{"id":1201,"date":"2020-09-21T08:12:09","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T07:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/williamsfamilytree.uk\/pw\/?page_id=1201"},"modified":"2020-11-30T10:51:10","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T10:51:10","slug":"taid-and-hen-taid","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/williamsfamilytree.uk\/pw\/taid-and-hen-taid\/","title":{"rendered":"Taid and Hen Taid"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Taid and Hen Taid<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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A shorter edited version of this story can be found in Gwreiddiau Gwynedd Roots<\/a> No. 79 Autumn \/ Winter 2020<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Captain Owen Williams and John Davies Williams<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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of<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Aberdyfi<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Views of old Aberdyfi<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Loading
Loading at the wharf<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"D.W.
D.W. Morgan (left) and Richard O. Richards on the round seat<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Before
Aberdyfi before the wharf was built<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The railway bridge at the station end of Aberdyfi<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Penhelyg
Penhelyg harbour<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi in 1834 - from Brief Glory by D.W. Morgan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Croquet
Croquet on the lawn of the Corbett<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi sea front in 1895<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Richard
Richard O. Richards with Mary, Phyllis and D.W. Morgan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The 'Square' from Pen-y-Bryn<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Fishing
Fishing boats and cutters at the wharf<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Tanting
Tanting on the Dyfi - netting salmon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Views from a recent stay at Tyddyn Rhys Farm<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"You
You don't see one of these every day<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"A
A bathtub with an exceptional view<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"A
A yacht race<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Afon
Afon Dyfi and Afon Leri<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Afon
Afon Leri - diverted in 1824 to form a harbour<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Cwm
Cwm Maethlon Chapel where some of our family are buried<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Looking
Looking out to sea at Cardigan Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Looking
Looking out towards Ynyslas and Borth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Overlooking
Overlooking Aberdyfi from Tyddyn Rhys Farm<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The boats are a lot smaller nowadays<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The mouth of the Dyfi - my campervan in the middle of the picture<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The resident buzzard<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The rolling hills from Panorama Walk<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"The
The tide is well out - you can almost walk across the river<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"There
There are still some fishing boats around<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Tide
Tide coming in by the old lifeboat slipway<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>
\"Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi from Tyddyn Rhys Farm<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Tyddyn Rhys Farm<\/a> is run by a Welsh speaking family and is situated above the beautiful village of Aberdyfi within walking distance of the beach, pubs, restaurants, and shops. They have 2 double bedrooms, both en-suite, and a luxurious caravan available. Click here<\/a> to go to the Tyddyn Rhys website and book a holiday so that you can enjoy views like this yourself.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The picturesque village of Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) started life as a fishing community with herring and salmon just two of the many species attracted to the Dyfi estuary. “Where the mountains meet the sea” is a phrase often associated with Aberdyfi, but the village also has the advantage of being on a river. This idyllic situation allowed the community to grow from a sleepy fishing village into a thriving port with much coming and going of large ships bringing in food and building materials, as well as foreign commodities such as tea, tobacco, and wines, whilst taking away oak bark and timber, copper and lead ore and of course slate. Fishing continued and a large shipbuilding industry grew up on both sides of the river at a number of locations including Ynyslas, and Penhelig. Sadly, following the arrival of the railway in 1867, Dyfi shipbuilding and fishing industries started to slowly decline as it became possible for commodities and people to be transported to and from the now famous seaside resort more efficiently.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Captain Owen Williams<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Captain Owen Williams (1838-1934) enjoying his retirement in Aberdyfi.
(Geraint Lloyd Owens)<\/i><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Owen Williams<\/strong><\/a> (1838-1924), my Hen Taid (Great Grandfather) was born during the shipping heyday of the village. He was the seventh of ten children raised by John Williams<\/a> (1797-1865) and Mary Lewis<\/a> (1804-1876). John worked on Pwll-Helyg farm((Pwll-Helyg farm is situated 600m north-east of Penhelyg Halt – see map<\/a>.)) at the time of Owen’s birth but later became the local Ferryman.<\/p>

Owen first found work as an Errand Boy in the Corbet Arms Hotel((The Corbet Arms Hotel and Post House<\/a> was built in 1827 and rebuilt in grandoise form after the coming of the railway in 1864.)) where, no doubt, he heard exciting tales from the seafaring folk who acquainted themselves of the landlord, Josiah Higgs’, ales((1851 Census for Aberdyfi<\/a> – HO107 Piece 2495 Folio 224 Page 10)). It was no wonder he felt the call of the sea.<\/p>

