Page 1 of 71 HISTORY The New House Country Hotel, Thornhill, Cardiff a 4 star hotel belonging to the Town & Country Collective and his team since 1994. It started life as a manor house, built in the 1730`s by Thomas Lewis. Opened as The New House Country Hotel, on the 27 th November 1989, by the right Hon Peter Walker MP Secretary of state for Wales. We look at both the Lewis family and the progress of the New House since the 1730`s. Compiled by: Brian Jenkins, Nights of the New House Hotel – 2013/14 Around 1735 - From the ashes of Dan-y-Ddraenen farmhouse came The New House. New House is a grade 2 listed building and was built around 1735 by Thomas Lewis of nearby Llanishen Cardiff. The Lewis’ were wealthy landowners and trace back to Tudor times. They owned many houses and the family spread out over the region. At one time they owned St. Fagans Castle, they had a large house at Caerphilly ( Caerffili) – Y Fan, Cardiff – Lewis House in St. Mary Street, Heath – a large house on the heath (near the hospital). New House may have been a hunting lodge originally, with its direct entrance hallway with typical Georgian Marble Floor. The
Transcript
Page 1 of 71
HISTORY
The New House Country Hotel, Thornhill, Cardiff a 4 star hotel belonging to the Town &
Country Collective and his team since 1994.
It started life as a manor house, built in the 1730`s by Thomas Lewis.
Opened as The New House Country Hotel, on the 27th November 1989, by the right
Hon Peter Walker MP Secretary of state for Wales.
We look at both the Lewis family and the progress of the New House since the 1730`s.
Compiled by: Brian Jenkins, Nights of the New House Hotel – 2013/14
Around 1735 - From the ashes of Dan-y-Ddraenen farmhouse came The New House.
New House is a grade 2 listed building and was built around 1735 by Thomas Lewis of nearby
Llanishen Cardiff. The Lewis’ were wealthy landowners and trace back to Tudor times. They
owned many houses and the family spread out over the region. At one time they owned St.
Fagans Castle, they had a large house at Caerphilly ( Caerffili) – Y Fan, Cardiff – Lewis House in St.
Mary Street, Heath – a large house on the heath (near the hospital). New House may have been a
hunting lodge originally, with its direct entrance hallway with typical Georgian Marble Floor. The
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Floor is very similar to that at Petworth House. It is thought that the “Blue Lounge” & todays
“Restaurant” were added shortly after the building of the original manor house.
The old stables, a building about half the size of the long barn, now demolished, served both the
old and new house. This was positioned midway between the two buildings and had its axis
running approximately East/West. Until the start of the 20th Century both the old stable and the
long barn had a stone shingle roof set on “A” frames. One building looked much like the other
though in later years the stables had a corrugated steel roof with accommodation at the East End.
New House passed, through the marriage of Charlotte Wyndham Lewis with Colonel William
Murray Threipland, to the Murray Threiplands late in the 19th Century.
A Welsh Prince
The Lewis family can trace their roots back to Gwaethfoed, Prince of Ceredigion and later
Kingdom of Ceredigion.
Arms of Prince Gwaethfoed,
Sable, Lion rampant regardant Or.
PEDIGREE Gwaethfoed Fawr Lord of Ystrad Towy, and Gwynve, son of Clodien, Prince of Powys and Morvydd, daughter of Owain, Lord of Cardigan which lordship Gwaethfoed inherited. He married another Morvydd, daughter of Ynir, Lord of Gwent. Cydrych ap Gwaethfoed Lord of Ystrad Towy and Gwynvae, second son of Gwaethfoed, married Nest, daughter of Tangno ap Cadvan. They had three children: Griffith, Lord of Gwynvae, Cadifor and Clydwen. Cadivor ap Cydrych Second son, Lord of Iscaiach, married Mevanwy, daughter of Gwrgan ap Ithel ddu ap Owain ap Morgan hen, Lord of Morganwg, and Angharad, daughter of Ednowain, Lord of Tegengel. Child: Meuric. Meuric ap Cadivor Married Gwladys, daughter of Ythel and Jane, daughter of Sir John Russell of Kentchurch. Child:
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Ivor Ivor ap Meuric Child: Ivor Bach
Ivor Bach ap Ivor *
Married Nest, daughter of Madoc ap Caradoc ap Einon ap Collwyn, Lord of Senghenydd. Children:
Griffith, Llewelyn Hagar, Philip ap Ivor and Wenllian.
Griffith ap Ivor Bach
Of Senghenydd, married Mabel, possibly daughter of William Earl of Gloucester. Child: Rhys.
Rhys ap Griffith
Married Ellen or Elleanor, daughter of Rhys ap Griffith ap Rhys ap Twdwr, Prince of South Wales.
Child: Griffith
Griffith ap Rhys
Of Senghenydd. Children: Howel Velyn, , Rhys, Jevan, David, Wenllian, Maud, and three other
unkown daughters.
Howel Velyn ap Griffith
Married Sarah, daugher of Sir Mayo le Sore. Children: Madoc, Llewelyn, Roger, Griffith, Thomas,
Unkown daugher, and Nest, another daughter.
Madoc ap Howel Velyn
Of Merhyr Tydvil, married Everydd, daughter of Lewis Rhys ap Rosser ap Ralph ap Madoc (Cardoc)
ap Bleddyn. Children: Llewelyn, Gwilim, Evan Hir, Thomas Hir, Griffith, Madoc vychan, Roger,
Thomas dhu. Gwilim sais, Rhys, Evan Voya, Everydd. Unkown daughter, Margaret, and Howell.
Llewelyn ap Madoc
Of Merhyr, married Joan, second daughter of Rhys Llewelyn of Glyn Nedd, ap Rhys ap Gronow ap
Cardoc ap Richard, Lord of Miscin, ap Collwyn. Children: Llewelyn vychan, Evan, Unknown
daughter, Jenet, and Gwladys.
LlewelynYchan ap Llewelyn
Of Merthyr, married Gwervil, daughter of Evan ap Einon of Priscedwyn. Children: Rhys Vwya and
Joan.
Rees Vwya ap LlewelynYchan
Of Merthyr Tydvil, married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Basset of St. Hilary. Children: Llewelyn.
Philp and Howell.
Llewelyn Anwyl ap Rees Vwya
Of Pont Rhun in Merthyr, married Joan or Jenet, daughter of Griffith ap Howell gam, Lord of
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Llanvyrnach, ap Jevan ap Cadwgan. Children: Richard, Jevan, Howell, David, Griffith, Thomas,
Margaret, Wenllian and another daughter Margaret (base)
Richard Gwyn ap Llwewlyn Anwyl
Richard married his cousin, Crisly, daughter of Jevan ap Traherne ap Meyric of Merthyr ap Gwilim
Sais. Crisly had by Sir Roger Vaughan of Tretower, Lewis Vaughan of Merthyr. Crisly had a second
husband, Lewis ap Jenkin of Brecknoc. Richard and Crisly had: Lewis, Thomas and Malt.
Lewis ap Richard Gwyn
Of Pont Rhun in Merthyr. By his first wife, children were: Edward and Elizabeth. By his other wife,
he had Richard ap Lewis, Isabel, Unknown daughter, Maud, Joan, Ann, Wenllian.
Elizabeth,Cahterine, Alice, Margaret Ddu, Margaret. By another mother, he had Jenet.
Edward Lewis
Of Van, in Bedwas, the first of that place and surname. He married Ann, daughter of Sir William
Morgan of Pencoyd and Florence Bridges of Cuberley. Their children were: Thomas, William,
Edward, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jane, Cecil and Lewis.
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Ivor Bach ap Ivor * - Ifor Bach's Treasure
Ifor Bach or Ifor the Small, was Lord of Senghenydd. Though slight in stature he had a heart of oak
and his daring was the debate of the land. Ifor’s warpaths against the wicked Normans were fabled
in his own time and the poor Cymru gave their last pennies to sponsor their hero’s sallies.
Ifor built a fortress deep in the forest above Tongwynlais, the hamlet of the Holy Mound. Below
this stronghold an underground passage led to a vault which cwtched Ifor’s coffers; and to guard
his treasure, he chained three enormous eagles to the chests. So dark was their plumage that they
were one with the sunless and starless crypt and their sleepless eyes flickered like torches in the
gloom.
Ifor Bach’s treasure has remained in its hiding place for eight centuries, mostly forgotten but
sometimes sought.
About ten score yesteryears ago, a band of brigands decided to swipe Ifor’s loot for themselves.
Armed to the teeth with pistols they entered the Prince’s cubby and groped forward, blind as
beetles, until three pairs of embers smouldered in the dark.
