2. Williams of Pitcot, St Brides Major

1877 map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland

Edward & Margaret Alice (1747-1824, born Bassett) Williams

Edward Williams lived in Pitcot, St Brides Major, Glamorgan and was a copyhold tenant of the Manor of Ogmore, a farmer, a Gentleman and a Coroner (associated with the Manor of Ogmore) as well as an attorney.

Margaret Alice Williams was born Margaret Alice Bassett in 1747 in Bristol - the daughter of Christopher and Alice Bassett, and generally known as Alice. She appears to be still living in Bristol when she was around 29 years old, at the time of her marriage.

1775-1804 Edward Williams was a customary tenant (also called copyhold tenant) of the Manor of Ogmore [ref: 013]. He attended many of the meetings of the Baron Court of the Lord of the Manor of Ogmore (namely Christopher Maunsel and later Thomas Wyndham Esq.). The court itself was presided over by the steward of the Manor (Edward Savours and later John Franklen Esq.). As a customary tenant of the Manor he signed off some of the property agreements decided by the court, and functioned as an attorney on behalf of some of the richer and more distant landowners of the Manor. Those customary tenants that actively supported, and gave allegiance to, the Lord of the Manor, were often rewarded with further lands, rights and favours. Edward Williams was documented in a number of Ogmore Manor court rolls and proceedings:

1775 cottage under copyhold of Philemon Williams as customary heir from his father Philemon Williams, and now in occupation of Catherine Gronow (widow). Despite a written petition from Philemon Williams, his copyhold rights to the property were ignored and the house was regranted by the court to William Evan, with the rights of Catherine Gronow crossed out. The copy was signed off by Edward Williams and William Mangell as customary tenants. Though the Lord of the Manor held absolute power to withhold and alter copyhold rights, it was unusual to do so. In this case Philemon Williams, who had moved to Bristol, did not attend in person and had proposed Attorneys (including Edward Williams) to act on his behalf - clearly there was some ill will remaining after he had left St Brides Major for Bristol!
1776 a house and garden in Southerndown, under the estate trustee/ administration/ guardianship of William Thomas was regranted by the Manor court to Edward Williams of St Brides Major as the estate trustee/ administrator/ guardian for David Thomas (shoemaker), his wife and son.
1794 has land in trust for William David.
1794 attorney for William Prichard
1794 recorded as paying 50 shillings as customary tenant
1802 joint attorney with David Hopkins to William Rees and Sir Gabriel Powell (Knight)
1802 Edward Williams, customary tenant, signatory to surrender (of copyhold) of cottage and garden in Pitcot by John Williams, farmer.
1804 mentioned as customary tenant

At some stage Edward Williams was appointed coroner for Ogmore Manor, an appointment possibly supported by his active support for the Lord of the Manor as one of the customary tenants. Ogmore was allowed its own coroner within Glamorgan county due to the manor being part of the duchy of Lancaster.

1776 Edward Williams marries Margaret Bassett in St Mary Radcliffe church, Bristol by licence. Church records state that Edward Williams was a 'Gentleman' from the parish of St Brides Major in the County of Glamorgan and Margaret Bassett was of this Bristol parish. The signatories were John Morgan (possibly a relative of her grandmother who was born Alice Morgan) and Philemon Williams.

1777 - Within the 1814 Indenture (essentially a contract) for the purchase of land at Cae Caradog [ref: 101] - there is a short summary of an earlier Indenture dated 1777 which states:

"WHEREAS - by Indentures of lease and release bearing date December 1777 and made or mentioned to be made between the said Edward Williams and Margaret his wife (party hereto) of the one part and Christopher Bassett of the parish of Penmark, Gentleman (since deceased) of the other part. It is witnessed that all of the several parcels of arable and pasture land ... being in the parish of Wick .. where 5 closes or parcels lie between and abut to the lands of John Burre Esquire, the lands of Mary Bennett and the lands of David Pritchard."

Edward and Margaret Williams likely gained the Cae Caradog land/ farmhouse as part of the dowry from Margaret's father, Christopher Bassett, who owned the land. But there is no evidence they themselves lived there, and they appeared to be living in Pitcot (also called Pitcott, Pitcoate and Pitcoed in older documents).

