Raby’s two sons lived close by; Arthur Turnour Raby at Caemawr Cottage (which burned down in 1824) and Alexander Raby junior at Brynmôr (Bryn-y-môr, also known as Bryn-ar-y-môr), where Stradey Park Hotel stands today.

Alexander and his son Arthur faced financial ruin in 1821, but Richard Janion Nevill, under the auspices of the Copperworks, loaned the family money and agreed to maintain Furnace House (and his son Arthur’s property, Caemawr Cottage), supply coal for the fires, and provide the keep for one horse.

On 30 November 1823 Alexander Raby severed his links with Llanelli and moved to his son’s Manor House at Burcott, near Wells in Somerset. According to reports he was often seen walking the streets of Bath.

It was probably around this time that Henry Child (junior) (1771-1831) became the next occupant of Furnace House. His sister Maria had married James Buckley, a Wesleyan supporter, described as ‘itinerant preacher’ in 1798.

In 1799 Henry Child (senior) was widowed and his son-in-law James Buckley and daughter Maria were conscious of his need for them to live nearer to him. Child senior died in 1824 followed by Maria and Henry junior in 1831. James was known to have lived at Furnace House when he retired in 1832, by which time his health was beginning to deteriorate. Before James Buckley died in 1839 he built and moved to a new house at Cilfig with a brewing kitchen, pig sty, hen roosts and stables and was cared for by his daughters Elizabeth, Catherine and Maria.

The 1841 census shows that No 1 Furnace House was occupied by a merchant named Robert Dunkin, aged 45, and No 2 Furnace House was occupied by John Williams aged 55 a collector of taxes. Ten years later, in 1851, occupancy of Furnace House had changed and the once grand Mansion was let out to various tenants.

During 1861 Charles Henry Ross, a Royal Navy Commander and Harbour Master, occupied part of Furnace House with his family. Josiah Jameson Letcher, described as Colliery Agent had moved from New Road and also lived at Furnace House. It was Josiah Letcher’s daughter Isabella who later became the matron of Llanelli Hospital.

By 1871 the new Baronetcy had been created and Sir John Cowell Stepney had regained possession of the estates lost when his uncle Sir John Stepney, 8th Baronet, had left his property to named inheritors. Sir John and Lady Euphemia Stepney renamed Furnace House ‘The Dell’ and made it their Llanelli residence when they were ‘in town’. Lady Stepney died in 1874 and Sir John retired from public life.

His son, known as Sir Arthur, who had been a Foreign Office diplomat for about 20 years decided to retire from the Foreign Office and entered politics, succeeding his father as Liberal candidate for the Carmarthen Boroughs. When the Stepney family were not resident in Llanelli, Agents managed The Dell.

In 1875 Sir Arthur married Lady Margaret Leicester, daughter of Lord de Tabley, and in the following year their only daughter Catharine Meriel Cowell Stepney was born. Sir Arthur decided that his future was abroad and did not stay with his wife and child in Britain.

During the absence of the Stepney family land agents occupied and looked after The Dell.

During February 1893 a newspaper report describes how a ‘Grand Ball’ was held at The Dell at the invitation of Mr and Mrs W J Wilson, and a large number of guests were driven to the residence during the evening. The scene along New Road was said to be ‘unusual and animated with the traffic composed of closed carriages’. Most of the gentry in the neighbourhood were said to be present, dancing in the large hall until quite late. Sir Arthur died in 1909 and his daughter Catharine inherited his estates. Miss Catharine Meriel Stepney married Sir Edward Stafford Howard in 1911 and they rebuilt Cilymaenllwyd in 1913.

When Sir Edward died in 1916 Lady Catharine persuaded her widowed mother (Lady Margaret Leicester Cowell Stepney) to make Cilymaenllwyd, Pwll, her home. Cilymaenllwyd then became the family residence at Llanelli. The family had other residences, including one at Woodend, Ascot, Berkshire.

Schedule of Deeds

Lease of “Furnace House” etc in the Parish of Llanelly in the County of Carmarthen

Assignment by way of Mortgage of leasehold premises

29/9/1859

Conveyance of leasehold premises called The Furnace House situated in the Parish of Llanelly in the County of Carmarthen

Surrender of the above premises to C W M Lewis Esquire

30/7/1873

Counterpart Lease of a Messuage with the Stables, Coachhouse, Garden & appurtenances called Furnace House situated at Llanelly in the County of Carmarthen

25/10/1883

Surrender of Lease dated 20/7/1873

Whereas the within named Sir John Stepney Cowell Stepney Baronet died on 23 May 1877

Lease vend in Sir E A A K Stepney has applied to and requested the within names C W M Lewis to build a Stable Coachhouse and Loft adjacing.

1883

Old Lease surrendered and new lease negotiated.

Sir E A A K Stepney agreed to pay from 29/9/1879

Addition rent of £20 11s 0d

1883 Lease dated 26/10/1883

C W Mansel Lewis Esquire and Sir E A A K Stepney

Copy Draft Lease of Messuage with the Stables Coachhouse, Garden and appurtenances called Furnace House situated in Llanelly in the County of Carmarthen.

From 21/6/1883

Term 21 years

Expiry 24/6/1904

Rent £80 11s 0d per annum