All of a doodah, the bounty-hunters fired at the birds but the bullets rattled harmlessly against
their feathered breastplates. The eagles attacked the trespassers with furious beak and claw and
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deserted by their pluck, the intruders scuttled to safety. The birds flapped their huge wings in
triumph, hooting their hurrahs. No-one has since dared to plunder Ifor’s purse and the treasure
will surely remain until the Lord of Senghenydd returns to lead his Welsh braves to battle again.
It is known that both the Lewis & Pritchard families are descended from Ifor Bach.
Y Pant Cad Ifor, Merthyr Tydfil - Named after Ifor Bach
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Lewis of Van Mansion & Pritchards of Llancaiach Fawr - families at war
Built in 1530 for Dafydd ap Richard, Llancaiach Fawr was designed to be easily defended during the turbulent reigns of Tudor kings and queens and is one of the finest examples of a semi-fortified manor in Wales today.
The original defensive design incorporated a single entrance, four-foot thick walls enclosing spiral stone staircases for access between floors and stout wooden doors. When these were securely closed they split the Manor in two and ensured that the inner east wing provided a safe and secure place of refuge during troubled times.
By the beginning of the Stuart dynasty the Prichard family had prospered and the house was extended in 1628 to demonstrate their status. The Grand Staircase now allowed easy access between floors and two of the rooms used by the family were paneled in oak.
When Civil War broke out between King and Parliament in 1642 Colonel Edward Prichard was appointed Commissioner of Array to the King, raising men and money for the Royalist cause in Glamorganshire.
By the middle of 1645 support was waning and King Charles I came on a rallying tour through South Wales and visited Llancaiach Fawr for lunch on 5th August. Shortly afterwards the Prichards and many other Glamorgan gentry changed sides to support Parliament and Colonel Prichard subsequently defended Cardiff Castle against the Royalists.
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Visitors today step into Llancaiach Fawr restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645. All
the furnishings in the rooms are accurate reproductions of items from the time of the Prichards
and many of the originals can be found in the Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans, which was
once owned by the Lewis family.
The Prichards were proud of their heritage, boasted about their genealogy, and pointed to their descent from Ifor Bach. Ifor Bach, described by Gerald of Wales as ‘a man of short stature but good courage’ was one of the common ancestors shared by the Prichards and the Lewises of the Van (and later St. Fagans, Llanishen and Newhouse).
At some point possibly after an incident involving the murder of a kinsman of Edward Lewis apparently by a servant of Edward Prichard, the Lewis and Prichard sides of the family appear to have fallen out with each other leading to brawls – on one occasion in Gelligaer Church! There were also court cases involving Edward and his two sons and members of the Lewis and Williams of Gelligaer families. A total of eleven cases were brought before the Star Chamber, concerning Edward Prichard and his son David. These offences included:
“Brawling in Gelligaer Church”, “an assault at Merthyr” and “resistance to arrest" “Assaults at Cardiff and abuse at the sessions there”; “Assault by Edmund Lewis in revenge against David Prichard for attempts to put down an
unlawful market on a mountain, called Ffait-y-Waun” (Ffair-y-Waun?) “Assault and riot at Gelligaer by David Prichard, his brother Thomas and his man, Stephen
Rooke”; “Attack by David Prichard, his brother Thomas and his man Stephen Rooke on the house
of Edward William, yeoman, and assault at Gelligaer” “Bribery of a witness to confess perjury at a former suit”.
Relationships between these families, including weddings and births, are proof that blood ties are
no guarantee of friendship.
The last Edward Pritchard married Mary Mansell of Briton Ferry. He held the post of Sheriff in 1638 and in 1640 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and continued in this post throughout the Civil War period until his death in 1655.
Having supported the King until mid.1645, like many Welsh gentry he changed his allegiance to the Parliamentarian side, and his Puritan sympathies led to his appointment as Governor of Cardiff Castle late that same year. In February 1646 he held the castle successfully against a siege by local malcontents headed by Edward Carne, until relieving forces arrived.
Subsequently Colonel Horton, the Parliamentary victor at the battle of St. Fagans in 1648, commended him for his constancy in that affray. Edward Prichard was also one of the County Commissioners for administering the Propagation Act, and a member of the group of Baptists based at Graig-yr-Allt. He seems to have been rather more law-abiding than his father and grandfather!
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Sadly, Edward and his wife lost their two sons Lewis and Thomas, they are said to have “died young”. It was their two daughters Jane and Mary who therefore inherited the Prichard estates and so on their marriage, all was lost to the Prichard name.
However, the Prichard family have never been forgotten, mainly thanks to this last son and his exploits during the Civil War, and the fine Manor house they left behind.
Long live the memory of Edward “Colonel” Prichard and his disorderly forebears!
Castell y Van - as the mansion was also referred to. The building lies on the eastern edge of Caerffili and a description of the building located by the entrance gates reads as follow;- Records referring to Van Castle date from 1415, but the dressed stone quoins and faced stones of the lodge, keep and main mansion building carry 12th century mason marks and are from the original Norman castle at Caerffili. In the grounds of Van Castle stood one of the largest medieval columnbrians (dove cotes) in Britain. The round pennant stone building contained over 100 nesting boxes and was described as a truly remarkable building. In 1529 Van Castle became the home of Sir Edward Lewis, descended from the Welsh Prince of Gwarthfoed. The Lewis family controlled vast estates in Wales and England and during the 16th century the Van was described as one of the finest houses in the county. In 1640 in his diary, the writer Symons of the Royalist (Kings) Army states Sir Edward Lewis Esq de Van has an annual income of £5,000pa from the vast Van Estates. Ann Lewis, daughter of Thomas Lewis, married Edward Prichard of Llancaiach Fawr in 1578 thus uniting the 2 families. The Van Castle and the Vast Lewis family estates in England and Wales passed with the marriage in 1730 of Elizabeth Lewis to the Third Earl of Plymouth. Her infant son other Lewis became the 4th Earl of Plymouth on the death of his father in 1732 and Van Castle remained part of the Plymouth Estate until 1991. The Castle Lodge, Castle Keep and Van Castle Mansion are now three private residences, and are not open to the public.
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Lewis of the Van Caerphilly
Edward Lewis was the first in his line to use the surname of Lewis. Previous generations used the ap or ab in their names that referred to as "son of". His father was known as Lewis ap Richard. The Welsh also used the term "verch" which referred to "daughter of".
Edward Lewis was already a wealthy man when in 1529, he brought his family to the Van, a hamlet in the Monmouthshire parish of Bedwas, situated in Glamorgan, Wales. He built the Manor House here, referred to as the Van. It was added to in later years by his son Thomas, who was permitted to use some of the material from the dilapidated Caerphilly Castle which he did not own.
Edward was also the first in his family to use the title "of Van", sometimes spelled "Vann" or “Fan”. The ancestors of Edward were, for many generations, great Lords in East Glamorgan decending from Gwaethfoed, Prince of Cardigan. Although references to time periods in Welsh genealogy are vague, it was known that Gwaethfoed died near the end of the fifth century.
Lewis School, Pengam - is a comprehensive school founded in 1729 in the Parish and village of Gelligaer and, later, moved to the nearby village of Pengam, in the Rhymney Valley in South Wales. It was founded and funded by a legacy of Sir Edward Lewis of Gilfach Fargoed, , in the Parish of Gelligaer, a descendent of Edward Lewis of Van Mansion, Caerphilly, a knight, landowner and captain of industry who died in 1728.
The school currently occupies a new facility, opened in 2002, in Gilfach at the northern perimeter of one of its former Pengam sites. Before 2002, the campus was in Pengam, across two sites, with a bridge spanning the main road between them. A third site, at the former Graddfa Secondary Modern School in Ystrad Mynach, provided for around 300 younger secondary pupils between 1973 and 2002. This third site was purchased in 2003 by Ystrad Mynach College, whose Ystrad
Mynach campus lies adjacent to the Graddfa site. Until circa 1848, the school was wholly located in Gelligaer.
Lewis School was established as a school for poor boys of the parish of Gelligaer, as can be seen from this extract of Sir Edward Lewis' will : "That they in the first place out of the profits of the Wood and premises build a School near the Church of the value of forty pounds and also every year after the building of the said School that my said Trustees pay to a School Master yearly out of the rents and profits of the said premises the sum of ten pounds per annum and likewise that my said Trustees lay out fifteen pounds yearly for Coats and Caps for fifteen poor Boys of the said parish to be taught by the said Master to Read write and cast Accompt, And the rest of the profits for the improving that Charity for the use of the said Master and Boys",
Lewis' School was originally a school for boys founded in a time when girls rarely received an education so no distinction of gender was needed in its title which was simply Lewis' School. So from modest beginnings the school was moved and enlarged, 1848, later to become a grammar school, though always maintaining the simple title, Lewis' School, eventually extending its catchment to other parishes, Bedwellty, Mynyddislwyn and St Ilans and more and more in the late 19th century to girls of those parishes.