At the age of 21 Owen, by now an accomplished Mariner, married Elizabeth Davies<\/a>, a Mariner’s daughter from Borth, at St. David’s Church in Liverpool((Marriage Certificate<\/a> for Owen Williams and Elizabeth Davies)). The home of the Beatles played a very big part in the life of the family but not for anything particularly musical. Many of the vessels built on the banks of the Dyfi, and those that sailed to and from the village, ended up in the Lancashire port from time to time, along with their crew.<\/p>

By 1861 Owen was Master of the Star<\/em>, a 45 ton smack employed in the coasting trade. He went on to become Master and part-owner of a number of vessels during the course of his career.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Owen is mentioned in the book ‘A Real Little Seaport’ by Lewis Lloyd((A Real Little Seaport, The Port of Aberdyfi and Its People 1565-1920 – Two volumes: ISBN 1 874786 48 8 and ISBN 1 874786 49 6)) as being a Master Mariner and Trinity Pilot. Owen was discharged from the Kate<\/em> of Liverpool at Liverpool on 3rd March 1869. Lewis goes on to say that Owen was a share owner in, and the first Master of, the Catherine<\/em>, a 76 ton schooner built at Llyn Bwtri, near Pennal, on the river Dyfi and registered at Aberystwyth No. 2 in 1869.<\/p>

Owen became Master of the 94 ton schooner, Maglona<\/em>, in 1876 but as he was uncertificated he commanded the Maglona<\/em> in the home and coasting trade and shipped qualified commanders for foreign-going engagements.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Schooner Catherine<\/i>: Master Captain Owen Williams
(From Brief Glory by D.W. Morgan)<\/a><\/i><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Maglona<\/i> commanded by Captain Owen Williams<\/a> and Captain David Richards
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Owen took command of another new vessel, the Olive Branch, the last seagoing vessel to be built at Aberdyfi, in 1880 and in the 1881 Census((1881 Census for Aberdyfi<\/a> – RG11 Piece 5417 Folio 61 Page 8)), at the age of 43, he was aboard this 99 ton schooner in Milford Haven along with his crew consisting of John Evans<\/a>, 22, Mate (Aberdyfi), William Perry, 25 Able-bodied Seaman (London), Richard Hughes, 19 Able-bodied Seaman (Aberdyfi), and the Boy, John Cook, 16 (London).<\/p>

Lewis Lloyd points out that Owen must have been well trusted by the owners of the three new vessels he commanded. Owen was Master of the Olive Branch<\/em> for the run from Antwerp to London in February of 1881 and in the home and coasting trade to May 1881. Owen then became a Purser for the princely sum of \u00a34 a month under Captain Thomas Walters for a voyage from Limerick to Cadiz and thence to Newfoundland and then homewards by way of Genoa. He was subsequently Boatswain and Purser for voyages to St. John’s, Newfoundland and was finally discharged from the Olive Branch<\/em> at Port Talbot on 3rd March 1884.<\/p>

\"Loss
Loss of the Olive Branch<\/i>
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Headstone for Elizabeth<\/a>, first wife of Captain Owen Williams<\/a>, in Cwm Maethlon (Happy Valley) cemetery. Their daughter, Jane Ellen<\/a>, was also buried here((Coffadwriaeth
am
Elizabeth,
Anwyl briod Capt. Owen Williams,
Olive Branch, Aberdovey.
yr hon a hunodd yn yr Iesu
Mawrth 13eg. 1882, yn 43
mlwydd oed.
Canys y mae yn gyfyng arnaf o'r dden-tu, gan fod gennyf chwant i'm dattod, ac i fod gyda Christ; canys llawer iawn gwell ydyw.

Hefyd
Jane Ellen Williams,
merch yr uchod
A hunodd Rhag 21, 1962.
Yn 86 mlwydd oed.)).
(Phil Williams)<\/i><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Owen’s wife, Elizabeth, died in 1882 and Captain Owen’s ship the Olive Branch<\/em> is referred to on her gravestone in Cwm Maethlon (Happy Valley) cemetery, near Tywyn.<\/p>

Owen obviously came home quite a bit too as he fathered ten children by Elizabeth:<\/p>