The Thomas Family of Penblewyn

 The Thomas Family

The Thomas's came from the parish of Llanddewi Velfrey, a small village with a large parish, near Narberth in Pembrokeshire. It is just off the A40 road and has a church (St David's) and two ancient Iron Age earthworks called Caerau Gaer and Landdewi Gaer.

Llanddewi Velfrey and the various farms that the Thomas and Evans families lived in.

Penblewyn Farm

John and Rachel Thomas farmed at Penblewyn where they had 13 children including Dinah Thomas. Dinah moved to Gwardolau House outside Cwmdauddwr in Radnorshire, working as a cook. There she married Edward Price.

Rachel Thomas was the daughter of Enoch Evans of Llanddewi Velfrey.

1817 – Enoch Evans married Dinah Evans at Llanddewi Velfrey, Pembrokeshire. 

1817 – John Thomas was born to Rees and Mary Thomas

1841 – Enoch and Dinah Evans were living at Fron farm with 4 daughters including Rachel.

1849 – Rachel married John Thomas from Pencwmmau, at Llandewy Velfrey church.

1851 – Enoch and Dinah Evans were still living at Fron, with their daughter Rachel and her husband John Thomas and 3 children. Also another daughter.

1861 – John and Rachel had moved to Penblewyn farm and had 8 children including Dinah.

Penblewyn farm had always been next to a road junction but now it is next to a large roundabout on the A40.

Penblewyn is about 2 miles from Narberth

1871 – John and Rachel were still at Penblewyn farming 35 acres. They had another 4 children. Dinah was 18.

1881 –  John was now farming 40 acres of land. 5 of the children were still at home.

1881 – Dinah had now moved to Gwardolau House outside Cwmdauddwr in Radnorshire, working as a cook.  (see The Price Family of Cwmdeuddwr)

1881 –  John had died.

1891 - Rachel was now a widow but still farming Penblewyn with 1 son and 3 daughters.

The last column on the census refers to which language the Thomas's spoke. They all spoke both Welsh and English.

In 1890 Rachel won awards for her poultry and dairy produce.

.Every year Rachel would win awards for her sheep and lambs. 

1893

1894

1896

1898

1899

Rachel with her son John

As all her children married Rachel had furniture made for them from local oak. Dinah had a set that passed down to Tutsy and then to Beatie's children. Dorothy Moore had a table and 1 chair which the family still has.

1901 - Rachel was still farming at Penblewyn with her son John, daughters Esther and Sarah and a granddaughter Mary.

1911 - Rachel was described as the farmer at 89 although her son John signed the census. Ester and Sarah were still living and working on the farm.

Rachel is listed as only speaking Welsh.

1912 - Rachel died.

John carried on farming at Penblewin. Dorothy Moore remembers him sending a letter that ended with the words "I am John Thomas".