The school is associated with Lewis' School for girls originally opened in Hengoed near Pengam in November 1900 but later moved to a new, larger facility in the town of Ystrad Mynach. Once again Lewis School Pengam became a boys' school, hence, since there were now separate Lewis schools for boys and girls, local people started to refer to the Pengam School as Lewis boys which was much frowned on by successive headmasters and staff.
Both schools became comprehensive schools under subsequent educational reform.
Both institutions during their times as grammar schools were renowned for consistently excellent standards of education and the high attainments of many of their pupils.
Trivia: Once described by David Lloyd George as "the Eton College of the Valleys".
Ex pupils include:
Sir Julian Hodge (15 October 1904 – 17 July 2004) was a London-born entrepreneur and banker who lived in Wales for most of his life, from the age of five. He formed the Bank of Wales (originally known as the Commercial Bank of Wales), and later the Julian Hodge Bank in Cardiff
From Van to Llanishen House Cardiff
Edward Lewis` son Thomas Lewis built his family home at Llanishen in Cardiff simply called Llanishen House or later The Old House.
Relationship Chart showing the Lewis family moving to Llanishen House then to The New House:
Sir Edward Lewis of the Van to Wyndham Lewis of Greenmeadow and Pantwynlais Castle JP DL via Llanishen House and The New House.
Wyndham Lewis of Greenmeadow and Pantwynlais Castle JP DL is the 6 x great grandson
of Sir Edward Lewis of the Van.
Sir Edward Lewis of the Van - Birth about 1568 / Married Blanch Morgan Sir Thomas Lewis of Llanishen - Son of Edward Lewis of Van Gabriel Lewis of Llanishen - Married Elizabeth Carne / 1614 Sheriff of Glamorgan Thomas Lewis of Llanishen - Married Eleanor Johns / 1629 Sheriff of Glamorgan Gabriel Lewis of Llanishen - Married Grace Wyndham / Son Thomas Lewis Thomas Lewis of Llanishen – Married twice Elizabeth Van & Elizabeth Morgan Thomas Lewis of Newhouse - Death 1764 Married Elizabeth Thomas / 1757 Sheriff of
Glamorgan.
Rev. Wyndham Lewis of Newhouse and Tongwynlais / Birth 1735 – Glamorgan - Death 1781 (Age 46) Wyndham Lewis MP of Newhouse and Greenmeadow JP DL / Birth 6 October 1780 Death 14 March 1838 (Age 57) -- Mayfair, London – Widow Mary Ann went on to marry Benjamin Disraeli
This extract is taken from’ Life on the Heath’, by Gareth Williams:
“In the early 17th century a younger son of the Lewis family married an heiress from Llanishen and built a house there, simply called Llanishen House. It later became Old House, after Thomas Lewis, one of the descendants, rebuilt Dan-y-ddraenen farm on Thornhill and renamed it New House. … Around 1835 Old House was demolished to make way for Llanishen Fawr farm.”
The possible site of Llanishen House (Old House), family home of the Lewis Family before New House
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The Lewis Family from “THE SUBURB OF LLANISHEN”
“During the Suppression, the monastic properties were distributed among a number of high status and powerful families, including the Kemys' and Lewises. The original home of the Lewises was near the church at Llanishen House and for more than two centuries, the Lewis family conducted their affairs from here. They later moved to a mansion built in the 18th century on Thornhill known as 'New House' which is now a hotel.”
The following is from ‘Families and Farms in Lisvane’ Riden and Edwards, 1993:
The Lewises of Llanishen were descended from a junior branch of an important medieval Welsh family, the Lewises of the Van, the mansion near Caerphilly.
Their original home in Llanishen was what later became known as ‘Old House’, or simply Llanishen House, which stood a short distance north of Llanishen church and was demolished in 1835 after the estate on which it stood was acquired by the Marquess of Bute. The farmhouse erected on the site by the Bute Estate was later known as Llanishen-fawr. Sometime around the middle of the eighteenth century the Lewises built New House, on the lower slopes of Graig Llanishen, which henceforth became their main home, although it appears to have been let for much of the second half of the eighteenth century.
1730`s Thomas Lewis built The New House Thornhill Cardiff.
February 22, 1732 – George Washington, 1st President of the United States was born.
1735 – The main Cardiff to Caerphilly road would have been a dirt track, no cars but horse & cart for transport. No Electric lights or central heating - lounge fires in the fireplaces for warmth.
King George 2nd was on the throne. 1752 - The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar (to take effect in
September). 1759 - The Guinness Brewery is founded by Arthur Guinness in St. James's Gate,
Dublin, Ireland. 1734 - General election results in Robert Walpole winning his third victory as
Prime Minister. 1735 - Welsh Methodist revival begins. 1736 - Repeal of laws against witchcraft. Births include James Watt, inventor (died
1819) 1739 - On the advice of Prime Minister Robert Walpole, war is declared on Spain
and the War of Jenkins' Ear begins after Spain violates the Asiento rights granted to Great Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht.
The first hostilities in the War of Jenkins' Ear begin with the much celebrated British capture of Porto Bello in Panama.
1740 - Buoyed by the success at Porto Bello, "Rule, Britannia!" was written by James Thomson and set to music by Thomas Arne.
1752 - The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar (to take effect in September).
1759 The Guinness Brewery is founded by Arthur Guinness in St. James's Gate, Dublin, Ireland.
America didn`t get their independence until 4th July 1776. In 1770 Captain Cook claims Australia for Britain, landing in Botany Bay.
Historical Summary - Great Britain - Middle 1700's While the Whigs continue their control of Parliament, and new King George II
remains as uninterested in ruling as his father had been, a Jacobite revolt occurs in Scotland. The "Young Pretender", Catholic grandson of James II, Bonnie Prince Charlie leads the Scots into England, but is tragically defeated at Culloden Moor in 1746. This is the last great dynastic battle over British rule, and the last land battle in England or Scotland.
Britain suffered great poverty during this time. The colony of Georgia is founded by Colonel James Oglethorpe and peopled by ex-inmates of London's Debtor's prison.
A foundling hospital is opened in London for the unwanted children of the poor -- many beg and are dying in the streets, as for others -- a study shows of the 2339 children admitted into London work houses, only 168 remain alive after five years. To combat the rampant alcoholism, a gin tax is also levied. Medicine is improved and viewed more scientifically and hospitals appear in many cities. In 1752, Great Britain adopts the Gregorian calendar. The date is progressed 11 days to match European date, where this calendar has been used since 1582.
European nations begin allying against expansionist Prussia, who attacks and begins a Seven Years War in 1756. Britain joins Prussia and attacks France, finally defeating her in Europe in 1759. A more important gain for Britain is won in her battles with the French North American Colonies. The British under Wolfe defeat the French under Montcalm near Quebec City's Plains of Abraham. Britain takes possession of New France and now controls about half of North America.
During the battles with the Native Americans and the French, Benjamin Franklin proposes that greater solidarity would come to the original 13 Colonies from rule by a single British Governor General accompanied by a grand elected council.
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Currently each colony has its own governor. This was eventually rejected by each side, as both desire greater control.
Liberal ideals grow in the 13 Colonies, where the right to free speech is won during the libel case of a New York publisher. On the other hand, slavery is still practiced in the British Empire, and especially in the colonies: of their 1.5 million people, one fifth are black slaves from Africa.
Historical Summary - Great Britain 1760's The colonies in British North America continue to agitate, as taxes have been
raised to pay for the recent war effort. The colonies now feel that British rule is irrelevant with New France conquered. The conflicts center around principle, not action, and do not appear to be resolvable.
At home, George III has assumed the throne, and unlike his father and grandfather, George desires a more powerful monarchy. He stacks the Parliament in his favour, but meets with public disapproval.
Economically, canals begin to improve transportation. Factories spring up as improved iron smelting allows factories nearer coal fields, especially in the Midlands area to the north. Coal use promotes steam-powered inventions appearing recently. By 1765, James Watt improves the original Newcomen steam engine, and its efficiency in manufacturing begins mechanization of production.
In 1770 Captain Cook claims Australia for Britain, landing in Botany Bay.
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Painting signed by Wilfred Wilson, thought to be before the bedroom extension to the Countess suite in 1979
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Painting of The Newhouse signed by D Fricker `79
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The New House around 1950 still owned by the Threipland Family
A tunnel ran from the cellar to a point around 300 yards south of the manor house and came out in the field, just in case the occupants had to “get out” quickly. It is said the family silver was kept in the tunnel which has now collapsed and the entrance now bricked up.
Where the hotel marquee stands was once a swimming pool which also doubled up as a reservoir in case of a house fire. Possible filled by a mountain spring coming off Caerphilly Mountain.
