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Notable Houses in and around Llanelli

Buwchllaethwen (formerly Moch-y-Llaethwen)

also known as Plas Llangennech or Llangennech House

Buwchllaethwen, was a large mansion house, once situated in a copse just north of Llangennech village, not far from Llanelli. A tall two-storey house, Buwchllaethwen had five windows, a wing at the back, and its prominent position made it a landmark for mariners navigating the Burry Estuary.

The house was first built during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), and from 1572 it was occupied by Thomas Morgan David ap John, Gentleman.

By 1614, Buwchllaethwen was occupied by Griffith Penry, the son of Lewis Penry, a descendant of Sir Elidir Ddu, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Griffith Penry, had purchased Buwchllaethwen, which was then known as Moch-y-Llaethwen and other properties, from Thomas Lloyd and his wife Maud of Alltycadno. The Lloyds of Alltycadno were descended from Jenkin Lloyd of Blaiddbwell, Pembrokeshire.

Griffith Penry who was High Sheriff in 1630, died in 1640, and left his Estate to his only daughter and heiress, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Penry married Daniel Lloyd of Blaenhiraeth, and their second son, also called Daniel Lloyd, married Elizabeth Lloyd, the daughter of Francis Lloyd of Llanstephan.

Daniel and Elizabeth settled at Buwchllaethwen and had a daughter, Anne Lloyd, their only child, who married her cousin, Henry Lloyd of Llanstephan. Anne and Henry Lloyd had a son called Lewis Lloyd, who became High Sheriff in 1654.

Lewis Lloyd married Elinor Evans, the daughter of David Evans of Llechwedd Deri, Cardiganshire. Lewis died before Elinor, because records of 1670 show that Buwchllaethwen, which contained 6 hearths, was in the possession of Mrs Elinor Lloyd, widow of Lewis Lloyd.

Two other squires named John Lloyd, who lived at Buwchllaethwen, became High Sheriff in 1674 and 1697.

From 1689-90 John Lloyd, Gentleman of Buwchllaethwen, was responsible for collecting ‘hearth taxes’ which were originally imposed by Charles II (1660-85) and Parliament.

In 1718, Elinor Lloyd, only child of John Lloyd, of Buwchllaethwen, married John Stepney of Llanelli, and six years later in 1724, when her father died, she inherited his estates. Elinor and John Stepney had four children before she died in 1734, at the young age of 32. They were Mary, Justina, Thomas Stepney, and John Vaughan Stepney, who died on 7 April 1730, aged 3 years 2 months and 3 days.

John Stepney later became, Sir John Stepney, 6th Baronet, when his father, Sir Thomas Stepney, 5th Baronet died in 1744. When Sir John died in 1748, his surviving son, became Sir Thomas Stepney 7th Baronet, who took an active part in the industrialisation of Llanelli. Although Buwchllaethwen, was described as a seat of Sir Thomas Stepney, he did not reside at the Mansion, which later passed to his son Sir John Stepney 8th Baronet. Sir John Stepney, 8th Baronet had been involved in politics for many years and lived abroad serving as a foreign diplomat. His estates were managed by Agents and his many properties were rented out.

Records of 1758 show the Mansion as being 65 acres and lands adjoining the mansion as being 8 acres.

By 1795 Buwchllaethwen was known as Llangennech House, and the adjacent land as Llangennech Park, which covered 72 acres.

The Mansion and land was rented out to George Barlow Esq., at a yearly rent of £8, and the adjacent Llangennech Park, was rented to Mr Griffiths, who paid a yearly rental of £47 10s.

The grand old Mansion House finally became a ruin after 1802 when John Symmons, the last tenant, moved out. A completely new residence was built later and given the name Llangennech Park.

Source

Historic Carmarthenshire Homes and their Families – Final Edition, Frances Jones, 1997, Brawdy Books.

Buwchllaethwen