Gilwern, Monmouthshire

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  April Headstone - The Ellis Family
  Robert Ellis was born to Thomas and Mary Ellist and baptised in March 1797 in Shifnal, Shropshire. He would later become a Mill Agent where his life would unfold amidst the industrial landscape of the 19th century.
• Visit to Gwent Archives
  The Family & Social History Group had a very interesting and useful visit to Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale last Monday. We were fortunate to be shown around by Rhiannon Phillips, the Education & Outreach Archivist who explained to us how the centre is run, how artefacts are restored and organised together with the facilities… Read more: Visit to Gwent Archives
• Daffodils at St Elli Churchyard
  Thank you, John, for these beautiful photos - Spring has definitely arrived. Special thanks to the Churchyard Chums for all their hard work keeping the churchyard clear and the graves accessible.
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  March Headstone - F144 David James Evans
  A sad St David's day on 1st March 1927 for Llanelly Hill resident David James Evans' friends and family. We follow the life of David, who, like his father and brothers, toiled in the local mines. His life was tragically cut short in the 1st March 1927 Marine Colliery disaster, leaving behind his wife Ellen… Read more: March Headstone - F144 David James Evans
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  February Headstone - A19 Major T Lawrence, Dr Evan & Louisa Parry, Anna Pyne
  The Lawrence and Pyne families' story spans over a century, beginning with Thomas Lawrence’s military service, including the defense of the Îles St-Marcou in 1798. His sister, Ann Maria Louisa, married naval officer Henry Pyne, and their daughter Louisa wed surgeon Evan Parry. Across generations, the family’s journey unfolds through military valour and medical dedication culminating in their lasting legacy in Llanelly and beyond.
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  January Headstone - F88 Lewis & Mary Leonard
  Explore the life of Lewis Leonard, a Welsh-speaking collier and iron worker. Their story highlights their Welsh heritage and humble but important contributions to their community.
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  December Headstone - D14a Elias, Elias James, Mary Ann & Ellen GRIFFITHS.
  This story captures the life of a working-class Welsh family, marked by hard work, loss, and the dangerous realities of coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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  November Headstone - C20 William & Mary LUTHER, Bronwen LUTHER, C21 Jennet, Martin & Margaret Ann LUTHER
  A coal mining family from Llanelly Hill.
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  October Headstone - Elizabeth & John Stowell
  Through their story, we see a reflection of their era: the importance of the canals to Welsh industry,the changing nature of work, and the endurance of family bonds. From canal boatman to machineman, from newlyweds to grandparents, John and Elizabeth Stowell's lives paint a picture of a WelshVictorian working-class family.
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  September Headstone - Meredith-Daniel Family
  The Meredith-Daniel family, another story of hardship and resilience.
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  August Headstone - Joshua, Martha & Mary Ann Vaughan
  Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced byfamilies in 19th century industrial Wales and the progress we've made in public health andchild welfare over the past century.
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  July Headstone - Lewis & Martha Probert
  From humble beginnings as a 10-year-old ironstone miner (born in Myrtle Cottage, Gilwern) to Principal of Bala-Bangor Congregational College.
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  June Headstone - Elizabeth, William, John & Mary Walbeoff
  The 1841 Census shows John, age 60, living with his eight children at Dan-y-lan, Llanelly Parish and the 1851 Census shows John, age 70, still working as a labourer and now living at Harewell Rock, Llanelly Parish with his two sons Lewis and Frederick and daughter Christina. Can anyone identify the location of these two… Read more: June Headstone - Elizabeth, William, John & Mary Walbeoff
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  May Headstone - Major T L Lawrence, Dr Evan Parry, Louisa and Anna Pyne
  Major Lawrence, a retired Major/farmer lived at Duffryn Mawr, Lower Common, Gilwern (now a wedding venue) and Dr Evan Parry a GP/Surgeon lived at Ivy Towers and Pen y Dre, Crickhowell. Dr Parry's wife Louisa and his sister Anna are also interred here. Two families linked by marriage.
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  April Headstone - Anne, Solomon & Maria Chilton
  This grave is an example of a family who were not born in this area, (Anne was born in London and Chilton in Shropshire) but undoubtedly moved here for work. Solomon was a mine agent/contractor and clearly became proactive in local affairs in his later years being elected to the Board of Health and other… Read more: April Headstone - Anne, Solomon & Maria Chilton
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  March headstone - Lt Col Robert Preston Sandeman & Jessy
  This is an interesting headstone with a carving of a sleeping dog at the foot of the cross - more information in the file below. The grave can be easily viewed via the gate on the left-hand side of Church Road as you go up to the church from the Gilwern direction. Lt Col Sandeman… Read more: March headstone - Lt Col Robert Preston Sandeman & Jessy
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  February headstone - Meredith Kenvin
  For the first headstone to feature in our monthly update I have chosen the grave of a local man Meredith Kenvin who died in 1865 aged 71 years. You will see that he lived and worked at the Clydach Iron Works before moving to Aberbaiden. He was employed as an "iron baller". I have found… Read more: February headstone - Meredith Kenvin
• Living Stones - January Update
  This is proving to be a challenging, yet fascinating project and we are making good progress. There are 5 plots around the churchyard (A - E) and we estimate there are almost 1,000 graves. Progress at the start was slow due to access problems and many headstones being very difficult to read. We are indebted… Read more: Living Stones - January Update

Page last updated on 5th December 2024