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The New House pictured in 1969 before it became a hotel, cottage to the West where
the bedroom annex is used to be a hen house, a goose house, the joiners shop and a store
with a downstairs workshop later to become a small cottage for a retired housekeeper.
The swimming pool, upper left is where the Marquee now stands.
To the East of the house was a large billiard room built on by a tenant in the 1870`s. This
was a timber building which went on to become the estate office in the mid 20th century.
The person who built it used to bring in his staff on Sundays and give them a sermon from
the gallery within – or so the story goes.
The Wyndham Suite and conservatory now stand to the East of the house.
In 1974, the owner Mr Stuart Wyndham Murray Threipland, did a complete makeover of
the house and put in - the stone floor with black diamonds, all the marble chimney pieces,
added the "Countess Bathroom" and moved the kitchen from behind the hall and into a
large square next door room (Rear of restaurant).
It took months and months for the work as they also re-wired, and re plumbed the whole
house and then decorated it top to bottom!
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Stuart Wyndham Murray Thriepland was born in the "Marqess" room in 1947.
The Long Barn – This was one of the barns for the New House estate, now converted to a
dwelling
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Painting of Wyndham Lewis circ 1800 with The New House in the background
Thomas Lewis (Industrialist)
Career
Born into a landed family from Llanishen, Thomas Lewis became an iron-master. He already owned the Pentyrch blast furnace and several small forges when he became a partner in Dowlais Ironworks in 1759. Lewis was the partner who arranged the mineral leases and construction of the new ironworks: the works were carried out by his business, Thomas Lewis & Co. He headed the business and his family interest was not bought out until 1848.
He was also a partner in the firm of Coles, Lewis & Co which had interests at Melin-y-cwrt and Ynys-y-gerwn.
Lewis's family had lived at Llanishen for many generations but he was responsible for building the New House there. He was clearly a highly respected individual and served as High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1757.
there as a Conservative in 1832, he lost on account of bribery by the Radicals, as he
believed. Determined not to be outgunned again, he continued to lavish money on the
constituency and its fledgling Conservative societies and was elected with ease in 1835.
By 1837 he was effectively the borough’s patron, able to return himself and whomsoever
he pleased.
Lewis’s decision to back Disraeli, his wife’s ‘parliamentary protégé’, illustrates another
revealing aspect of his career: the political influence exercised by his wife. Like his
business partner Guest, Lewis had married a woman who was politically aware and active,
most conspicuously at election time with canvassing and campaigning, but also generally
behind the scenes. With Lewis, however, it may have gone further. His estranged son-in-
law claimed that Lewis ‘was so completely under petticoat government that he would not
dare to vote on any question in the House of Commons without the sanction of his wife!’
Maidstone’s electors, he asserted, were ‘being represented, de facto, in the British
Legislature by a woman!’
The same son-in-law also accused Wyndham of having two illegitimate children (both of
whom appear to have been provided for in Lewis’s will) and Mary of ‘flagitious behaviour’
with other men. Mrs. Lewis’s affairs have indeed been the subject of much historical
speculation. However, there is no doubting the genuine feeling that existed between the
couple, as the affectionate notes and keepsakes of hair collected by Mary following
Wyndham’s death in 1838 amply testify. Eighteen months after being widowed Mrs Lewis
married Disraeli, twelve years her junior, and began funding his political career. She was
rewarded with the rare honour of a peerage in her own right four years before her own
death in 1872.
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GreanMeadow home of Wyndham Lewis just before it`s demolition in the 1940`s
Mary Anne Lewis / Disraeli
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
Mary Anne Disraeli, 1st Viscountess Beaconsfield (11 November 1792–15 December 1872) was a British peeress and society figure, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Born Mary Anne Evans in Tongwynlais, Cardiff, she first married Wyndham Lewis, MP and after his death she remarried to Benjamin Disraeli. It was as in recognition of his services to the nation that Queen Victoria made Mary Anne a peeress in her own right, Viscountess Beaconsfield of Beaconsfield in the County of Buckingham, as Benjamin wished to remain in the House of Commons. (After Mary Anne's death he accepted the title of Earl of Beaconsfield.)
Staid Victorians were often scandalised by Mary Anne's uninhibited remarks but soon learned not to insult her within Disraeli's hearing. Even Queen Victoria herself was said to be amused when Mary Anne commented, in response to a remark about some lady's pale complexion, "I wish you could see my Dizzy in his bath!" Once, at a house party where Lord Hardinge, a great soldier of the day, was in the room next to the Disraelis, Mary
Anne announced at breakfast that she had slept the night before between the greatest soldier (Hardinge) and the greatest orator (Disraeli) of their times, and Lady Hardinge was definitely not amused.
THE MAJOR HISTORIC FAMILY ESTATES IN THE CARDIFF AREA
Plymouth Estates Ltd
Edward ap Lewis settled at the Van in Caerphilly in the early 16th century. He and his descendants acquired extensive lands in the Taff & Rhymney Valleys and in the Vale of Glamorgan, particularly in Llanishen, Whitchurch, Radyr, St.Fagans & Penmark, plus property in Wiltshire and Buckinghamshire. In 1616 Sir Edward Lewis of Van purchased St.Fagans Castle and its surrounding lands from Sir William Herbert and set about improving the castle (really a fortified manor house rather than a true castle). The last male of the senior branch of the Lewis family left a daughter, Elizabeth Lewis, who married Other Windsor, 3rd Earl of Plymouth. The eventual heiress of this branch of the Windsor family married into the Clive family (the family of soldier Clive of India) and became Windsor-Clive. Although the title Earl of Plymouth had died with the last male of the family, a later descendant in the Windsor-Clive family was created Earl of Plymouth so that the Plymouth association with Cardiff continued for many years.
Eventually the Earl of Plymouth gave St.Fagans Castle and its surrounding estate to the County and it has, for many years now been used as the Welsh Folk Museum (now called the National Museum of Wales - Museum of Rural Life). The castle itself is a museum and in the grounds have been built many buildings transferred from all over Wales to show what life was like in days past.
St Fagans Castle now the Welsh Folk Museum
As with the Bute Estate (Mountjoy Estates Ltd) one can trace links to the Plymouth Estate through street names eg in Grangetown, Cardiff which formed a part of the Plymouth Estate there are roads named Redlaver Street, Penhevad Street, Llanmaes Street, Stockland Street, Pentrebane Street all named after farms in the St.Fagans area which were part of the Plymouth Estate. In addition there are Clive Street and Clive Cottages
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(St.Fagans) named after the Clive family and Windsor Place named after the Windsor family. Similarly in Penarth, which also formed part of the Estate one will find Plymouth Rd., Windsor Rd, & Forrest Rd (name after Robert Forrest Agent to the Plymouth family). The Plymouth Estate in Glamorgan in the mid 1940s amounted to around 17,000 acres.
The Lewis Family Estates
Mention has been made above of Edward ap Lewis founder of the Lewis Family in connection with the Plymouth Estate. Amongst the many descendants of Edward ap Lewis was a branch which settled at Llanishen near Cardiff. The main line of this family sold their lands in Llanishen to the Marquis of Bute when Wyndham Lewis died in 1835, but another branch of the Llanishen family had earlier settled at the New House in Llanishen when Thomas Lewis a son of the main Llanishen line married the daughter of Henry Morgan of Rhiwbina (a scion of the Morgans of Tredegar) and built the New House. It was this Thomas Lewis who was one of the founders of the Dowlais Ironworks and his descendants were involved with that company for many years afterward (the Glamorgan Historian, Antiquarian & Genealogist, George T Clark whose works should be well known to family historians of Glamorgan was Managing Director of the Dowlais Iron Co and his wife was a New House Lewis who inherited land at Talygarn, Pontyclun which remained in the Clark family for many years)
By marriage, Wyndham Lewis son of Thomas Lewis of New House, inherited a large estate in Pentyrch, Capel Llaniltern and Tongwynlais. One of his sons, Henry Lewis, inherited much of the land in the Tongwynlais area and he settled at Greenmeadow in that village, another son, Wyndham Lewis, was MP for Cardiff & for Maidstone, Kent and a great friend of Benjamin Disraeli, the Prime Minister, who married Lewis’s widow, Mary Ann; New House remained with the eldest line of the family, evetually passing by marriage to the Murray-Thriepland family. New House still exists and is a hotel. Another branch of the family obtained much of the Enclosed Heath land in the vicinity of Allensbank Road. This estate is now mostly taken up by Heath Park, a large open park, and by the adjacent University Hospital of Wales.
The greater Lewis family have left their mark on South Wales : including The New House Cardiff, Van Mansion in Caerphilly ,Lewis Boys & Girls schools in the Rhymney Valley, St Fagans Castle Now The Welsh Folk Museum (free entry) .. Many roads bearing the Lewis name as well as public houses……
Heathfield House and Heath Park
Apart from the farms the only buildings in the district were a few cottages and Heathfield
House, later known as ‘Heath House’. This property was built by the Reverend W. Price
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Lewis in the mid 1840's, which added to the Lewis family's expansive estate on the Heath,
it also became the home of William Wyndham Lewis of the NewHouse.