Baptisms to Edward and Margaret Williams at St Bridget's Church, St Brides Major. In the baptisms of these 7 children the title for Edward Williams as father is given as “Mr”:

1778 Mary Williams
1780 Elizabeth Williams
1781 Alice Margaret Williams
1783 Philemon Williams
1784 Christopher Bassett Williams
1785 Anne Williams
1786 Evan Morgan Williams

Hannah (b.1788) was a further child born to Edward and Margaret Williams, with no baptism record, who died age 22 and is buried at St Athan.

1787 Edward Williams of Pitcot, St Brides Major, Gentleman, is a Trustee for the arrangements for a marriage between Robert Davies of Old Castle upon Alun, Gentleman and Margaret Williams, daughter of Rev. Edmund Williams of St Brides Major. Edward's role as a trustee is 'to support and ensure the contingent uses and estates from being defeated or destroyed'. Edward received 5 shillings under the arrangements. Note - Robert Davies died later the same year, leaving everything to Margaret Davies, his new wife. [ref: 105]

1802 Christopher Bassett (father of Margaret Williams) gave power of attorney to Edward William of St Brides Major (Gentleman) - his son-in-law. [ref: 209]

1804 marriage ceremony of Edward and Margaret's son Philemon to Ann Smith at St Bridget's Church, St Brides Major (marriage by license). The witnesses were David Smith (presumably Ann's brother) and David Davies (a clerk at St Bridget's Church).

In her later years, and possibly after the death of her husband Edward, Margaret is seen to have moved back to Penmark, where her father used to live, and possibly back to his old house. Her daughter, Hannah, died age 22 in 1810 and was residing in Penmark. Her sister, Elizabeth Wall, also a widow, has also moved back to Penmark from Bristol. Margaret is close to her youngest son, Evan Morgan Williams, living in Llantwit Major.

1814 Dunraven Estate Records – Deeds, Wills, Receipts, etc relating to Cae Caradoc, the property of the family of Philemon Williams [ref: 106]. Indenture and agreement for purchase of farmland in Wick to Philemon Williams – confirms:

Philemon Williams being the eldest son and heir to Edward Williams, late of St Brides Major, and his wife Margaret Williams.
Philemon Williams to be married to Mary Thomas of Wallas in Parish of Ewenny – a reference to Wallas Farm in Ewenny. Her father is William Thomas, farmer.
One of the parties named is Margaret Williams, widow, parish of Penmark, Glamorgan who is Philemon's mother - and who had inherited a large part of the estate of her father Christopher Basset.
Purchase, through process of 'lease and release' of land by Margaret Williams and Philemon Williams from William Thomas (of Wallas Farm).

1814 Dec. Marriage of Philemon Williams and Mary Thomas at Ewenny Priory Church in Ewenny [ref: 003,005]. Witnessed by William Thomas (Mary's father) and Margaret Alice Williams (Philemon's mother).

1816 Sale of land in St Athans

Parties: (1) Christopher Bassett Williams of Coity yeoman and Mary his wife (2) Leyson Lougher of Monknash, farmer (father of Mary) (3) Rees Lougher also of Monknash a son of Leyson Lougher.
RECITING Christopher Bassett late of parish of Penmark, the grandfather of C. B. Williams, did by his last will made on 14 May 1802 give (amongst other lands) the pieces of land later mentioned in this deed to his daughter Margaret, then the wife of Edward Williams of parish of St Brides Major for her life and on her death to his grandson C. B. Williams and lawful heirs and in default of such issue to his grandsons Philemon Williams and Evan Morgan Williams and their heirs as tenants in common, which will was proved at Llandaff.
RECITING C.B. Williams and Mary Williams suffered a Common Recovery at the last Glamorgan Great Sessions (Margaret Williams having surrendered her life interest) for the purpose of barring the estate tail created by the will.
- Note: A common Recovery was a 'collusive action' - a fake legal procedure in the courts. Common recoveries were used to break entails (conditions stipulated in wills or settlements which limited the descent of freehold land to certain individuals) and transfer land. Once the common recovery had been achieved, this enabled it to be sold to somebody else, mortgaged, or settled in a new way.
AND RECITING L. Lougher had agreed to purchase C. B. Williams interest for consideration £210 sale.
All those pieces of land of Eight and a half acres in parcels known as the Red Lay (otherwise the Green Lay) of 3 acres and a parcel called the Five Acres near the Broadway AND a piece of land of half an acre lying between lands formerly of Christopher Roberts, Arnold Mathews and John Mathew deceased (but at that time in the hands of Morgan Deere, clerk, Rayer and the co heiresses of C. Bassett deceased) on some sides. All in the parish of St Athan with all rights etc. [Note the 2 co heiresses of C Bassett were his 2 surviving daughters, Margaret Williams and Elizabeth Wall.]

