
Aged 75 years
Until the day break and the shadows flee away

 

Also to
George Morgan Jarman
Clerk to Board of Guardians
For 35 years
Eldest Son of
John and Elizabeth Jarman
Died Dec 9th 1916
Aged 71 years