In 1938, the City Council purchased Heath House and associated parkland from a
descendant of the Lewis family. By the 1960s, most of the Heath was an urban suburb
after the remainder of the lands owned by the Lewises and Butes were sold off for new
housing developments and the site for a new hospital – The University Hospital of Wales.
Fortunately, Heath House and its grounds were the one area which was saved from the
rapid expansion of housing, however the building had by now become derelict and
eventually succumbed to arson in 1965.
The remains were cleared away soon after but the grounds remain undeveloped to this
day. The Park is bordered by King George V Drive, and is one of Cardiff’s finest facilities
which over the years has served many purposes.
Heathfield House and Heath Park
The ruined building was used unofficially as a changing room for the playing fields until it
was demolished in 1980.
Ordnance Survey maps show that the site of Heath House and its outbuildings is now
occupied by the Miniature Railway and Tramway. The outbuildings lay approximately
within the railway track, while Heath House itself stood outside the track and partly under
the present day car park.
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Census:
1841 Newhouse - Only 1 Lewis showing on Census day
W P Lewis age 55 Clerk
Mary Williams 35 Ind
Joseph Willis 25 Man Servant
William Jones 15 Man Servant
Susan Mills 30 Family Servant
Cath Morgan 20 Family Servant
Ann Evans 20 Family Servant
Rachael Smith 20 Family Servant
Cecil Morgan 20 Family Servant
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Willis & Mills not born in County.
1851 Newhouse - Only 1 Lewis showing on Census day with her family and servants.
Margaret Lewis Head Widow age 35 Gentlewoman Born Glamorgan - Merthyr
Mary Russel Sister Widow 41 Gentlewoman Born Brecon ........?
Edward Overton Brother 26 Gentle Man Born Brecon - Llanthony
Julia Russel Niece 13 U At Home Born Cumberland - Carlisle Castle
Frank Pierce Visitor U 35 Gentleman
George Ball Servant U 38 Butler Born Wilts - Westbury
Mary Williams Servant 23 House Maid Born Glamorgan - St Athan
? Mills Servant U 23 Lady's Maid Born Germany
Mary Williams Servant U 24 Kitchen Maid Born Glamorgan - Cowbridge
William Miller Servant Widr 70 Labourer Born Glamorgan - Eglwysilan
Rachel Edwards Servant U 17 Seamstress Born Glamorgan - Eglwysilan
Cathrine Jones Servant U 23 Lady's Maid
The 1861 Census shows an interesting head of house: John Batchelor - 'The Friend of
Freedom'
John Batchelor Head Married 39 Timber Merchant-Shipbuilder & Farmer of 151 acres
Employing 11 men & 1 woman Born Monmouth-Newport
Fanny S Batchelor Wife Married 37 Born Essex-Finchingfield
Edith Evangeline Batchelor 8 Scholar Born Glam-Cardiff
John G Herbert Batchelor 6 Scholar Born Glam-Cardiff
Ernest Edward Batchelor 5 Scholar Born Glam-Cardiff
Cyril Falworth Batchelor 4 Scholar Born Glam-Cardiff
John Burden Batchelor 3 Schlar Born Glam-Cardiff
Arthur Llewellyn Batchelor 1 Born Glam-Cardiff
Tom Eustace Batchelor 7 Mths Born Glam-Llanishen
Sarah Ellen Powell visitor Mar 29 Born Essex-Finchingfield
Caroline Thomas Batchelor visitor 29 Born Glamorgan-Caerffili
Samuel Batchelor visitor 31 Timber Merchant & Ship Turner Born Monmouth-Newport
Jane Evans Servant Married 23 Cook Born Glamorgan-Caerffili
Ann Thomas Servant Un 22 House Maid Born Pembroke-Haverfordwest
Sarah Davies Servant 24 Nurse Born Llandovery
Sophia Tanner assistant Um 28 Needlewoman Born Kent-Deptford
Catherine Marcham assistant Mar Nursery Governess Born Brimscombe Port Gloucester
Julia Kathleen Powell visitor 2 Born Kensington London
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John Batchelor, "The Friend of Freedom" as the inscription on his statue declares, was one
of the most notable citizens of Cardiff in the middle years of the 19th century. He was a
shipbuilder, timber merchant, radical politician and a man with a genuine interest in
helping the poorer classes of his adopted town.
Batchelor was born in Newport in 1820 and moved to Cardiff while he was still a young man. He went into business as a timber and slate merchant, his companies being based in the dock area of Cardiff. However, he also soon established timber yards in both Merthyr and Aberdare.
Living in Cardiff, it was perhaps inevitable that John Batchelor should develop his business interests to include nautical elements, and a move into ship building was perhaps always on the cards. He was also one of a group of men who founded and established the Mount Stuart Dry Dock.
Politically - and emotionally - Batchelor was adamantly opposed to the Bute family, the most important and influential clique in South Wales. There were many conflicts, particularly with the third Marquess of Bute, a man who virtually held Cardiff and its docks in the palm of his hand. Partly as a way of circumventing Bute control of the Welsh coal trade, Batchelor became involved in the creation of Penarth Docks, being appointed its director in 1856.
Quite apart from being a successful businessman, Batchelor had a clear social conscience and his concerns led him to the radical wing of the Liberal Party. Between 1850 and 1859 he was a Liberal councillor for Cardiff South and in 1853/54 he served as Cardiff Mayor. He was elected president of the Cardiff Liberal Association in 1869 and, as a devoted Congregationalist, he was responsible for the founding of a new chapel in Charles Street.
Batchelor's range of interests was immense. He campaigned, tirelessly, against abuses such as slavery and he was also the Chairman of the Cardiff School Board. Above all, he was concerned with municipal reform and was opposed to the vested interests of the Tories and of people like the Butes. He genuinely wanted to help people less fortunate than himself. This stance, of course, brought him into regular conflict with the 'establishment', and he always sided with the underdog. There are those who say that the eventual collapse of Batchelor's business empire was down to various conspiracies by the Butes and their supporters. Whatever the reason he lost money, his companies went into serious financial decline and, in the 1870s, were eventually liquidated.
John Batchelor still had many friends and supporters, however. After the collapse of his businesses, friends held a collection and were able to present him with the grand sum of £5,000 -
no small amount in those days. Batchelor continued to work as an agent until his death in 1863 but, as far as social reform and public acclaim were concerned, his glory days were gone.
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And yet, not quite. It was decided that Batchelor had been such an influence in Cardiff that he warranted a statue. The sculptor James Milo Griffith was commissioned for £1,000, and the statue was duly placed in the Hayes. It was unveiled on 16 October 1886.
It has been said that when he was at The Newhouse he used to sit on the front patio and look out towards Cardiff docks and watch the ships come back and forth.
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John Batchelor statue late 1880`s Born 1820 – died
1883
None of the Lewis family were showing on any of the census records to 1911 because
the New House was leased out until the 1920`s .
1871 NewHouse
Herrick Augustus Palmer, Head Married 35 Captain Adjutant Glamorgan Militia,Born
Leicester Carlton Curlieu
Dorothy Susan Palmer, Wife Married 27 Born Leicester Nosely
Heyrick Arthur Palmer, 6 Born Glamorgan - Neath
Elizabeth Ethel Palmer, 5 Born Leicester Nosely
Frederick Charles Palmer, 4 Born Glamorgan - Llandaff
Robert Henry Palmer, 3 Born Glamorgan - Llanishen
Charles Palmer, 1 Born Glamorgan – Llanishen
Selinda Ellen Geater Governess Unmarried 18 Governess Born Suffolk - Leiston
Anne Roper Serv Unmarried 29 Housemaid Domestic Serv Born Pembroke - Spittle
Maria Thomas Serv Unmarried 28 Cook Born Pembroke - St Brides
Harriet Jane Binning Serv Unmarried 19 Nursemaid Born Somerset -Webmore
Esther Annie Bowen Serv Unmarried 28 Lancashire - Holly Bush
Elizabeth Rhiadson Serv Married 49 Laundress Domestic Servant Born Norfolk
1881 New House
William Cubitt Head Married 31 Mechanical Engineer Born Middlesex - Hornsey
Louisa J Cubitt Wife Married 34 Born France (B S)
William Mackworth Brother-in-Law 33 Civil Engineer born France (B S)
William Bramham Servant Unmarried Valet Born Yorkshire - Wathondern
Mary Evans Serv 38 Cook Married Born Carmarthenshire - Llandilo
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Ann Williams Serv Unmarried 23 Housemaid Born Carmarthenshire - Llandilo
Catherine Jones Serv Unmarried 32 Parlourmaid Born Carmarthenshire - Llandilo
Margaret Evans Serv Unmarried 32 Kitchenmaid Born Cardiganshire - Llanrhysted
Ann Evans Serv Unmarried 22 Housemaid Born Cardiganshire – Llanrhysted
1891 New House – only servants
William Mann Servant in Charge Sgl 25 Butler(Domestic) Born Warwickshire Snettersfield
Maria Shears Servant Sgl 22 House maid Born Hereford Hay
Mary Farr Serv Sgl 19 Cook Born N K
Martha Parton Serv Sgl 15 Kitchen Maid Born Hereford Lladah
There is no family residing there at this time?