1824 Death of Margaret Williams, address is Aberthaw, Penmark, Cardiff. The Will of Margaret Williams (dated 1824) left everything to her youngest son Evan Morgan Williams (who was also the executor) and his family:

Evan Morgan Williams of Lantwit Major - dwelling house situated in Lantwit Major - and all rest, residue and remainder.
Evan's son Evan (junior) - silver tankard
Evan's daughter Anna - Mahogany Case of Drawers
Evan's daughter Margaret - Bedstead and furniture from best bedroom
Evan's son Edward - Mahogany bookcase

Monumental Inscription for Margaret Williams in St Athan church graveyard - where she lies with other members of the Bassett and Williams families - states:

"In memory of ... Mary daughter of Edward and Margaret Williams (granddaughter) of the above named Christopher and Alice Bassett who died June 2nd 1800 age 22 years. Also of Hannah their daughter who died March 11th 1810 aged 22 years. Also of Mary Alice daughter of Evan and Barbara Williams (grand-daughter) to the above named Edward and Margaret Williams who died September the 24th 1819, aged 4 years and also Margaret wife of the above named Edward Williams, Coroner, daughter of the above named 'Chr' and Alice Bassett"

Children of Edward and Margaret Alice Williams:

Mary Williams (1777-1800, buried St Athan, age 22)
Elizabeth Williams (b.1780)
Alice Margaret Williams (b. 1781) married Thomas Rees (b.1775) and had child Margaret (b. 1814)

Philemon Williams (1783-1856) - see Philemon and Mary Williams.
Christopher Basset Williams (1784-1837).

- 1810 Christopher Basset Williams married Mary Jane Lougher (b. 1786, originally from Llangyfelach) at Monknash, Glamorgan. Initially lived in St Brides Major and later in Aberavon. They had the following children:
  - Philemon (1818-1871) - register says he was a publican in St Brides Major
  - Elizabeth (1818-1891) - a twin to Philemon
  - Catherine
  - Leyshon
  - Edward
  - Mary Ann Williams (b. 1820) m. David John in 1835 at St Brides Major (Christopher Bassett Williams was a witness).
- 1816 Christopher sells his inherited St Athan assets, inherited from his grandfather Christopher Bassett, to his father-in-law, Leyson Lougher of Monknash.
- 1837 Christopher Basset Williams died in Margam, Neath, Glamorgan. Death certificate states he was a publican. Buried St Bridgets, St Brides Major. Certificate was signed off by David John, his son-in-law of Wick.
Anne Williams (b.1785)
Evan Morgan Williams (1786-1854)

- 1812 Evan Morgan Williams (of Penmark Parish) married Barbara Jones of Llantwit Major (born Flemingston 1791). Around 1817 they were living in Penmark (possibly with his mother, Margaret).
- 1824 Evan and family are sole beneficiaries of his mother's will (Margaret Williams of Penmark). It includes a house in Llantwit Major.
- Evan was a farmer leasing land and also a substantial house (Ham House) from the Nicoll family in 1840s. The house was later demolished and rebuilt in the gothic style for the Nicholl family between 1859-1863 and renamed "The Ham".

- Fields farmed and occupied by Evan Williams in 1840, these included the gardens and orchards of Ham House. Mr Iltyd Nicholl was the landlord and the total rentcharge was £28 and 12 shillings [ref: 104].

- Children of Evan and Barbara Williams
  - Anna Williams (1813-1875)
  - Mary Alice Williams (1814-1819, buried St Athan with other Williams and Basset family members)
  - Margaret Williams (b.1817)
  - Evan Williams (1819-1893). Married Betsy Jenkins (1825-1892) in 1849 in Bristol.
  - Edward Williams (b.1821)
  - Christopher Edward Williams (b.1823)
  - David Williams (1827-1888)

Hannah (1788-1810, buried St Athan)