Maesarddafen

Notable Houses in and around Llanelli

Maesdarddafen

The area known as Maesarddafen, now almost entirely occupied by the Trostre Works, was probably part of a Welsh Maenor in the commote of Carnwallon (Carnwyllion), being farmland that had already been settled before the Norman occupation in the early 12th century.

Maesarddafen Fawr and Maesarddafen Fach farms were situated on ground that was slightly raised and was probably used for pasture.

In 1700 Maesarddafen Farm was the property of Walter Vaughan, one of the Vaughans of Golden Grove, and passed to the Right Honourable John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery who died in 1713. When the Earl died John Vaughan’s only daughter, Lady Anne Vaughan, inherited the farm. Lady Anne married and became the Duchess of Bolton and died childless in 1751.

Maesarddafen passed from the Duchess to her kinsman John Vaughan of Shenfield Place, Essex. John was her cousin, and the great grandson of William Vaughan of Golden Grove and Torycoed.

The property remained with the Vaughan family, passing to Richard Vaughan of Golden Grove and then to his son, John Vaughan, also of Golden Grove.

Finally Maesarddafen was released for sale, when the Golden Grove Estate was in financial difficulties and John Vaughan was forced to sell some of his land to pay off his creditors.

John Rees, described as ‘butcher’ of Cwmydduche, now known as Furnace, purchased Maesarddafen Farm from John Vaughan in 1785. Vaughan died in 1804 and his estate passed to E W R Shewen Mansel of Stradey. In 1805, John Rees, described as ‘Gentleman’ of Cwmydduche and Maesarddafen, purchased additional land at Maesarddafen from E W R Mansel.

John Rees is known to have had at least two sons, one named William Rees, born 1 January 1776, also lived at Maesarddafen, was known as the ‘Elder’, and was one of the original Trustees to the Burgesses of Llanelli in 1807 and 1810. His other son, John Rees born in 1778, died in infancy

William Rees the Elder (born in 1775), bought Gelli Farm, Bryn, in 1813, and when he died in 1858 he left the Gelli Farm to his son also named William, born in 1809, and known as William the Younger.

Rees the Elder’s elder son John Rees, born in 1807, married Mary Bonville of Bwlch Farm, Bynea, and they lived at Maesarddafen until John built Forest Villa which was situated a little north of the present day Social Clubhouse belonging to Trostre Works. Forest Villa burned down in the 1980s.

In 1847 William Rees the Younger built Glandafen House, situated near the Great Marsh, Morfa Mawr, and moved to Gelli House in the mid-1850s and purchased land and properties in the Llwynhendy, Bynea, Bryn and surrounding district.

All these acquisitions became known as the Gelli Estate and was one of the largest in the Llanelli area, administered by William Rees who became known as Squire Rees by the local population.

John and Mary Rees died childless and John’s interest in Maesarddafen reverted to his brother William Rees the Younger of Gelli House, Bryn, in 1871.

In 1874 William Rees The Younger opened Maesarddafen Colliery which was a few hundred yards north of Maesarddafen Fach Farm. The mine’s workings are below the lower slopes of the hill, north of Trostre Works under land where the Council Houses of Cefncaeau were built to the south of the old Llanelli to Swansea Road. Later workings up to 1885 were further up the hill, at one point crossing under the main road, near where the Llwynhendy Clinic is today [2002], about 200 yards west of the junction of the main road and Maesarddafen Road. The colliery and sidings were closed in 1888.

Rees the Younger, who became known as Squire Rees of Gelli House, Bryn, died in 1894 and Maesarddafen Farm as part of the Gelli Estate was administered by his son William John Rees (1865-1947). His other son, John Smith Rees, married Elizabeth Edwards of Cefn Farm, Bynea, in 1892 and they lived at Capel Isaf House, Capel.

William John Rees married Minnie Maude Smallman of West Bromwich in 1896 and built Uplands for his new bride. Maesarddafen was let out to tenants until the property was eventually sold.

Finally, in October 1952, Trostre Works, the most modern tinplate plant in the world at the time, built on Maesarddafen farmlands, was opened. During the construction of the tinplate plant, other farmhouses and cottages were earmarked for destruction but Maesarddafen Fach Farm was saved and the Steel Company of Wales adapted it for use as a reception centre for visiting executives. The slate roof was replaced with thatch, the interior was redecorated and filled with furnishings and ornaments from farmsteads and manor houses throughout the country. The old farmhouse was renamed ‘The Cottage’, and can be seen from the link road leading from Berwick roundabout.

Census details

1841 Maesarddaven (Maesarddafen)

William Rees Widower 60 Farmer Llanelly

John Rees 30 Farmer Llanelly

Mary Rees 25 Llanelly

William Humphreys 12 Llanelly

Henry Williams 6 Llanelly

Mary Williams 2 Llanelly

David Rees 20 Male Servant Llanelly

John Morris 18 Male Servant Llanelly

John Rees 12 Male Servant Llanelly

Jane Jones 20 Female Servant Llanelly

Mary Edwards 18 Female Servant Llanelly

Hannah Morgan 17 Female Servant Llanelly

1851 Maesarddafen

William Rees The Elder 76

John Rees 44 Partner in his father’s farm

William Humphries 22 Grandson and farmer’s son

Margaret Williams G/daughter 14

Sarah Williams G/daughter 11

Servants

Thomas Jones 19 Agricultural Labourer

Henry Rees 16 Agricultural Labourer

Daniel Jones 13 Shepherd Boy

Margaret Bevan 21 House and Farm Servant

Ann Christopher 19 House and Farm Servant

For further information on Maesarddafen Fawr, Maesarddafen Fach and Ynys Farm houses see The History of Bynea and Llwynhendy by the Local History Group published April 2000.