New House 1901
Joseph Gaskell Head Married 50 Managing Director of Brewery Co Born Devon
Walborough
Emily M Gaskell Wife Married 50 Born Yorkshire Borobridge
Edith M Gaskell Daughter Single 20 Born Glamorgan Penarth
Grace E Gaskell Daughter Single 18 Born Glamorgan Penarth
Martha Day Servant Sgl 50 Cook Domestic Born Pembroke-Manorbier
Lydia H B Taylor Servant 26 Parlour Maid Born Kent - Maidstone
Caroline David Servant Sgl 27 House Maid Born Glamorgan- Llantwit Major
Florence Baggett Servant Sgl 21 House Maid Born Gloucester - Bully
Mary A Smith Servant Sgl 20 Kitchen maid Born Radnor – Gladesby
Colonel Joseph Jabez Exell Gaskell CBE, born in Newton Abbott mid 1849 According to
the 1861 Census, Joseph was aged 11, a Scholar and living with his parents at 59
Crockherbtown Cambrai Place, Cardiff. According to the 1871 Census, Joseph was living
with his parents at 12 Windsor Road, Cardiff; He was a Cider and General Commission
Agent, like his father. According to the 1881 Census, Joseph, aged 31, was living at 1
Windsor, Penarth, Glamorgan, with his wife, Emily Mary Hill, also 31, whom he married in
late 1874 in Cardiff. Edith was born c. 1850 in Borobridge, Yorkshire. Joseph was still a
Commission Agent (ABS). There was also a servant and a nurse in their home; their
children then were.
Joseph Clore Gaskell aged 4 and born c.1877 in Penarth, Glamorgan
Lt Colonel Frank Hill Gaskell aged 2 and born mid 1878 in Penarth. He married Violet Ann
C Charles in early 1909. Frank had served during the Boer War and was awarded King
Edward’s Coronation Medal. In 1916 he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 16th Battalion of
the Welsh Regiment and was killed on 17th May 1916 and buried in Merville Cemetery,
North France, plot V11. A17. His home in Wales was then Boscobel, Llanishen.
Edith M Gaskell aged 2 and born late 1880 in Penarth, Glamorgan. She married Ivor
Vincent Downing, who was born in Cardiff in 1879. They had a daughter:
Grace Mary Downing married Laurence Stopford Cotter in 1935. Laurence was born in
1912 and killed in action in Sicily in 1943. Grace died in 1992 in Yelverton, Devon
By the mid 1870s Joseph ran had licensed stores in Cardiff and Llanarth Street,
Newport.These stores were supplied by Hancocks Brewery of Somerset. In 1883
Hancocks employed Joseph to be MD of North & Low's Bute Dock Brewery in
Cardiff. According to the 1891 census, Joseph, aged 41, was still MD of a the Brewery.
Joseph and his wife, Emily was also 41 and born in Borobridge, Yorkshire were living at
The Coldra, Newport. There was a Governess and three servants in the home. Their
children then at home, including Edith, aged 10, were:
Grace Emily Gaskell aged 8 born in Penarth, Glamorgan in early 1883. She was a scholar
and married in mid 1909.
Geoffrey Whittall Gaskell aged 5 born in Penarth in mid 1885 and a scholar
Joseph Gerald Gaskell aged 5 born in Penarth in mid 1885 and a scholar
Joseph was the son of William Jonathan George Clare Bone Gaskell and Mary Elizabeth
Stranack. William was the son of William Gaskell and Mercy Bone. William was the son of
George and Elizabeth Gaskell.
New House 1911
James Reynolds Head 56 Mar Army(Pensioner) Major Born Lancashire Manchester
Diana Reynolds Wife 39 Born Glamorgan Cardiff
Beryl Reynolds Daur 10 Born Glamorgan Cardiff
Dudley Reynolds Son 9 Born Pembrokeshire H'West( Haverfordwest)
Claude Reynolds Son 7 Born Pembrokeshire H'West
George Reynolds Son 2 Glamorgan Llanishen
Mabel Baxter Governess 29 Single Born Cambridgeshire Manea
Mary Mathias Serv 29 Single Cook Born Pembrokeshire Stackpole
Edith Brown Serv 25 Parlour maid Born Pembrokeshire Pembroke
Mary Parry Serv 25 Single Nurse Born Denbighshire Ruabon
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Martha Robbins Serv 46 Single House maid Born Somerset Charlton Mendip
Kate Mullens Serv 17 Single Kitchen Maid Born Monmouthshire Monmouth
Administrative and biographical history: The New House estate descended in the male line
from Thomas Lewis (d 1764) of New House, Llanishen, Glamorgan, eldest son by the
second marriage of Thomas Lewis of Llanishen, until John Lewis of New House died
without issue in 1850, the estate passing to his wife Margaret, who sold the estate to
Wyndham William Lewis. Wyndham William Lewis (b. 1827) of the Heath, Cardiff, was
the grandson of the Rev. Wyndham Lewis of New House. Wyndham William Lewis's
daughter, Charlotte Eleanor Wyndham, co-heiress of the New House estate, married
Colonel William Murray Threipland (1866-1942), formerly of Fingask Castle, Scotland,
which he sold, and of Dale, Toftingall and Pennyland, also in Scotland, which he
transferred by deed of gift to his son Major Patrick Wyndham Murray Threipland. Their
son, Major Patrick Wyndham Murray Threipland (1904-1963) was joint owner of New
House with his mother. According to the 1873 return of owners of land, the late
Wyndham William Lewis of The Heath, Glamorgan, owned 3,655 acres, all in Glamorgan
and Monmouthshire, with an annual rental of £7,172 .
New House remained with the eldest line of the family, eventually passing by marriage of Charlotte Eleanor Lewis, co-heiress of William Wyndham Lewis to Colonel William Murray Threipland. In 1979 the New House was sold by Mr Stuart Wyndham Murray Threipland and the family link, which went back to the 1730`s, was broken.
Mr Terry Hogget bought the house, where HLN Architects were based for about 10 years, before moving and the company are still successfully operating at a number of UK sites.
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C S Lewis Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. C. S. Lewis's most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics in The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures. Thomas Lewis of The New House & C S Lewis are both descended from Edward Lewis of The Van Caerffili. THE LEWIS FAMILY OF WALES AND AMERICA, by Edward Simmons "The ancestors in the direct line of this family were for many years great Lords in East Glamorganshire, Wales, and the chief of those who claimed descent from Gweathvoed, Prince of Cardigan, descended form Teon, Prince of Britain, in tenth generation.... "The generations following are in descent, Madoc, Llewellyn, Llewellyn Ychn, Rees Vwya, Llewellyn Anwyl, Richard Gwyn, to Lewis ap Richard Gwy, whose son, Edward (d. 1560), assumed the name of Lewis as a family name, and is known as the founder of the family of Lewis. Edward Lewis of the Van was a very wealthy person. The twelve preceding generations of his paternal ancestors had each married an heiress of large wealth, and these accumulated possessions–more than sixty manors, coal and mining operations, and other assets of value–now came into his ownership. "He selected the Manor of Van, in Bedwas, enclosed the park, and built the older part of the house, of which the ruins are still so stately. He also built the great dove-cote, which still stands, in good preservation. He married Ann, daughter of Sir William Morgan of Pencoed, Knight, by Florence Bridges of Cuberly. He was Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1548, 1555, 1559, and Deputy Custos Rotulorum for the County, the Earl of Pembroke being Custos. He died about 1560, and, with his wife, was buried at Llanover.
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"They had children: Thomas, eldest son and heir; William, of Glyn-Taff; Edward, of Llanishen; Mary, married Rowland Kemeys; Elizabeth, married Edward Herbert; Margaret, married Sir Miles Button; Jane, married George Avan; Blanche, married George Kemeys; Cecil, married William Prichard. "Thomas Lewis (d. 1593)of the Van, eldest son and heir, was Sheriff, 1569, and Deputy Custos. He married Margaret, daughter of Robert Gamage of Coyty, by Joan Champernoun of Dartington. By Margaret Gamage, Thomas Lewis had: Edward (b. 1560), heir; George, of Llystalybont; Edmund, the first of the family to bear that English name; Ann, married John Thomas; Mary, married Humphrey Mathew; Jane; Florence, married William Fleming; also a son, John, named in his will, where he leaves him certain lands, money, and cattle. "Sir Edward Lewis, eldest son and heir, of Saint Fagan’s Castle, Penmark Place, etc., born 1560, and thirty-four years old at his father’s death, was knighted at Whitehall, 1603. He was Sheriff, 1601, 1612. He married Blanche, daughter of Thomas Morgan of Machen and Middle Temple, by Elizabeth Bodenham. Thomas Morgan was brother to Sir William Morgan of Tredegar. "Sir Edward died January 9, 1628, having children: Sir Edward (d. 1630), heir; Sir William, of Cilfach; Nicholas, died unmarried; Thomas, of Penmark Place; Catherine, married Sir Lewis Mansell; Margaret, married Harry Rice. "The Inquisition on the death of Sir Edward Lewis, taken at Cardiff, 1628, showed that he died seized of the Van, and lands in Bedwas, Ruddrye, &c.: lands in Llandaff, Saint John’s, Peterson, &c.... "To his wife, Dame Blanche, he bequeathed Saint Fagan’s Castle, its household stuff, plate, horses, cattle, &c., and his coach and four horses. "Sir Edward Lewis, of Van, and Edington, Wiltshire, eldest son and heir, was knighted by King James I at Theobalds, 26 April, 1603 His wife was Ann Sackville, daughter of Robert, second Earl of Dorset. He died 10 October, 1630, and was buried, with his wife, in the church at Edington. Robert Lewis, the fourth son, sailed from Gravesend, England, for Virginia, in 1635. "George Lewis of Llystalybont was second son Thomas Lewis of the Van and his wife, Margaret Gamage. He was Sheriff in 1610, and living in 1645. He married, first, Catherine, daughter of Miles Mathew of Castell-y-Mynach, by Catherine Mathew of Radyr; and, second, Mary, daughter of Francis Zouche. His third wife was Mary, daughter of Edward Gore of Wiltshire. "Richard Lewis, third son of the abovementioned Sir Edward and his wife, Anne Sackville (daughter of the Earl of Dorset), inherited the estates. He neglected, and probably dismantled Van, and, when in the County, used the Manor and Castle of Saint Fagan. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Thomas Lewis, whose daughter, and only child, married the Earl of Plymouth, and carried the great estate to that family, which occupies Saint Fagan’s Castle at the present time. "Sir Thomas made his daughter, Elizabeth, a wedding gift of forty thousand pounds, upon her marriage to the Earl of Plymouth. In his will, dated 6 May, 1735, he bequeathed legacies to various friends, amounting to forty thousand pounds, and the remainder to his daughter, Elizabeth (The foregoing account is the substance of extracts from Clark’s History of Glamorganshire, pages 38 &c). Edward Simmons LEWIS then carries descendants across the ocean, where he discusses “LEWIS OF THE VAN AND THE FAMILY IN AMERICA.” He begins, p. 229, with Cunnedda the Great, in 460 A. D., discussing the history of Wales and associated lineage. It is stated: "Each generation following made an advantageous marriage, so that when the succession came to Lewis ap Richard ap Llewellyn, the estate had become one of the greatest in Wales. Lewis ap Richard, by purchase, united the whole Merthyr property to the main line–now an estate of vast
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proportions, which passed down to his son, Edward ap Lewis, later known as Edward Lewis of the Van. "Until 1541 A. D., no family names existed in Wales. Family records and titles to property were recorded in a long list of single names–son to father, to grandfather, and so on–as John ap Thomas ap Richard ap William, etc. "About that time King Henry VIII decreed that all Welshmen should assume family names, and, in obedience to the royal order, Edward ap Lewis assumed his father’s name as his family name and, selecting the Manor of Van for his seat, became known as Edward Lewis of the Van. Clark’s History of Glamorganshire describes his as “a very wealthy person.” Extent of the estate is indicated by the report of the jury after an inquisition upon the death of Thomas Lewis of the Van, son of Edward, the first Lewis of the Van. The report declared that Thomas Lewis died, possessing the Manor of Van, three hundred and forty acres, and other manors in Glamorganshire; “also, 300 Messuages, cottages, and tenements in various parishes.” A similar inquisition for the County of Monmouth, describes other manors and tenements. Thomas Lewis’s son, Sir Edward Lewis, who died in 1628, inherited the estate, and the inquisition upon his death reported forty-seven manors in Glamorganshire, nineteen in Monmouth, four in Brecon, besides other property. The Court of Chancery, in 1743, in its report, showed that Thomas Lewis of the Van had given his daughter, Elzabeth, forty thousand pounds, English money, as a wedding gift upon her marriage to the Earl of Plymouth, and had distributed legacies, by will, of money, amounting to forty thousand pounds. He also left manors in Glamorganshire which were sold by order of the Court, for forty-seven thousand pounds, and also had property in Bristol valued at ten thousand pounds, and six manors in England, the total value of his estate approximating more than one hundred thousand pounds. The Welch estates passed down through the Earls of Plymouth and are owned by that family at the present time. "Edward Lewis of the Van, first of that name, married Ann Morgan, and, dying in 1560, was succeeded by his son, Thomas Lewis of the Van, who married Margaret Gamage and died in 1593, leaving sons, Edward, George, and Edmund. The eldest son, Edward, inherited the great estate. He was knighted at Whitehall in 1603, and, like his father and grandfather, held the office of Sheriff, a position of dignity and importance at that time. He married Blanche Morgan, and their son, Edward, succeeded to the estate and was knighted by King James I, at Whitehall. "This last-named Sir Edward married Ann Sackville, daughter of Edward, second Earl of Dorset, whose wife was Margaret Howard, daughter of Thomas, fourth Duke of Norfolk, and of that great house which ranked in power and prestige next to the royal family of England.... From CLARK’s work, much of the information heretofore again is provided, leading down to the migration of several LEWIS’s to America. THE LEWIS FAMILY OF WALES AND AMERICA, p. 237, continues: "George Lewis of Lystalybont (father of the just-described Edmund Lewis of Lynn, Massachusetts), married, third, Mary Gore, daughter of Edward Gore of Wiltshire, and had sons, Herbert, Harry, William, and John, and several daughters. Of these, William came to America in 1630, and, settling in Roxbury, Massachusetts, became known as William Lewis of Roxbury. References to Edmund of Lynn and William of Roxbury, as brothers (they being, actually, half-brothers), are made in several histories of that period, as follows: “'William Lewis of Roxbury, brother to Edmund Lewis of Lynn, was descended from a very respectable family in Wales. His descendants enjoy great satisfaction in being able to trace their descent from a very high antiquity.”–Annals of Lynn. 'Edmund Lewis of Lynn was brother to William Lewis of Roxbury, who descended from a Welsh family with a pedigree running back centuries.”–History of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis and James
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Newhall (second edition). 'Edmund Lewis of Lynn was one of the first settlers of Watertown. He removed to Lynn and died there in 1651. William Lewis, brother of Edmund, came from Britain in 1630 and settled in Roxbury.”–The General Register of First Settlers in New England, by John Farmer.'" THE LEWIS FAMILY OF WALES AND AMERICA, p. 239, continues with a thoroughgoing presentation of various collateral LEWIS families of early Virginia, the progenitors of many prominent American LEWIS families, where it is stated in part: "LEWIS–How the name thrills the heart with patriotic emotions–Next to that of Washington, there is no name which stands forth more prominently upon the pages of Virginian history than that of Lewis. "General Robert Lewis, first of the Virginia family, son of Sir Edward Lewis, of Brecon, Wales, and descended from the Duke of Dorset, landed in Virginia in 1635, received a grant of thirty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three acres of land in Gloucester County. "He built Warner Hall, and lived in regal style. His son, John Lewis.... ----------------- "Edmund Lewis of Lynn settled at Watertown in 1634, and in 1636 was allotted lands which had been purchased from the Indians. His homestead was six acres on the Lexington road, at Warren road, now a vacant lot, partly surrounded by portions of a stone wall or fence. He was elected selectman in 1636, the governing body at the time...."
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Memorial in St Isan`s Church Llanishen
for Thomas Lewis who built the New House in the 1730`s
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St Isan`s Church Llanishen, final resting place of Thomas Lewis & family
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Memorials to Thomas Lewis` son Rev. Wyndham Lewis, his wife Mary son Thomas &
daughter Mary. Also John Lewis
Memorial to John Lewis of The New House at St Isan`s church Llanishen
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St Isan`s Church Llanishen
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Oblesk inscription: Erected 1978 by Stuart Wyndham Murray Threipland on memory of all his LEWIS and MURRAY THREIPLAND forbearers who built and lived at New House Llanishen
William Murray Threipland
Colonel William Murray Threipland DSO JP DL (1866–1942) was a British Army officer. He was appointed the founding colonel commanding of the Welsh Guards in February 1915, and was the regiment's Colonel from March 1937.He was born William Scott Kerr, but adopted the surname of Murray Threipland on 30 April 1882, following his inheritance of the estates of his cousin, Sir Patrick Murray Threipland, 5th Baronet. These included Fingask Castle in Perthshire, and Dale House in Caithness. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1887, seeing action in the Sudan Campaign (1898), and in South Africa during the Second Boer War of 1899–1902.
On 26 February 1915, Murray Threipland, having been interviewed by Lord Kitchener and King George V, was appointed to command a new Guards Regiment. The first battalion of the Welsh Guards was officially formed the following day, with Murray Threipland in command. He was given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Murray Threipland commanded the Welsh Guards at the battle of Loos the same year. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 3 June 1916. He was appointed Colonel on 12 March 1937.
He was Deputy Lieutenant of Roxburgh. He married in 1899 Charlotte Eleanor, co-heiress of William Wyndham Lewis
The Murray Threipland family are descended from Sir Patrick Threipland, 1st Baronet of Fingask Castle, Perthshire. References to a Threipland family in Perthshire begin in the early 17th century. Patrick Threipland, son of Andrew Threipland, bought the estate and castle of Fingask in Kilspindie parish in 1672 and two years later the adjacent estate of Kinnaird. Threipland was provost of Perth from 1664 to 1669 and again from 1671 to 1674 and in 1676. He was created a baronet between 1673 and 1674 and died in 1689. His son, Sir David Threipland (1666-1746) was active as a Jacobite in the 1715 rebellion and his estates were forfeited but his second wife Katherine Smyth (or Smythe, d 1762) of Barnhill, and family continued to live at Fingask as tenants. Stuart Threipland (1716-1805) succeeded his father and was forced to leave Scotland after the second Jacobite rebellion but returned in 1747 and settled in Edinburgh. Through Threipland's marriage to Janet Budge-Murray the estates of Pennyland and Toftingall in Caithness were added to the family's possessions and in 1783 he was able to buy back Fingask and Kinnaird. The baronetcy was restored to his son, Patrick (1762-1837), in 1826. Sir Patrick Threipland had married Jessy Kerr of Chatto (d 1855) in 1792 and in 1837 their son Sir Patrick Murray Threipland (b 1800) took the title of 5th, and last, baronet. On the death of Sir Patrick in 1882, the title became extinct and the estate passed to a cousin, William (b 1866), son of William Scott-Kerr (1807-1890) of Chatto and Sunlaws, who assumed the name of William Murray-Threipland.
When Colonel William Murray-Threipland died in 1942 the estates passed to his son, Major Patrick Wyndham Murray Threipland of Dryburgh Abbey, Berwickshire, who spent much of his time in Cardiff: his mother had inherited Newhouse in Llanishen.
In loving memory of William Murray Threipland DSO of Dale and Toftingall Caithness, born Sunlaws Roxburgh 21st December 1866 died Dryburgh Abbey 24th June 1942. Colonel Welsh Guards. The Regiment he raised at Kings Command Feb 1915
William-Scott Kerr, (second son of William of Sunlaws, Kelso and Chatto, Roxburgh), abandoned his patronymic and assumed the surname of Murray Threipland, on 30 April
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1882, after having inherited Fingask Castle and Dale House from an aunt. Having served in the Grenadier Guards, which he joined in 1887, seeing action in the Nile (1898), and South Africa (1899-1902), he became the founding colonel commanding of the Welsh Guards in February 1915, and was its Colonel from March 1937. He was a member of the Guards Club, and of Edinburgh's New Club. Educated in Edinburgh he was also resident at Dale House, Halkirk, Caithness and 11 Evelyn mansions, Carlisle place, SW1. He married in 1899 Charlotte Eleanor, co-heiress of William Wyndham Lewis, Esq, of The Heath, and New House,
Mr Stuart Wyndham (Tertius ) Murray Threipland
Born 1947, and brought up at The New House
Cardiff, Mr Murray Threipland was the last family
link with Thomas Lewis who built The New House
around 1735. Mr Murray Threipland sold the house
in 1979.
Having received his education from Eton College
(UK) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland), Mr Threipland
came to realise his passion for business. His
ventures would soon see him expand his activities
into various fields; including real estate, finance,
distribution and manufacturing. He partnered with
a Japanese publicly listed company (Kitagawa Iron
Works Ltd) and established his own engineering
firm (Kitagawa Europe Ltd) in the early 1980's. By
applying his industrial and trading knowledge , he
grew his company and its subsidiaries into an
internationally recognised brand name - capable of
catering not only to original manufacturers but also
to end users in all industrial areas. Mr Threipland's
entrepreneurial nature and management
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experience has driven him to engage in a number
of industrial and trading ventures in a variety of
industries, which currently cover not only
engineering, manufacturing and distribution, but
also real estate, and self and archive-storage.
Furthermore, he is Chairman Trustee of two
substantial Trust Foundations in the UK with
several philanthropic engagements. Mr Murray
Threipland still has business links with Cardiff
through the Wyndham Lewis Trust.
It is interesting to note that the census of 1881 does not record any Lewis’ living at New
House but a Mr Cubitt, His wife and brother in law. Several servants, including a
coachman named Mr Wood who lived at the ‘long barn’, supported them. From the
number of people living at New House, it is reasonable to believe that the extension of
the West wing or lounge area had been completed.
Before the house was sold in 1979, the owners made a concerted effort to find the ‘lost
silver’. So the legend goes, there was a new butler at the New House in the late 1700’s
and he was supposed to have made off with the booty but was caught less the silver
which was never found. The legend has it that the silver was buried at the long barn and
quite some effort was put into finding it, but alas to no avail. Treasure trove from earlier
times has been found on Wenallt Bridge about 500 yards away. Some old artifacts have
been found including some coins and knives and forks etc. A quantity of Spode pottery
dating from the 1770’s of good quality has been unearthed.
The Lewis’ owned a great proportion of the land nearby and all that in the coombe below
this range of hills local to the house.
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There are several farms, from East to West – Hill Farm, New House Farm, Pantysgawen
and Brynant Farm. The two fields directly below New House are called top and bottom
lawn.
The long barn to the east of New House was a contemporary building approximating to
6000 square feet overall. It comprises the stables of 12 horses, a large hay loft, two
cottages, tack room, store, 3 coach houses and various outhouses. It is understood that
several items including one of the coaches and manger from the long barn can be seen at
St. Fagans Welsh Folk Museum.
There was a market garden in the grounds of the long barn, this supplied food, fresh
vegetables and glasshouse fruits to the main house. There was an orchard and a large
green house with vines and subtropical fruit trees, several bamboo tree plantations that
used to provide materials for the gardeners.
There are many interesting trees in the grounds including a giant sequoias (this can grow
up to 360 feet high and can live for 4000 years). This tree is a wellintonian, has girth of
27 feet, is about 160 feet high and is 155 years old. It may be the only examples of this
type in Glamorgan as the other two have been taken down as unsafe (one at Parc Cefn
Onn and the other at Llandaff Boy’s School).
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The Sequoia tree – common names include California Redwood & Wellingtonia
It is an Evergreen living for up to 3,500 years, and this species includes the tallest trees on
Earth, reaching up to 379.1ft (115.5m) in height and 9 m (30ft) circumference.
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The Sequoia tree in the New House Hotel grounds, after which the restaurant is named,
has a circumference, at the breast height, of some 7 metres and is believed to be one of
the largest specimens in Wales
The restaurant at The New House Hotel is called Sequoias Restaurant after the Sequoia
tree in the hotel grounds.
Picture Gallery
In recent years film companies have used The New House including the BBC
Ariel shot of The New House, the bedroom block to the West of the house was started in the late 1980`s and finished in the early 1990`s.
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The Georgian Suite – built in 1999
The Wyndham Suite – built in the 1980`s perfect for weddings & conferences
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Town and Country Catering headed by Stephen Banks and team were delighted to cater for The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their recent Diamond Jubilee tour of Wales at the Orangery Margam on Thursday 26th April 2012.
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Town and Country Catering was established in 1992 and is run by Director Stephen Banks of the prestigious 4 star New House Country Hotel Cardiff. Each of the Town & Country Hotel Group assisted with staff and chef’s from the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge, Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, Bridgend and the Oscars Restaurants in Cowbridge and Cardiff assisting the team of Town & Country Catering. Stephen Banks commented ‘the team and I feel privileged to have been appointed as the caterers for this prestigious event. As part of the Town and Country Hotels group, we have over 20 years of experience and have catered for many different types of events. This however, has been the pinnacle of all our hard work’.
